Any Smokers or previous smokers

I am pre-op and do not have a date yet, but I know we have to quit smokingbefore surgery.  I have quit for a week now but seem to be putting on more weight since I quit.  Anyone else struggle with this issue????

I know what you're feeling! I did quit for 3 months before surgery and I'm glad I did because I had no problem waking up from anesthesia (smokers wake up coughing) and no problems healing.  However, and I know I'm setting myself up for some lashing here, I did start back up again two months after surgery.  It's a bad, bad thing and can cause ulcers and perforations, and all sorts of bad stuff.  It just takes motivation to quit and I know I can do it again...I just need that motivation.

In the past two years, I have quit smoking about 4 times.  Every time I did, I noticed that I ate like a pig for 3 days and then I was ok.  It's that whole 72 hour rule.  If you can get through the first 72 hours, you're golden.  What I would suggest for you to not gain weight is first of all-buy a scale and see if you're really putting on weight or if it's all in your head.  I went years without a scale which is why I ended up at over 350 pounds.  Secondly, I know the need to have something in your mouth.  So, do these things...

Chew gum, eat fruit or vegetables - something crunchy that's not high in fat or carbs.  Take a walk.  I know - people say that all the time, but it's so true.  When you want to smoke, go for a walk...you'll be doing your body some good.  And lastly, drink tons of water to wash out all those toxins from the cigarettes.

Good luck - it's such a hard thing to do and once you do quit, don't pick up another one because you'll have to quit all over again! I keep kicking myself for being such a moron and smoking that first cigarette...they're like a potato chip....you can't have just one!!!

Michelle

isn't it time for a pix change, michelle?  100 lbs plus lost...you don't look the same, I'm sure! Paula

how long before surgery do u have to quit ?  i am on my 4th month as a non smoker yes i put on ab 5 lbs but that stop now  i am watching the calories and not snacking..when ever i craved for a cig i would take a deep breath hold it and let it go, also ice water and chewing on the ice and also gum will help keep the food out  get some low cal snacks and walk arubabird

Michelle gave you some great advise.  I wasn't a smoker, but know a lot who were/are.  Also, put a good sized width rubber band on your wrist, and when you want to smoke, snap it really hard...it'll smart and desenitize you by altering your thought processes...smoke enders group use it all the titme. Walk, too.  good for the endorphins and getting your lungs working better and for healing. YOU CAN DO THIS...don't worry about the weight gain..if you're concerned, call Lois at Dr. Aranow's office and talk to her about it...or Liz...they'd rather have you off the smokes so you can have a good surgery...I'm sure. paula

Susan....I tell you this because I don't want ANYONE to suffer through what I am dealing with. I quit smoking more than 6 months before my RNY. 2 months after surgery, I started up again when I found myself at a complete loss for stress relief. I never realized how much I snacked when stressed. Now I have quit again because Dr. Aranow has diagnosed me with an ulcer. Yep, an ulcer. Fun. I am in Pain, on 2 different meds for it, on a liquid diet again to not irritate it. . . . You are still pre-op. Now is the time to quit, and find outletts for your stress so that  you will be less likely to pick it up again and won't have to suffer through an ulcer. Best of luck to you.

I have to admit...I did not quit before surgery (RNY on 2/28/07).  My surgeon never told me to...though I knew it couldn't be a bad idea....BUT, I have now been smoke-free for 2 months thanks to CHANTIX.  If you have not heard of this magic pill, check into it!  It is amazing!  The only down side is that insurances will not cover it yet.  BUT it doesn't cost any more than you are used to spending on cigarettes anyway, and it WORKS!!  I tried the patch and gum, and of course "will power", but none of them worked (and that gum tastes NASTY to me)...but this Chantix binds to the receptors that manage your addiction to cigarettes or something like that, and you don't crave...you don't get moody or anything!!  Just like WLS, you may have to manage some behaviors that you associated with your habit (for me, reading and smoking kinda went together)  but you should seriously check this stuff out.  Nothing in it for me!  I just wanted to pass along something that has worked wonderfully for me and some of my friends. Kimba