How Many REALLY Quit Smoking before and after?

My question is for the TRUTH. How many continued to smoke before their surgery and after. Just curious cause it has been a very hard thing for me and I am wondering how it will be after the surgery because NOW I am using food as a replacement and after I won't be able to use food. My surgery is this coming Wednesday the 20th and I'm getting that anxious feeling and really have the desire for a cig and it makes me so angry. I can't wait for my NEW Life to begin and pray that all my addicitions will consist only of being HEALTHY..................Thanks for listening..............Sandy

Sandy- I trust me I understand. I am a smoker. I have not quit yet. And according to what I have read about the surgeon I have selected I will not have to quit if I pass my pulmonary tests. Although he does urge his patients to quit. Trouble is I do not know if I will pass the pulmonary screening. I have been dragging my feet a little and I think that is why. My husband is nagging me about it too. My hat is off to you for quitting. It may sound trite but it is true -- you really do have to take it one day at a time. If you have gone this long -- wear a patch --have more sex-- chew the gum -- try the inhalers -- have more sex-- get the zyban -- have more sex --- spend more time in the bathtub -- have more sex -- do whatever it takes. I know my life would be better if I did not smoke. I am so scared right now that I already have emphysema. I learned something new today too. I was at the eye doctors and he told me that if you smoke and you take vitamin A supplements there seems to be a link to an increased risk of developing lung cancer. Just what we needed to hear. Since vitamin A is one of the supplements most WLS patients have to take. I quit smoking once for two years. It was the longest two years of my life. There was not a day of that period of time that I did not want a cigarette. I know you are angry. You are angry at the cigarettes and you are angry at yourself and you are angry at all the people that are putting pressure on you to quit. I know you feel like if you hear one more person tell you "it is for your own good" or "you will feel so much better" or any of those other bull----- sappy phrases you will go right over the edge. My response to that sort of thing brings to mind the term "lone gunman". I hate it. And I say tell them. Tell them you are hurting, tell them you are angry, tell them, to leave you alone about cigarettes. Tell them that this is your battle. If you make it wonderful -- but if you dont -- not to lay a rash of crap on you because at least you had the courage to try. Sweetie-- it took courage. Remind youself of that when it gets hard. When you started that second day without a smoke and then a third-- and so on ---do you realize how many people you left in the dust. Think about that. You did it. Whatever happens after this-- no one can take away the victory you have already won. I hope your surgery is a success -- and that you have a smooth, easy uneventful recovery.

Sandy, not to make this matter seem trite, but I didn't quit completely before surgery and started back the day I got home. I cut back a bit, but it is very hard to stop this habit when you are in the middle of preparing yourself for this huge life-changing moment in your life. I have had no problems, not during surgery nor after, because of smoking. This is not my "get out of jail free card" to keep smoking. It would be best for you to quit. I didn't have the willpower. Best of luck! Patty

Sandy, the first thing you need to know everyone is differant I was a smoker for 28 years. I attempted 2x's it is not easy. My surgeon I had the first time would not do the surgery unless I quit. So that was a big motivator. It was 2 years in Jan that I quit. I had surgery 7months ago. I was very lucky and I think is was because I had quit smoking. I dont really miss it. I quit cold turkey, smoked about 1 pack a day. I am around no smokers now which also makes it easy. I work in the medical field and I ask my kids did I really smell that bad when I smoked and they both say YES!!!!!!!!!! Just go in with a positive mind, and dont worry about the smoking how long have you stopped? so the only other thing I want to say is Good Luck with your surgery you will have many people praying and thinking good thoughts for you Nancy

I quit smoking 1 month befreo my surgery, I am 9 months out and have not even TOUCHED a cigarreee. it is doable... There are so many complication that MIGHT occour if you continue to smoke, my father was my anesthisiologist and he begged me to stop smoking at least 1 month before surgery! It is up to you, I don't think anyone here is going to "dog" you if u don't quit, just make sure you make an informed decison. Good luck to ya! Vivi

sandy, i am a smoker. i just had surgery on 4/4/05 and i had to let it go atleast 1 week before surgery. even though i had cut down 1 mos before because poeple told me so many diff things with anestisia and smoking and the lungs. your lungs do play a big role in this surgery abd you dont want any complications. i was complication free im home doing fine and i have lost -25lbs and it will be 2 weeks on monday and i still havent smoked. i took a drag and it tasted so wierd for me. i dont know if i eventually will pick it up agaiin. but for now i am focusing on making myslef healthy and that is a good step. dont you think.. even though im dying for one... lol. well good luck and keep it up.. i wish you a speedy recovery and complication free surgery... jennifer