I GOT APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!

I just got approved for surgery from my insurance company. WOW. I am so scared. I am on the phone with my sister and she is railing at me about how I have to quit smoking. She just said that if I don't quit NOW she is going to call my doctor and make him postpone the surgery until I do quit. How's that for tough love? I am scared to death. I am going to quit now. I promised myself that I would quit when I got the approval from the ins co. Now it's time to put up or shut up. Thanks for listening to me ramble on.... I am sure there will be more later. Sue

Hi Sue, Try not to be frightened, Ask all the questions you can think of. Thats what your doctor and this board are all about. You really should quit smoking as it is not good for especially when your going to have surgery. Best of Luck!

Congratulations on your insurance approval. Please try and quit smoking. Your heart and lungs will thank you. It will help prevent having complications during and after surgery. Keep us posted on your progress. Best of luck Sher

Congratulations!! It is very hard to quit but you CAN do it! I did it and trust me I LOVED my smokes - I was a huge, huge ADDICT - those cancer sticks dictated a lot in my life............but it's just a battle of will - you have to be prepared to just say "no" to that stupid addictive voice in your head - at first the voice will be at you often and it will be a constant battle between you and your addiction - but the more times you say "no" the time between battles will extend and after the hump of the first week it gets a little easier - not a ton but each passing day just gets you more and more in the habit of being in control of your life and not having some addiction rule you. I miss them sometimes - but what I don't miss is the SMELL, the EXPENSE, the HASSLE and the smoker WHEEZE in the morning - saying good-bye to these things was such a blessing in my life!! YOU CAN DO IT!! Just set your MIND to it - use any of the tools available to you that work - my mother quit at 65 years old - she had smoked for 50 YEARS and she kicked the habit for 3 years now!! She used the patch...........my husband used the gum.........I was pregnant so I just used pure will to protect my unborn child.......whatever it is that can help you use it - get a support person (who understands about addictions) to whine to when you really, really, really want a smoke........Congratulations on your date - you will NEVER REGRET quitting - you will only regret not quittng!! Best of luck to you on your journey! Tammy

Dr Aranow makes you stop smoking, otherwise no go. Why bother losing weight if you are going to keep smoking? (not trying to be rude, just blunt- I am a hospice nurse, I see the effects of smoking....)

All of you are absolutely right. I am feeling scared right now and my cigarettes are my "safety net". I have alot of swirling emotions right now and the thought of not smoking scares me to death, but I will do it. I WILL do it. Momo- You are 150% correct in your statement. Why bother, indeed. I will be tested for nicotine 2 days before my surgery. If there is any nicotine in my blood the surgery is off. Here is something strange... I am scared to death of dying during or after surgery (I am nuts like that) but here I am puffing away, everyday, 20 times a day INVITING CANCER INTO MY BODY!!!!! Thank you all for your support and wishes of good luck. You really are a great bunch of people. I will keep you updated. Sue

Sue, I find WLS patients to be some of the most courageous people on the planet; and we are made of tough stuff! I quit smoking nearly 20 years ago and now I'm a vigilante about it - can't stand to be around the smell and will not allow anyone to smoke around me, my kids, or on my property. It's just crap and you gotta just walk away from it. You can do this! And you don't want to blow your surgery date - so find something else to suck on!!!

You have hit the nail on the head. Thank you so much for your surpport!!!! I Can and Will do this (pumping up determination) and I will try to remember to BREATHE!!!!!!! AAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! Thanks so much. sue