Smoking....

[melva66 56]

I'm trying my hardest to quit. Much easier said then done. I've told my dr I quit months ago and haven't been asked about it since. Anyone have any ideas as to what might help or has anyone continued smoking right up to the surgery? Once I'm all done with the surgery (if I'm approved by my insurance) I plan not ever looking back. It's just very hard right now.

[ready4changein2011 70]

In my opinion set a stop date and quit. If you can do it cold turkey, then maybe try an alternative. I quit 13 months ago cold turkey and it was the best thing that I could have ever done. No withdrawals. Good luck to you.

[Engteacher 158]

Thirty years ago, I smoked a pack or more per day. And yet, I haven't had a cigarette for more than 29 years. I can't say I've quit, although I tell the doctor that. I just refuse my next cigarette. I choose not to smoke today and I will not buy another pack. Even talking about it now makes me want one. I can feel my body reacting to just the thought of lighting up. After decades without one, the desire is still there.

I will always crave a cig when I think about it or when I smell the smoke on another person's clothes. I'm addicted, but I refuse to give in to the cravings.

You just have to start refusing that next cigarette until the days turn in to weeks and years.

Start today. Start now.

[IronDruggist 136]

I switched to e-cigs about six weeks before. They are definitely not the same, but better. What you worry about most is blood clots, which smoking increases your risk of. The e-cigs don't contribute to blood clots, however nicotine itself is bad for healing, especially in the gut. That being said, I made it 3 weeks post surgery and caved. My mom lives with me and she smokes, makes it really hard to quit. I'm going to switch back to e-cigs soon...I hope.

[Babbs 14,681]

Oh boy. Don't open up this can of worms topic. All the anti-smoking Nazi's come out..trust me, LOL.

Here's the deal. I feel for you. I've been there! People who have not smoked have NO IDEA what a hard of an addiction cigs are. Yes, even worse than food. At least you can still eat! Don't believe me? My cousin was in a terrible car accident years back, and was in a coma for TWO WEEKS. Guess what the first thing she asked for when she woke up? Yup, you got it. She wanted a cigarette.

That story aside, I knew I needed to quit before surgery because it could hinder healing properly, and quite frankly, I was doing the surgery to get healthier, and how do cigarettes fit into that equation, anyway? I started using a vaper cig in May and started tapering down the nicotine each week until I was at 0. It gave me the satisfaction of smoking without all the horrible chemicals and nicotine. One day in early June I realized I hadn't even thought about the vaper cig all day, and that was that! I had quit smoking! Had my surgery in August and I haven't looked back! I'm really proud I chose to have this surgery and get healthy, but I'm most proud of quitting a 20+ year smoking habit. If I can do it, ANYONE can! Good Luck to you!

Edited November 13, 2014 by Babbs

[*Lexie* 1,486]

I quit smoking two years ago and I had tried many methods and medications. The one that finally worked for me was the patch. It was still really hard and some days I still want one (or five) but I know it's a slippery slope and I'll just end up a smoker again.

My doctor's office tested for nicotine twice through the process (three times if you tested positive the first time) and wouldn't do the surgery until you were "clean".

I agree that it's really difficult, the most difficult thing I've done. I know for me, I wouldn't want to be dealing with cigarette cravings while recovering from surgery and dealing with my food demons. That's a dangerous mix. If you're able to give them up before surgery, you'll be much less cranky.

[Me.Lisa 16]

If you think your hiding your habit, let me say that non-smokers are like those drug sniffing dogs ! Very alert to the odor of cigarette smells. I am over 200 days since quitting and I thought I was a non-stinky smoker. I washed my hands and rinsed my mouth after smoking and I thought my nose was still sensitive to odors but boy was I wrong ! It was not until I had been smoke free for a few months that my nose woke back up full force. BTW I was a solid 27 year smoker, 1-2 packs a day. I used Chantix and my husband and I quit a week apart. My dad lives with us and he is a 2 pack a day smoker outside but I still smell him and honestly my tummy turns when he comes back in. Good luck quitting, and on your surgery. If I could quit anyone can, and I'm sure you will be successful if you put your mind to it.

[antigone40 30]

_{Hi Melva,}

_{I didn't fell ready to stop smoking. I had tried and tried but couldn't do it. But it's been 2 and a half weeks now and I'm feeling great about it. In the past, whenever I tried to quit, I was miserable. I HIGHLY recommend this book, it makes it easy to quit. I know that sounds insane, but it's true.}

_{You can continue smoking while you read the book! Crazy, huh? I never thought ANYTHING would work for me, and this did, and I'm finally free of the horrible addiction I had. I encourage you to give it a try. Available on Amazon.< /sub>}

_{Allen Carr's Easy Way to Stop Smoking: The Easyway To Stop Smoking
by Allen Carr
Link: http://amzn.com/0615482155}

[mstrina911 0]

I haven't smoked a cigarette since September 30th. I have cravings daily, but I don't want to be denied surgery or have any complications because I can't stop smoking. It's hard, but its important, so I just push myself everyday. I hope that I never smoke again.

[beachgurl84 456]

I quit smoking almost 13 weeks ago because my surgeon required me to be NICOTINE free for 90 days prior to surgery. He also required me to pass 3 nicotine test at 30 day intervals to prove this. I used Chantix because I knew I wouldn't be able to do it on my own. And anyone posting on this forum that says anything about not being strong enough to quit cold turkey needs to go take a good look in the mirror. They're on this forum because they don't have willpower made of stone either. I can tell you at 13 weeks smoke free and 6 days preop, it's the best decision I ever made. Of course I still have moments where I think "I could smoke" but I don't give in. I haven't noticed any change in health or the way things smell. The only difference is now I don't smoke. I didn't waste my time or money on the vapor cigs. They may work for some, they wouldn't have for me because I enjoyed smoking too much. I smoked for 15 years. Between being a non smoker and my surgery next week, I know I have fully committed myself to being healthier and to the journey that lies ahead. The warnings about smoking and surgery are true. Nicotine (NOT JUST SMOKE) constricts your blood vessels and keeps you from healing. Do you really want to do a life changing surgery just to have it all ruined because your body can't heal? Good Luck to you! Feel free to message me if you have any questions or concerns about Chantix. In my opinion, it's a miracle drug.

[Rogofulm 2,440]

You can do this! I smoked for 22 years. During the last 15 of those years, I was smoking 3 packs or more a day. If I took the elevator from one floor to another, I needed to have my smokes with me in case the cable broke. If I wasn't dead, I was gonna smoke! SO... If I can quit smoking, the devil himself can – and so can you! I've been smoke-free for 19 years now, but I remember my addiction as if it were yesterday. Aside from marrying my wife, having a child, and now having bariatric surgery, I still consider quitting smoking as one of the greatest accomplishments of my life.

Okay, Here are some tips:

• Sipping citrus drinks helps curb cravings. Since fruit juices are forbidden after WLS, perhaps Crystal Light lemonade will work.
• Quick intakes of breath also curb cravings.
• If you need to suck on something (since candy will be off limits), try cutting a soda straw to roughly cigarette length. Then stuff it with two coffee stirrers to give it a "draw". There's some satisfaction to be had there.
• For a week or two after surgery, all of your routines will be broken. That also breaks your smoking routines and makes quitting a little easier. I quit the day I had my hip replaced.
• Do not drink alcohol! Whenever someone tells me they quit and then started smoking again, I ask if they had an adult beverage in their hand when they had that first smoke. 100% say yes! The good news is that you're not supposed to drink booze on this program anyway, so that should help.
• And finally, nicotine cravings only last 30 seconds or less. At first they keep coming, but each day that passes, the cravings get weaker, and the time between them gets longer. You can tolerate anything for 30 seconds, right? Keeping this concept front-and-center really helped me make it through.

Good luck -- you can do it! And imagine the double-health benefit you will achieve. You'll feel so much better!!!

Edited November 13, 2014 by Rogofulm

[melva66 56]

Thank you everyone for the advice! I will take all that I can get. It's such a struggle

[tawnya71 37]

My dr. Did a nicotine test on me because I told them I was a social smoker. Said I had to be 6 weeks no smoking to have the surgery. My nicotine test came out neg. So I was good to go.

[clautxs 40]

I stop smoking one week before surgery.. thank God I'm ok.. and I'm not returning.. for now..

[flmommyof2 79]

I have never smoked but was told I will get a nicotine test so I would really try to quit in case you have to take one. You don't want your insurance denying you for not stopping.