Can I smoke after Weight Loss Surgery? By Juan Hidalgo on June 04, 2019

smoking after weight loss surgery

Can I smoke after weight loss surgery?

Over 1 billion people worldwide smoke cigarettes each year and many of these smokers have problems with obesity and other health issues. About 30% of the world’s population is also obese.  If you are obese and a smoker you may really need to have weight loss surgery to improve your health but should you or can you smoke after weight loss surgery?

Bariatric procedures such as the gastric sleeve or gastric bypass surgery cause weight loss by restricting the amount of food the stomach can hold, causing malabsorption or, by a combination of both gastric restriction and malabsorption. These surgeries also cause hormonal changes and are today performed using minimally invasive techniques (laparoscopic surgery).

Undergoing weight loss surgery in Mexico can be a life-changing experience for people struggling with obesity. The surgery will assist patients in achieving their weight loss goals and will motivate them to lead a healthy life. Even though these surgeries are considered the most effective way of dealing with obesity, their success will depend on following a strict eating diet, daily exercise, and lifestyle changes.  That said if you are a smoker, you also will need to quit smoking as that will also not only help you get healthy but also can affect your outcome from surgery.

One of Mexico’s leading bariatric surgeons who works at Weight Loss Team, Dr. Juan F. Hidalgo in Puerto Vallarta recommends that patients stop smoking both before and after any Bariatric Surgery. Smoking may hamper organ functionalities and increases the risk of developing complications such as:


  • Heart attack
  • Strokes
  • Pneumonia
  • Lung disease,
  • Blood clotting
  • Increase of cancer,
  • Marginal Ulcers
  • Surgical wound infection
  • among others.

Patients are also recommended to undergo a proper exercise routine for a successful weight loss journey. So, patients have to take into account that smoking decreases the stamina of the person, leading to unproductiveness as the carbon monoxide replaces oxygen in the body.  Smoking also plain and simply just makes exercise that much harder.

Tobacco smoke causes the blood vessels to shrink which decreases blood flow to the patient’s new stomach. At the same time, carbon monoxide reduces the ability of the red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body. Both of these are factors that will cause a much slower healing process after the patient undergoes their weight loss procedure, and will continue to be a concern years after surgery.

When you are making the decision to get your life back and to undergo weight loss surgery, now is time to put the tobacco product away for good. Smoking is a surgical risk factor. If Bariatric Surgery has a rather low-risk factor, among smokers, that risk doubles; that is, the patient will be twice as likely to experience serious surgical complications. This is why, Dr. Hidalgo, strongly recommends that a patient stop smoking at least six months before to surgery.

Bariatric Surgery gives obese people the power to improve their health, offering them a chance to drastically increase their lifespan. Smoking puts a huge damper on the patient’s health, making the weight loss journey even harder and long term shortens the patient's lifespan working directly against the benefits of having weight loss surgery.


LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE WEIGHT LOSS PROCEDURE OFFERED BY WEIGHT LOSS TEAM AND DR. HIDALGO IN PUERTO VALLARTA.


Of course, Weight Loss Team, and its staff of experts will be more than ready to guide you through your battle of quitting smoking before and after Bariatric Surgery.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.


For more information:

info@weightlossteam.com

http//www.weightlossteam.com/

Telephone: Toll free 1(800)4049064 or + 1(818)9496911

The Weight Loss Team Staff

The Weight Loss Team

The Weight Loss Team in Puerto Vallarta is dedicated to the continued weight loss success of every patient. Through our state-of-the-art technology, advanced techniques, and easy access to online support, patients can expect successful weight loss surgery that creates lasting results. Patients travel from around the world to our practice to experience:

  • State-of-the-Art Facilities
  • Experienced Surgeons
  • Multiple Surgical Options
  • Advanced Laparoscopic Methods
  • Affordable Care
  • Life-Changing Results

If you're ready to lose weight and sustain a healthy, happy lifestyle, contact our Puerto Vallarta practice by filling out our online form or calling 800-404-9064.

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