I heard smokers can not have this procedure. Is that true and if so why.
Answer 1 As you must be well aware of the benefits of losing weight and the effectiveness of the lap band procedure in weight loss, it is your duty to fulfill all the criteria before you go for the surgery to lose those extra pounds and recover quickly after the surgery. Smoking should be stopped at least six weeks before the operation; however, some doctors even recommend quitting two weeks prior to the operation.
Lap band surgery is not advisable for those who are heavy drinkers or smokers. Smoking and drinking increase the chances of complications after the surgery to a great extent which can even be fatal for the patient. Therefore, it is very essential that you quit smoking or drinking at least two weeks before the surgery because after the procedure the patient is most likely to develop undesirable conditions which would also prolong his recovery period. So, my advice to you would be to quit smoking as soon as possible to get the maximum benefits of the lap band surgery sans the complications.