Smoking...

[Cherishthepast 20]

I was informed that I need to stop smoking before the Dr will perform the procedure. Has anyone else had to quit? If so, how in the heck did you manage?

Thanks for any and all thoughts, suggestions...

[TopTier 0]

Oh my!

Well, I don't smoke. I quit about 20 years ago. I have enough health issues to deal with without adding all the damage the toxins in cigarettes will add.

It took me 3 tries to quit, but I did it. You can, too.

Just make up your mind that you're a non-smoker. So as a non-smoker, why the heck would you want/need a cigarette?!

It's a huge mind game. The addiction is strong, but it's easier to beat than a food addiction.

Best of luck to you!

[TSB 1]

My surgeon requires his patients to have been non-smokers and nicotine free for 3 months prior to surgery. I had my PCP prescribe Chantix, as it is a non-nicotine smoking cessation aid. Worked for me. I first quit in February. I have had a couple of episodes when I "fell of the wagon." Because Chantix blocks the whole enjoyment factor in smoking (no nicotine buzz), my slips only lasted a day or two.

[Shay7997 0]

Chantix is wonderful. I quit a year ago thanks to Chantix.

[Kristine73 1]

My husband smoked over 30 years. He quit w/chantix. He's been smoke free for 1 1/2 years, now.

My surgeon requires we are smoke free for 1 month (at the minimum) prior to surgery.

I quit smoking over 10 years ago. Now I'm addicted to gum at least it's sugar free! Surgeons not to trilled about that, lol

Good luck

[ayyypapi 0]

My dad was a big smoker, from when he was 11 to 50 something. He quit using Chantix, he didn't even stay on Chantix that long but it gave him the edge to quit and he hasn't touched a cigarette in over three years.

You have to have the will power to do it though. Just keep reminding yourself all the good that can come from quitting and all the bad that smoking brings. If you don't want to quit its going to be nearly impossible to do so.

[jbarry0201902 2]

I used Wellbutrin. but like with anything you really have to want it. I quit before I started the band journey. My surgeon requires 3 months smoke free and they test you to make sure you are not smoking!

[CantB2noty 0]

I quit in January after smoking since high school, about a pack in 24 hrs. I quit becuz its was time and I wanted too, not becuz I had to quit for a surgery or anything... I haven't even slipped up and this is what I did, hope it helps...

1. pick a quit date and stick to it, during a not so stressful time

2. decide you want to do this for yourself

3. I timed it so that I smoked my last cig as I was going to bed (a normal thing for me) and truly, I said good-bye to my faithful friend. I took my time, enjoyed every puff.... Then I threw away my empty pack and lighter....

My withdrawals weren't too bad, my kids were my biggest cheerleaders. And it was WONDERFUL to see them look at me with pride becuz I was quitting instead of crabbin and me for smoking...

Now, just 5 months later, my lungs tested great in my pulmo testing, no damage at all.. And wow, smokers really smell like smoke, I never smelt the smoke on myself...

Good luck!!!!

[talkalot1981 5]

I was freaking out because my surgeon wanted me to be 2 months smoke free before I would even have my first consult with him. Well I quit Apr 2nd and haven't smoked since. I have switched surgeon due to out of pocket expensive. This surgeon doesn't require me to be smoke free but I still haven't started again. I guess what made me really want to quit was that I wanted the surgery even more. Jennifer

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Smoking can really have a huge impact on how well you do during surgery and afterward for recovery. When we smoke we tend to forget about the carbon monoxide, for example. The last thing you want under anesthesia is for them to have problems keeping you oxygenated. It is staggering how deleterious smoking is, and how not smoking for even a short time can make a huge difference. Smoking also impairs healing.

Sorry about that! I used to smoke, 3-4 packs a day! (back when I smoked it was just starting to become, uh, politically incorrect? It was still legal everywhere when I started in 1980)

Quitting was really hard for me (I would lie in bed at night and cry I wanted to smoke so badly, and I was so mad I'd ever even started!) but I made it. Eventually you get to where you don't want one at all. I used the patch when I quit in 1995 . Nowadays I think I'd use the patch and chantix in a combo.

Quitting smoking is WAY easier than dieting. For example in an office no one ever says "Its Joan's birthday, let's all go out and smoke!" LOL And you can be done with it; we always have to eat. So gather up your courage, get all the help you can, and go for it.

[Cherishthepast 20]

Thanks for all your suggestions and words of encouragement. I also stopped for 12 years, when I was pregnant with my now 15 yr old son. I've been smoking this time around for 2 yrs.

I plan to go on vacation live it up and leave smoking behind. I've never smoked in my home. So, before I leave for vacation I plan to toss the ash trays and rid the patio and garage of my nasty habit - returning to a totally smoke free environment...

Again, thanks!

Edited June 23, 2009 by Cherishthepast

[TopTier 0]

Thanks for all your suggestions and words of encouragement. I also stopped for 12 years, when I was pregnant with my now 15 yr old son. I've been smoking this time around for 2 yrs.

I plan to go on vacation live it up and leave smoking behind. I've never smoked in my home. So, before I leave for vacation I plan to toss the ash trays and rid the patio and garage of my nasty habit - returning to a totally smoke free environment...

Again, thanks!

Kudos! Good for you! And I might add, I don't envy you at all. It's tough to make drastic lifestyle changes. You're hitting yourself with two at a time! You have my utmost respect and I will be sending lots of positive energy your way!

[AlaskaGirl77 0]

All of my friends thought I was nuts when I stopped nicotine,caffine and carbs all on the same day (2 weeks pre op)...It wasn't near as bad as i suspected it would had been! best of luck!

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Thanks for all your suggestions and words of encouragement. I also stopped for 12 years, when I was pregnant with my now 15 yr old son. I've been smoking this time around for 2 yrs.

I plan to go on vacation live it up and leave smoking behind. I've never smoked in my home. So, before I leave for vacation I plan to toss the ash trays and rid the patio and garage of my nasty habit - returning to a totally smoke free environment...

Again, thanks!

Congrats and good luck! Don't hesitate to get help if you find you need it this time (quitting so you'll have a healthy happy baby is a great motivator!) I'm sure you'll kick butt! :smile2: