Expert: Diminishing Dawn - 7/25/2010

Question
Hi there I have a question. I recently decided, through my thought and research that I am ready to take the step to have a gastric bypass.  I am a 41 year old female, 5'4', 287 lbs.  My BMI, i believe is 49.  I have diagnosed and treated sleep apnea(i sleep with a cpap), boderline diabetic, degenerative disk in my lower back which is so bad at times that i can not walk two steps.  My question is this.  I went to see my family doctor this past Thursday and I told him that i want to be referred to gastric bypass surgery as my weight is so out of control now that I feel very unwell almost every day.  The long and short of it, he said that I most definately qualify and that day he started the paperwork to refer me.  Problem is, he called me the next day and asked me if I still smoked and I said yes.  Right there and then he said I'm sorry, you have to be 6 months smoke free before I can refer you.  I was heartbroken...the wait times for this surgery here on Guelph Ontario Canada, just to get into the clinic to start the process is at least 4months.  I promised him that I would quit smoking this weekend becuase I am totally committed to getting a healthier lifestyle.  I will for sure quite, BUT, can they and will they refuse my referral for surgery based on my smoking and not being 6 months smoke free before I start the clinic process?  I was so upset because I was wanting this badly.  Advise anyone?  I would really appreciate it!!  Thank you!

Answer
Absolutely.

I have a power point from an assessment centre and that's what they say - you must be smoke free for 6 months to qualify.   It's in your best interest regardless and being a smoker would put you at substantial risk for complications on the table so that is why you need to be smoke free.

Usually you can go to an orientation but it is also your doctor's discretion. You can apply now but they won't say yes to your surgery until you are indeed 6 months smoke free.

You could talk to your doctor and beg him/her to start the process and say that you will start to quit smoking for the surgery as that is what it takes and to start the process. It is at his/her discretion.  

If I were you, if you have coverage, I would start the process of quitting smoking - using zyban or chantix...and then once you are smoke free for a month or two, ask him to start the referral once s/he knows you are serious.

Dawn