Gastric sleeve surgery is a bariatric procedure for weight loss and health improvement. Following this surgery, patients often consider cannabis use. Understanding its potential impacts is important for recovery and a new lifestyle.
Immediate Concerns After Surgery
Smoking immediately after gastric sleeve surgery risks the healing surgical site. Coughing or deep inhalation strains internal staples and sutures, increasing intra-abdominal pressure. This strain can cause complications like staple line leaks.
Chemicals in smoke impair blood circulation by constricting blood vessels, reducing oxygen and nutrient delivery to the wound. This delays wound healing and increases infection risk. Patients who smoke after bariatric surgery are nearly twice as likely to experience complications compared to non-smokers.
Smoking also exacerbates gastrointestinal issues. It can constrict the stomach pouch entrance, causing discomfort, nausea, and vomiting. These symptoms are dangerous post-operatively, potentially leading to dehydration and hindering nutrient intake.
How Cannabis Affects Recovery and Long-Term Health
Cannabis use can influence long-term recovery and weight management. Cannabis stimulates appetite, leading to increased calorie intake and poor dietary choices. This undermines adherence to post-surgical dietary guidelines for weight loss. Frequent cannabis use is associated with maladaptive eating behaviors like grazing or binge eating, interfering with new eating patterns.
Psychological impacts of cannabis use also warrant consideration. Research indicates that cannabis use after bariatric surgery is associated with an increased likelihood of anxiety symptoms. While some use cannabis to cope, it can worsen anxiety, interfering with necessary psychological adjustments post-surgery.
Ongoing smoking poses respiratory health concerns. Smoking cannabis contributes to long-term respiratory complications, impacting lung function. These issues affect overall health and the patient’s ability to engage in physical activity, a component of sustained weight loss.
Medical Advice and Safe Practices
Medical professionals advise against smoking after gastric sleeve surgery. Quitting smoking before and after bariatric surgery is essential for successful recovery and positive long-term outcomes.
Patients considering cannabis use should consult their bariatric surgeon and healthcare team. This allows for personalized assessment of health conditions and medication interactions. Open communication ensures decisions support recovery and long-term health.
Alternative consumption methods like edibles may seem safer, avoiding respiratory effects. However, they carry risks for gastric sleeve patients. Edibles have delayed, unpredictable effects, making precise dosing challenging. Many contain high sugar or fat, triggering dumping syndrome or hindering weight loss. The altered digestive system also impacts how the body processes edibles, potentially leading to increased potency or unexpected reactions.