Question:
SMOKING AFTER RNY
OK WE ALL KNOW SMOKING CIGS ARE BAD FOR US AND WE SHOULD DO IT AT ALL, BUT WHY IS IT WORSE FOR YOU IF YOU HAVE HAD THE RNY SURGERY? IS IT ONLY A BIG DEAL IF SMOKING WHILE HEALING AND OK AFTER HEALING? HOW MANY OF YOU HERE HAVE HAD THE RNY AND SMOKE STILL? — PHATBOY (posted on February 9, 2007)
February 8, 2007
Some surgeons have patients to stop smoking a few weeks or days prior to
the surgery -- probably because of the anesthesia. My partner had the
surgery 3 years ago and she still smokes -- I don't think she went right
back to smoking after the surgery -- she may have waited a few weeks --
memory a little fuzzy on that one. EVERY doctor is an advocate of
non-smoking; however, at the end of the day -- it is still your choice.
— the7thdean
February 8, 2007
Smoking causes ulcers in your pouch. I work in a hospital in a Bariatric
Department and we see people back in who smoke and get ulcers and have to
have surgery to repair them. It is best to quit before your surgery, since
giving up 2 vices (meaning old eating habits and smoking) at once is never
good and often more difficult. Godd luck in your decision.
— barefootgirl
February 9, 2007
Smoking absolutely causes problems with healing as well as bone loss. Since
bone loss is already an issue for bypass patients, why risk it? Why go
through the whole bypass to get healthy and lose weight only to turn around
and have other health issues realted to smoking.
— jlw0423
February 9, 2007
Causes terrible har to treat pouch ulcers and other nasties like slow
healing. WLS is all about getting healthy, why risk it? Besides smoking is
EXPENSIVE , save the money for clothes shopping:) Most surgeons today
wouldnt operatye on smokers because the die more often.
— bob-haller
February 9, 2007
My docotor told me that smoking slows down the healing time after surgery.
— barfiep01
February 9, 2007
smoking is definantely a hard habit to quit, but it will be well worth the
effort it takes in the long run. the reasons you shouldn't smoke after RNY
surgery are: 1- it delays healing, 2- you are more likely to develop
ulcers, which with having a much smaller stomache can be a major problem
and often requires additional surgery to correct, 3- when you smoke it
depletes your body of certain vauable vitamins and minerals as well as
keeps some of them from being absorbed when you eat and take supplements,
making the likelyhood of malabsorption issues alot more likely and causes
many more serious problems, 4- you are having the surgery to be healthier
and to fight problems caused by obesity, but if you continue to smoke you
are at risk of developing COPD, emphysemia, or even lung cancer so it
really defeats the purpose of trying to be healthier. good luck girl i
know it will be hard, but put your mind to it and you will get through it .
good luck , hope this helps holly
— RNlvnCARSON
February 9, 2007
Prior to surgery my doc told me to quit smoking. Plus I was at low normal
for pulmunary function test, and sleep apena studies. I went from 4
packs/day (yes I actually smoked that many), to 8 cigs a day. I used the
21mg patch and it did help some. The anesthesiologist had a discussion with
my doc about my smoking, but conceeded to him. I did not smoke for 3 weeks
after surgery because it hurt when I coughed. And coughing, deep breathing
are part of recovery after surgery, I didn't want to hurt more then
necessary (I'm a WIMP). Anyway, when the pain ws gone, I did the big no no,
and started back smoking. I still use the patch and smoke maybe a pack a
day, unless I'm doing crafts or something like that. I tried the new pill
Chantix I think it is, but I have to crush my pills and it tore up my
stomach, so I quit it.
But, I still have not increased my smoking. I really would like to
quit...for health and economic reasons. But, nicotine is much stronger then
people realize, and I'm not a strong person. (I guess I traded one
addiction for another).
Peace, love, health and happiness.
Dana
— Dana M.
February 10, 2007
I've had several friends continue their smoking after surgery and every
single one of them developed painful ulcers in their pouch. Try to stay
away from it if you can.
Best regards,
~christi
— christi_in_VA
February 10, 2007
Hey JR, I am glad you asked. You are right, smoking isn't good any time,
and it is worse for an RNY patient. When you have surgery, the areas that
are cut and re-routed have incision, stitches and are weakened because of
the severing of them. This doesn't change with time, it will always be
weaker. If you have a health issue in your digestive area, it will
gravitate there first. That is why we cannot take anti-inflamitory
products. When an ulcer occurs, and it is more likely to occur, it will
happen at the weakend area of the digestive system. Smoking will decay
those areas faster, and the risk of problems is so much greater. When one
drinks alcohol after surgery, it goes more directly to the liver causing
more damage, quicker. It is a higher concentration of alcohol to the
liver. It is a more damaging concentration of tobacco to your body.
Please do whatever necessary to stop. You have come too far to go
backwards. You can do it JR! Best to you, Patricia P
— Patricia P
February 10, 2007
I stopped smoking 6 1/2 yrs prior to surgery I had bypass./fobi pouch 2
yrs ago . I started smoking about a year ago . I hate that I started again
and after reading the respnses here I am even more scared . WE that smoke
have to stop 5to save our lives . ty for making this post
— LongBeachDiva
February 11, 2007
I am a smoker; 1 to 1 1/2 packs a day. I had RNY almost 2 years ago. I
have had no major problems, had to have my stoma stretched at 1 year. I
never quit, I honestly tried but never could. I did inform the dr befor
surgery and made it a point let the hospital/surgery staff know so they
were prepared. It is your choice, but like with any choice you pay the
price for your choice. So far the only price I am paying is for the
cigarettes. Your not the only one out there, most don't want to admidt it.
Best of luck to you.
— ArdieB
February 12, 2007
I have smoked for over 30 years. I have had 5 major surgeries with no
problems. I am not bragging, but hate to hear the doomsayers say how
horrible it is. I feel my smoking has, in a way, helped me to not regain
weight. Addictions are addictions whether it is cigarettes, alcohol, food,
or drugs. I feel cigarettes are the least destructive.
— Patty.W
February 12, 2007
It is not good for your healing. It takes over a year to heal fully, so
why not take the opportunity to just quit for good?
— Novashannon
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