Newbie here - the smoking issue….
I am from Northern Alberta Canada and I am going
to have my surgery VBG sometime in September. I
recently received my information package regarding the
surgery and it says in big block letters IF YOU SMOKE YOU
MUST QUIT IMMEDIATELY! There is also a video in the
package and the doctor does explain why he requires his
patients to quit. When we smoke the small hair in our
lungs (cilia?) stop working. In order to get them
working again, we must not smoke for 3 weeks. We can keep
the cilia inactive by only one cigarette a day. The
cilia help clean out our lungs after the general
anasthetic (SP). He will not perform surgery on a smoker.
And that is that. Okay I understand this and today is
my last day of smoking - tomorrow I am going for
some tests and I have to not smoke drink or eat for 14
hours. So I figured I might as well quit tomorrow. The
only problam I have with the whole thing is the
surgeon’s nurse informed me I could not gain any weight (I
weigh 276 BMI 47), or I would not qualify for the
surgery. I find this odd because I read of people at
higher weights than mine getting the surgery. All in all
I will quit and I will try my hardest not to gain
weight.<br>Any feedback is appreciated.<br>Bye for
now,<br>Shawna
January 20th, 2004 at 4:11 pm
Shawna –<br>Good luck with stopping smoking! I
used to smoke also and it is hard but you can do it!
Remember to take one day at a time and if that is too long
take one hour at a time! I found it helpful to take a
walk during the times I really wanted a cigarette.
While driving I would use a straw to hold in my hand.
It may seem silly but it really did help me! I have
not had a cigarette in over a year! I wish you the
best with this and your upcoming surgery!<br>Tami
:o)<br>Pre-op - 365<br>surgery - Jan 18, 2000<br>today - 260
(yep - 105 lbs gone *grin*)
January 20th, 2004 at 9:32 pm
Shawna,<br><br>When I had to stop smoking I
chewed sugar free cinamon gum. It helped tremendously. I
know many people that have used the gum instead of
cigarettes.<br><br>It is odd that your doctors office said not to gain
weight. I know people upwards of 500 lbs who have had
this surgery. Anyway, goodluck. Keep us
informed.<br><br>Phyliss