Question:
what are the effects of smoking to your body after WLS?
— kim H. (posted on August 16, 2005)
August 16, 2005
Beyond all the known troubles for everyone, like heart disease, stroke,
lung cancer etc etc. It can cause hard to treat pouch ulcers, and make
having surgery very dangerous. Leaks and poor healing are just some of the
risks. Way more smokers die than non smokers going thru WLS. It can also
cause blood clots, and if your diabetic or pre diabetic with insulin
resistance can lead to diabetic eye disease. I read your profile, if you
truly want to be there for your daugter quit immediately. Besides second
hand smoke is dangerous for kids, can cause lung cancer later on in life
for your kids who never took up smoking directly. Beyond being a BAD
example to your child!<P> Most good surgeons today refuse to operate
on smokers and do a test the morning of surgery, those who cheated get
their surgery cancelled. WLS is all about getting healthy. If your not
willing to quit smoking , then surgery isnt a good idea. dont want to see
more deaths...
— bob-haller
August 16, 2005
It can cause you to have ulcers in your new pouch. This is what my surgeon
told me and the rest of the support group. I hope that this helps:) God
Bless
— LilaDove
August 16, 2005
Since I was not a smoker, I didn't pay attention to most of what the
surgeon said about it. But,I remember that smoking prior to surgery will
slow down the healing process and can cause complications such as clots.
— Julie A.
August 16, 2005
I smoke now and did when I had surgery. Well ok, I quit a month before but
picked it right back up when I got home.<br><br>Other than the
normal 'gonna kill ya' stuff that you already know, nicotine (not just
smoking) causes you to heal slower, scar more, have a more difficult time
waking up after surgery, and cough more. And belive me, you don't want any
sort of coughing after having abdominal surgery. I've had 2 ulcers since
surgery, however, I need to kind of go against the grain here. According
to my doctors, the smoking doesnt cause the ulcer directly (it sure helps
it along), but worse...it completely prevents them from healing. (as does
caffeine)<br>As mentioned by others, most surgeons will not touch you
for an elective procedure if you smoke. It complicates surgery too much to
take the risk.<br><br>Now, it's best that you quit but I can
completely relate to the difficulty of that statement. I quit last week
for 3 days until I noticed the 7 POUND gain!!! Anyhow, the nicotine
losenges have helped many people I know...they make me sick, but I seem to
be the only one. Just remember, it's the nicotine that causes most of the
problems, not the actual smoking...so you will have to be off of any kind
of non smoking aid. Good luck to you!
— RebeccaP
August 16, 2005
I tried to quit before surgery and ended up not being strong enough. I
think I made it to the one week mark and was ready to kill my husband who
was also trying to quit with me. We both made a consciuos decision to pick
up the cigarette again. I had my surgery, luckily they didn't test me that
morning. I have since tried to stop 2 more times and I just am not able to
do it right yet. I really don't want to quit. I gain weight easily when I
am not smaoking. I am 4 years out and I know I would probably be a little
healthier if I were to quit , at least financially. I understand the
concern over smoking and I can only say that if you can quit it would be
advisable, but if you can't do it I do empathize with you.
I have asthma and do get attacks often, about twice a month, but I may
still have them without smoking, who knows?
Good luck and I do hope you can be succesful in quitting. I have heard of
people dying after weight loss from smoking.
— bzerm01
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