Question:
Any ideas on ways to quit smoking before the surgery.
I know that I really need to quit smoking before I have my surgery. I haven't even had a consultation yet, that is coming June 29th, but I know I have to quit. up until today, I have been ignoring that I have to quit, saying to myself that I can do it when it is time, but something struck me today and I want to quit asap. A commercial on the TV showing a man whose wife died of lung cancer at the age of 46 and the infamous line "I didn't know 23 was middle age". YIKES. I want/need to quit, but I am afraid. Any suggestions from former smokers on how to go about quitting with the least discomfort?? Thanks — enjo4 (posted on June 7, 2000)
June 7, 2000
Erin, I know exactly what you're going through. I gave up smoking on
2/2/99 after 38 years of smoking and after 14 previous unsuccessful
attempts at giving it up. In my total 15 attempts I can to one very true
conclusion. You can't just work on the physical addiction to cigarettes,
you also have to address your psychological addiction or you're doomed to
failure. Did you check the library of Q&A? There are a lot of good
suggestions there. I'd be happy to talk to you about it more if you want
to email me directly. Now I tell everyone that the three best things I've
ever done for myself are: #1 - marry my husband, Bob, who is the greatest;
#2 give up smoking last year; #3 had my WLS surgery on 5/8/00. You can do
it but it is not easy. I will give you every bit of advice and support
that I can.
— Nancy G. W.
June 7, 2000
Erin, I, too, quit smoking before my surgery. I told myself that the day
that I had a definate surgery date that I'd quit and I did! Cold turkey!
I'd smoked for 20 years. Yes, it was hard, but I knew that smoking could
cause further complications with any kind of surgical procedure and I was
determined to do whatever I could to reduce those risks and have a
successful surgery. I, too, kept an unopened pack of cigarettes in my
purse, but never opened it. I really don't think that I could have
"tapered" off so that only left two other choices...continue
smoking or just walk away completely...NOW! One thing that helped a little
was some bits of behavior modification. Instead of sitting in my favorite
chair(where I always smoked watching TV,) I moved to another chair...or
moved the chair completely and put the end table on my left side rather
than my right side. I put my purse in the back seat of the car before
getting in myself so I wouldn't be so tempted to reach for my cigarette
case while I was driving. I removed all my ashtrays out of my reach...I
washed them and put them all up in the cupboard. I came in the front door
instead of the back door. I changed my "routine" slightly so I
less likely to just grab a cigarette out of habit. I drank water or tea
after dinner instead of a second cup of coffee, or immediately moved away
from the table and stuck my hands in soapy dishwater. And, yes, I b**ched
at my kids and snapped at co-workers for a while, but they really did
understand and graciously allowed me to apologize later. I also seemed to
get ALOT of clothes mending done during that time to keep my hands busy,
again, so as not to reach for a cigarette. It's not easy, Erin, but you
can do it...this surgery is worth the effort. Set yourself a goal date to
quit and stick to it. Good luck. cj
— cj T.
June 7, 2000
Erin, I sympathize with you. I quit smoking about five years ago. I wish
there was an easy way, but there isn't that I know of. For me, cold turkey
was the only way to go. I had no cigarettes anywhere I could get to &
stayed away, consciously, from any of my friends who smoked for a good
month. I stayed away from anywhere I was likely to run into cigarettes
because I knew myself & knew I was weak. I had "quit" several
times before & it was always just one toke that led to just one smoke
that led to me being hooked again. Once I made up my mind, I just plain
didn't do it any more. The first few days were worst, then it began to
gradually taper off. I have to tell you, honestly, there are still times
today when I feel like I want a cigarette, after five years! I just don't
do it. I think that's the key...no matter how much you WANT it....you just
DON'T. It's not easy, but it is effective. And the craving becomes
manageable fairly quickly. My hopes & best wishes are with you. You'll
be so proud when you succeed at this. YOU CAN DO IT!!!!
— Kathy W.
Click Here to Return