Pre op Smokers

[gyfts 0]

Thanks for all the congratulations. Today is 53 days smoke free.

The habit thing was hard for about a week.

I never smoked in my house (kids) and I rarely smoked with them in the van. I would smoke after dropping the kids off at school, work breaks, lunch, and outside. After I had my stroke two years ago, I didn't smoke infront of my DH. (really mad I couldn't quit!) So when he'd take a long bath, run to the store....bam! my heart would jump and my brain would think "cool, I can sneek another smoke before bed!"

But now, smoking doesn't even cross my mind. I NEVER thought I'd say that. I smoked for 20 years and quit three times, this is my fourth and final time.

I'm hoping the LB works for me and my eating like the Chantix did for my nicotine habit.

I really have been pushing this RX to everyone I know that wants to quit. I can put up with the gas and crazy dreams. I realized I could not put up with the prospect of having another stroke within 3 yrs if I didn't quit.

Marissa...keep it up, you can do it!~

ive asked my PCP to prescribe Chantix for me, Im waiting to hear back from her. Im not gonna get my hopes up that she will prescribe it though. This is the same PCP who wasnt supportive of my decision to get the lap band. Her comment to me was " why not just do it the old fashioned way, with diet and exercise?" grrrrrrr :girl_hug: :angry :angry So we will see what happens. Ive got to quit, because I know my lungs are damaged enough now that I will have breathing problems after surgery. Im getting bronchitis/pneumonia 1-2x/year now, and its all because of the smoking. Im a nurse, and you would think Id know better. Thank you for the support and encouraging words. thanks to all of you who responded. Ill keep you posted on what happens.

[yukaputz 0]

The best thing that helped my wife and I quit for fertility was www.whyquit.org

Read through all the articles. We quit cold turkey. It was hard. Very hard. We did it one at a time. I quite for 4 months then she quit. The most important thing you have to keep telling yourself over and over and over again is that relief is on the way. Breath.. breath.. breath... relief is on the way. It's comming. You have to hold on. That was what got us through the throws of the cravings. We will both be happy talk further with you about it but March 10 2007 marks my 1 year smoke free. I am so relieved to not have to deal with that anymore.

[gyfts 0]

Thanks yuka!! Any and all help is appreciated. Not only is it an unhealthy habit, but an expensive one too. Ive counted up the money I would save if I didnt smoke, $1200 a year!!! I could use that to take a great vacation, or to buy new clothes after Ive lost weight with my band. Plus Ill be able to breathe !!

[yukaputz 0]

Yeah it is expensive. In my case I found that my money was sticking around alot longer not just because I wasn't buying smokes, but because I wasn't hitting up the atm as much for cash for smokes. I could never figure out what happened to the change from a twenty when I bought a pack. Balancing my checkbook was easier to.

Practice the mantra.. Relief is comming. Relief is comming.

[yukaputz 0]

Hey gyfts,

I just read your statement about your primary care doc. Hey.. F@$% that guy/gal. Time to shop for a new doctor. My doc is real loser too. Tried to pull the same crap on me. He/She doesn't need your buisness. Screw em.

[Karlee 0]

I quit 2 yrs ago cold turkey and the best advise I got was wait 15 minutes and see if the craving goes away if not chew gum for another 15 minutes and then if not smoke(it would help if you do something in the mean time)

but I never did It became a competiton with myself to see how long I could stay smoke free..I know it is a struggle everyday but it will get better..good luck

[KHolmes 3]

Today is SIX WEEKS without a Cigarette!!!

It was mine and my huny’s New Years Resolution. We used one package of Nicorette gun between the two of us and then we just chewed sugarfree gum and supported each other. I would call him the first week or so when I was on my breaks at work. I changed my work routine from the first day. That is the important part. You cant do the same thing and expect different results.

Quiting in my opinion is a matter of wanting to quit!!! You can quit you just have to believe in yourself!!!

:clap2::clap2::clap2:

You can dooo it!!! LOL!!!

[gyfts 0]

Well, my PCP prescribed Chantix for me yesterday. I started it already. So I am planning on being smoke free Saturday, Feb. 25th. YAYYYYYYYYY And low and behold, my PCP recommended me for the lap band surgery. She must have had a change of heart.

Kelly-congrats on your surgery. Hope all went well for you, and continues to go well. Keep us posted!

[Karlee 0]

way to go keep up the great work

[Hydee 0]

Thanks everone for the great info on smoking. I have been smoking for 30+ years. I have never tried to stop, I love to smoke. My Doctor has given me Chantix I have not started yet. How do get over the cravings " the first cup of coffee". I am sure it is going to be very difficult. Thank God for my family..

Thanks all

[Xeiah 0]

I quit 3 days befoe surgery, I had cut down to less then 4 a day at that point , and I used Zyban. I don't know if that is differesnt from Chantix (I 've never heard of that till now) but boy did it help!