Another Question

Ok.Yes I know smoking is bad!!!And yes I know I should quit!!!I went on the patch back in Dec.Was doin good after the 1st month.But I can`t get rid of these cravings no matter what I do.I cheated now and then untill recently I went back up to 3 a day then 5 a day.I`ve put on 15 or more pounds since I quit. now when I get stressed out I want more.It`s been one h-ll of an emotional roller coaster and I`m tired of the fight.I want my cigarettse back.Has anyone had Dr.Shayani tell them they (HAVE)to quit smoking before he will do the lap band? KimberlyB

I do not know what that particular doctor's protocol is but I can tell you this that almost ALL surgeons will want you to have quit before your surgery. The nicotine has horrible effects on the body during surgery. Not only your breathing but your rate of healing PO. A smoker heals slower. A smoker has a greater chance of developing pnemonia PO. A smoker has a greater risk of developing a blood clot and an ulcer PO. Bad coughing early out could cause a hernia which means more surgery later on down the line. Another thing you do not want to be hacking up a lung after your surgery, it hurts to cough afterwards and they make you cough while you are still in the hospital. Now couple that with the fact that the cigarette causes more coughing, ouch. Just be aware that they can do a blood gas test on you to see if you have quit. Do not be heart broken when you get to the hospital and they cancel your surgery because you have not quit. I have seen that heartbreak on many of the boards here when that happened. You are going to have enough problems with withdrawal of foods, let alone withdrawing from nicotine. Now, finally you would not let a baby smoke would you? That is exactly what you will have is a baby stomach and you do not want to be giving it nicotine. I will get off of my soap box, but I encourage you to get all the help you can afford to quit smoking and stay smoke free before and after your surgery. Not only for your health but look at the costs involved in it, for what for it to go up in smoke? Chris

You may need to talk to your doctor to get more help that just using the patch. There are other medications out there that may benefit you. I have been a home health nurse for 20 years. People that smoke have far greater risks of complications, as in surgical incisions breaking open, having to be on the ventilator longer after surgery. Surgeons know this and that's why the quit smoking rule. I've been a smoker and know it is a powerfull addiction. My husband still smokes. It is a constant battle for me not to have one, so I understand what you are going through. My "deal" with him is if I have the surgery and loose the weight he has to quit.

I do not have that doctor but my doctor that did the lap-band refused to do any surgeries on people that were smoking. You have to stop smoking like 2 months before the surgery and stay that way.

Thanks so much everyone for replying to this post.I WILL be making an appt.to see my Dr.this week to get further help on this smoking issue.I have been kicking myself every time i pick one up.Which the last too days I`ve probably smoked 10 or more a day.I curse the people that invented cigarrettes.I`ve lived with smokers all my life and started at age 12.I`m now 40.I wish I could sue the companies for tempting and targeting under aged kids way back then and for me not being able to quit now.But one way or another I will kick it in the BUTT!!!Because I`ve come too far to have this surgery and I`m not about to let anything ruin it for me.Thanks again KimberlyB