Guess What, Maysters!

Today is my quit date! I'm trying, once again, to give up cigarettes. I have PS in 4.5 months and I'm self paying and I refuse to plop down 10k so I can die or have complications or big nasty scars, so I'm doing everything I can to get myself physically and mentally ready for it. I started exercising at home - really! - and when Aaron's schedule changes next week, I can start adding walking back to my routine as I can walk in the morning before he leaves. This morning I did a WHOLE mess of sit ups, left lifts, stretching and even, groan, squats! OW! I gotta tell you guys, though, the weight gain scares me... I'm doing "the patch" and while reading the literature that comes with it, I came across the whole "weight gain" dilemma - it said something like "weight gain is possible and common when quitting smoking, but gaining 5 or 10 pounds is worth the health benefits of quitting" blah blah blah... I dunno, guys, I'm not sure my brain can process that, seriously. I think, well, yeah, quitting is so much healthier, but if I start gaining.... I'm not sure psychologically, I'm strong enough... Of course, I'm taking all the precautions - starting up my exercise, watching, very carefullly what I'm eating this week, etc. but part of it is just a change in metabolism... I DO NOT want to gain any weight! Ugghhhh.... Why didn't I stick with this the last time... I'm such a dumb@ss... Oh well, it is what it is... Wish me luck!

LOTS O' LUCK, Becky. You can do it. I think focusing the nervous energy to smoke on taking a walk or getting moving is a great idea! A big suggestion - when you get to be about 1 month pre-op-PS... add an extra protein shake or two a day. It helps to put your body in better condition for healing. Leilani (among others) did this for her plastics and her surgeon now recommends it for all his PS patients (not all post-WLS). And continue them post-op til you are well healed. Luff ya, Kathy

Thanks for the wishes and the tip. I actually thought about that the other day, as I was doing some research. I started some protein supps prior to WLS and I think it had something to do with how well and quickly I healed... Have a good day, Sweety, you deserve one.

You can do it, becky!!!!

Good Luck Becky!!!! I am rooting for you!!! Andrea

Becky, You are so doing the right thing! Good luck! Lori

Way to go, Becky! You can do it, I know you can. Look at what you've overcome already, this is just one more step onto your new you!!! I'm proud of you and you know we're all here for you. Michelle

Take it from a bigger dumb@$$. I quit for 20 years and I'm back up to a pack a day since WLS. I've promised myself to quit again after another 40lbs or by next April. Which ever comes first. I wish you the BEST of LUCK. Kate Z

Hey Becky, Tonight at 11:00 pm will mark my official 16 month anniversary for quitting. It was a lot tougher for me than anything else on this journey. Please give yourself a pat on the back for each step you take and please be gentle with yourself. Quitting is not easy. There are many tips I can give to you. First off you have to be ready to do it. You have to have a strong motivation. My strongest one was that the surgeon was taking a nicotine test and would not do the surgery on me if I had nicotine in my system!! lol. So I had to find a way!!! Second... I went to a website called Quitnet.com It is still out there, and i highly recommend checking it out. They have a website with a chatroom that is open 24/7 with other people that are quitting and some are on their first day and will talk you off of a 'slip' if you are thinking of giving in and having that first drag/puff. Check it out!! I also would go for long walks when I wanted to smoke, and inhale deeply. I drank A TON of water to flush out the impurities, and I sucked on sugar free mints and brushed my teeth A LOT. I used nicorette lozengers..... and I cried a lot that first 30 days. I also looked at the American cancer society web site and read about cancer patients and lung disease.... harsh, yes.... but after smoking for 20 plus years... I needed motivation... And finally.... i thought about my cash flow (or lack of....!!) haha.... PLEASE..... DO NOT TAKE THIS LIGHTLY.... smoking is hard to give up, and it is so addictive. quitting smoking and giving up food addictions is also hard. oh, did I mention that i went to a therapist for 6 months too???? yes, its true!! I found it to be so very helpful, and luckily I had some insurance that did help out a little bit, but I did have a deductible and a co-pay, and I also went to the group meetings through my surgery for WLS and that help with my food issues. Do anything and everything to battle your issues. Walk, drink water and excercise your mind... get lots of sleep if you can and talk to your friends and only talk to your family if they are not nuts.... lol love, Jess hugs!

Best wishes, Becky, Seems life is full of the ' 3 steps forward, 2 steps back' thought. The beauty is that every time we try anew, we get that much closer to the goal. It isn't important that we do it 'perfectly' , we seem to all be a bit perfectionist sometimes. The important thing is that you are being very wise to think ahead and plan for the best possible health before your ps and the best possible results. I applaud you in your healthy planning. You have alot of support here to hold you up as you stride forward and to help you back up if you have a slip along the way. Happy trails Mary