Surgery Tomorrow & Questions-i.e. Cigars

Hi All! Well tomorrow is my surgery date. I am nervous and really having second thoughts. I am afraid of not being able to eat again, is this the right thing, can I handle the life change with food, How long is the pain, can I go back to work, etc, etc....

Waiting on the hospital to call me with the time for tomorrow. I want to lose the weight, but afraid the mental hunger and mental part will be tough.

I am avid Cigar smoker in the summer time, enjoying 5-7 a week. Can any one let me know if they smoke cigars after the surgery? Any issues? I know it's not good for you, but I want to know if any one has done it and suffered any issues.
thanks much

Hi Jboogie,

You have lots of questions:

1) Did you attend a pre-op seminar? Many of your questions should have been answered there.
2) Is a life changing decision, for me worth it but you should have also spoken to a therapist as part of the pre-op requirements. Did this happen?
3) You will be able to eat again! Just not as much. As an example: I love wings, used to eat 15 of them at a time. 3 months out from surgery I have wings but can only eat 4. Same effect. Same enjoyment. Less Calories.
4) My pain was minimal, worse part is the gas right after surgery, this will pass quickly if you walk alot. Also recommend GasX strips.
5) Yes, you can go back to work. This should be laparoscopic and I was home next day. Returned to work 6 days later.
6) Head Hunger. Yes, you will get this from time to time but you will find that your sleeve will quickly re-educate you on what you can and can not do. Your choices will need to be more healthy, very high protein, lots of water, etc..
7) Cigars - I believe main concern is the chance of developing an ulcer from the smoking. They typically tell you to not do it but I have enjoyed one every now an again since surgery will no ill effects. Albeit, not 7 a week. You may find your taste for them changes after the surgery as well.

Best of luck to you and all of the above is from my experience. Please utilize your surgeon, therapist and nutritionist for professional advice but everyone is different. Again, overall, the best decision of my life. I wish I did it sooner. I am enjoying the journey and the folks on this forum are very helpful.

Regards,

Tommy

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tommy1969

Hi Jboogie,

You have lots of questions:

1) Did you attend a pre-op seminar? Many of your questions should have been answered there.
2) Is a life changing decision, for me worth it but you should have also spoken to a therapist as part of the pre-op requirements. Did this happen?
3) You will be able to eat again! Just not as much. As an example: I love wings, used to eat 15 of them at a time. 3 months out from surgery I have wings but can only eat 4. Same effect. Same enjoyment. Less Calories.
4) My pain was minimal, worse part is the gas right after surgery, this will pass quickly if you walk alot. Also recommend GasX strips.
5) Yes, you can go back to work. This should be laparoscopic and I was home next day. Returned to work 6 days later.
6) Head Hunger. Yes, you will get this from time to time but you will find that your sleeve will quickly re-educate you on what you can and can not do. Your choices will need to be more healthy, very high protein, lots of water, etc..
7) Cigars - I believe main concern is the chance of developing an ulcer from the smoking. They typically tell you to not do it but I have enjoyed one every now an again since surgery will no ill effects. Albeit, not 7 a week. You may find your taste for them changes after the surgery as well.

Best of luck to you and all of the above is from my experience. Please utilize your surgeon, therapist and nutritionist for professional advice but everyone is different. Again, overall, the best decision of my life. I wish I did it sooner. I am enjoying the journey and the folks on this forum are very helpful.

Regards,

Tommy

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Thanks Tommy
I did all those items, and had the Therapist appt. I guess its cold feet. I have been watching a lot of videos from people, good and bad, to see. All seem to have been happy with it. I only used one of the hospital therapist to get it checked off, I don't have one of my own.

My surgery is tomorrow and with the long holiday, I hope to be back to work on Tues. I am fortunate to work from home most of the time as a project manager, so that helps.

Was pain a big problem? I heard about the gas ex strips and plan to pick some up. Thanks for reaching out Tommy

Nerves and second thoughts are natural. It is a very big step to take but one you will eventually find very effective and fulfilling. Your life is about to change in huge ways. The way people look at you and talk to you is going to be different. You will be able to eat. I personally was fine not eating for the full three weeks post-op and took it very slowly re-introducing foods. I quit smoking many years ago so I cant answer your one question but if you get into exercising like you should, you may not miss it at all. I quit sodas pre-op and still find them repulsive but everybody is different. As far as pain, I had a nerve clipped during surgery so one incision had pain for almost one month but all the others were fine after a week. Depends on your pain tolerance.

Go to bed early tonight and take your worst picture of all time tonight. You can use that as motivation when you hit a stall and questioning if you are making progress.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jboogie80

Thanks Tommy
I did all those items, and had the Therapist appt. I guess its cold feet. I have been watching a lot of videos from people, good and bad, to see. All seem to have been happy with it. I only used one of the hospital therapist to get it checked off, I don't have one of my own.

My surgery is tomorrow and with the long holiday, I hope to be back to work on Tues. I am fortunate to work from home most of the time as a project manager, so that helps.

Was pain a big problem? I heard about the gas ex strips and plan to pick some up. Thanks for reaching out Tommy

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The gas pain was more of significant uncomfortable feeling but it passed quickly. You will be hopped up on some pretty good pain meds, I was actually dancing down the hallway, other people were certainly getting a kick out of that. Day 2 was the worse for me, mainly waiting to get out of hospital and getting home. No pain from incisions. I was very surprised. This was my first ever surgery so I was certainly a bit nervous but was amazed at how proficient the staff and the process was. I have nothing bad to say about any of it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ghost_ryder

Nerves and second thoughts are natural. It is a very big step to take but one you will eventually find very effective and fulfilling. Your life is about to change in huge ways. The way people look at you and talk to you is going to be different. You will be able to eat. I personally was fine not eating for the full three weeks post-op and took it very slowly re-introducing foods. I quit smoking many years ago so I cant answer your one question but if you get into exercising like you should, you may not miss it at all. I quit sodas pre-op and still find them repulsive but everybody is different. As far as pain, I had a nerve clipped during surgery so one incision had pain for almost one month but all the others were fine after a week. Depends on your pain tolerance.

Go to bed early tonight and take your worst picture of all time tonight. You can use that as motivation when you hit a stall and questioning if you are making progress.

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Awesome response Ghost, thank you! I am nervous about the new way of life, but it will be for the best. Thanks!!

I hope all goes well and all the best!

I was exhausted for nearly 6 months, I smoked and never stopped - was smoking after the surgery once I got to the recovery hotel, had 2 times I got sick to my stomach and merely crossed those foods off my lists of things I could eat. I am 5 years out and now eat what I want when I want but small portions of course. I had started to gain a little but that's normal for me during tax season when I am stuck in my home office for months on end so once the weather got nice enough I started to swim again and drinking protein shakes every morning and in the afternoon as a snack if needed and it came off.

Only you can make this decision but it was the best decision for me and I only regret not doing it sooner.

I am a smoker (cigarettes not cigars). I of course was supposed to quit beforehand and didn't. I didn't really smoke the first two days after surgery as they tasted gross and just about knocked me to the ground. But I have to admit I smoke regularly again. It doesn't bother me after the surgery. I have tried quitting many times before and the constant weight gain got me so depressed that I would start again. It just didn't feel worth it to me as I just got so depressed from the weight gain. I quit for two months last year and gained over 20lbs in that short of time(I am short so 20lbs is very noticable). That was one of the deciding factors for me to have the surgery. I wanted to get my weight under control and be a decent weight so that I would have some room to gain weight when I quit and not feel so horrible about it. Once I reach my goal weight I plan to quit. But to answer your question I think you will still be able to enjoy a cigar after your surgery and not feel ill.

After surgery, it is important you do not start smoking again, even if you only quit 12 hours before surgery. Allow your body time to recover and heal properly. Smoking makes recovery harder by stressing your heart, affecting your blood pressure, reducing oxygen in your blood and body tissues, and damaging your lungs.

3 years ago -- best decision of my life! Hope all is going well.
The sleeve, as you know is a tool, not a solution.

You can do it!