Hello, I have had the band for close to two years now. I have lost 115 pounds, I have 100 hundred pounds to go. I have the same problem as you with the nicotine. I am toldly addicted. I also stopped smoking tobacco, just before my surgery. But I did not give up my nicotine, I smoke the eletronic cigarette, I love it I swear by it. I have not had a real cigarette in two years I smoke greensmoke.com. I can exercise for hours, and never get out of breath. I don't cough anymore, nor have I had bronchitis in two years since I gave up the tobacco. Good luck to you and exercise it is the key to success.