New to site

Thread Starter  

HI I am new to this site. I have just received insurance approval. My surgey is scheduled later this month. I guess I am scared but more excited than anything. I have one question,. My doctor wants me to quit smoking prior to the surgery. I think that trying to quit 2 major addictions at the same time could be self defeating. Any ideas??

I quit 8 months before, specifically because what you say is true. Attacking 2 addictions at once is pretty tough. However, your surgery and subsequent healing time will definitely be effected if you choose not to quit at this time.

Welcome to the board!! Congrats on your approval!

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Lapband -5-27-2003 Albert Wetter, San Francisco
Rebanded due to slippage - July, 2004 Frank Veninga - Dallas, Texas
Gallbladder removed - August, 2004
Revised to RNY - Dec, 27, 2007 Wade Barker - Dallas, Texas

Beginning - 250
Current - 175
Goal - 135

Welcome! THe best advice I can think of is to come here when you need support or even need to vent... everyone at LBT will be there for ya!

Darcy

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Darcy

Banded 6/30/04
Highest Weight-257
Lowest weight- 8lbs 6 ounces at birth
Current-226

Welcome to the board. Lucky you to have insurance to cover your surgery! I can't even suggest an idea for the smoking decision. I've never had to wrestle that demon. Thank goodness. Good luck with whatever you decide. :)

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Becky
6/03/04
Dr. Cirangle

I havent had the band yet but Im thinking... correct me if im wrong but he could want you to quit before because of the Anesthesia, Im a smoker and have had surgery before with anesthesia and it hurt after really bad... so i bet it hurts worse with this surgery I could be wrong... Im going Friday to see my Dr. and i will see what he says about my smoking I will let you know..
Take Care

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April 28, 2005
Reband - August 31, 2006
Dr. James Smith Pueblo, CO
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I'd like to hear the honest truth about this, the smoking and the alcohol....

not what they say is supposed to be said, but the truth, you know....nothing but the truth:

as the bandsters know it. . .

Im a smoker and I drink... but i guess since i havent had the band i cant help you... i have my appt Friday... i will learn more then. Good luck find your answers that you need..

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April 28, 2005
Reband - August 31, 2006
Dr. James Smith Pueblo, CO
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I'm a smoker and did not quit prior to surgery. One of the main reasons they want you to quit prior to surgery is so you will heal faster and better.

Actually my nutritionalist told me not to try and quit smoking if Iam going to try and lose weight, she said trying to quit 2 addictions at once will be difficult.

After surgery I had no desire to soke while I was swollen and al lgassy..it was 3 weeks later that I felt like smoking..I know I know, why did I start back up again after going 3 weeks without it..I'm asking myself the same thing. I tried to quit New Years day and had a neating frenzt like a pack of wolves..so I decided I'd rather smoke then eat right now, atleast until I get to goal then I will re-evaluate

I don't smoke but I do drink alcohol. I have been enjoying myself too much over the holidays. It did not make me sick or anything but has stopped my weight loss cold. I guess this was what the warning about "drinking calories" was all about. I'm back on the wagon (well, maybe not totally lol).

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Deb
8/16/04 Dr. Abkin
220/172/125

My surgeon told me that the main reason for quitting smoking before the surgery was because of the anesthesia and the possible problems that could occur if you smoke. I, luckily, quit years ago and only partake on occassion but he said that if I had any inkling to do so before I had the surgery, to think twice about it, especially since I already had sleep apnea and that, in itself would provide it's own set of problems. In fact, I had to spend my aftercare in the ICU because of my difficulty in coming out of the anesthesia. My suggestion is that if you can stop now, before the surgery, then you should at least try. I'm the type that would rather quit it all cold turkey than allow one excessive behavior to transfer itself to another. I quit the food, diet coke (my worst bad habit) and drinking alcohol all together and I am definately feeling the better for it. Anyway, maybe you could just try to quit for now, for the surgery itself, and if it gets too hard after, well, then. I think the benefit will be that you allowed your body to be as healthy as possible during such a strenuous time.

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Melissa
banded 10/19/2004
Dr. Tiesenga
Oak Park, IL
368 at surgery/290 now:cry /199 goal
1st fill 12/2/2004 .75cc
2nd fill 1/25/2005 1.5cc

Thread Starter  

well, I had my pre-op appointment today, the doctor had horror stories about those who smoke so... I am going to quit in 8 days, it will be 1 week smoke free before the surgery. I have decided that I need to get healthy and this will be one huge step towards that.

GOOD FOR YOU!!!

:banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana

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Melissa
banded 10/19/2004
Dr. Tiesenga
Oak Park, IL
368 at surgery/290 now:cry /199 goal
1st fill 12/2/2004 .75cc
2nd fill 1/25/2005 1.5cc

You are a lot stronger then I am for wanting to quit... Good Luck with everything Keep us posted :)

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April 28, 2005
Reband - August 31, 2006
Dr. James Smith Pueblo, CO
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