HELP! I CANNOT STOP SMOKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Does anyone have any advice to offer in this area? I have done the patch-twice. The first time caused some symptoms that my dr actually thought I was having a heart attack. Spent the night in the hospital and all was ok. After that they put me on Wellbutrin. Might as well have stuck that in my...ear. Did no good at all. Reluctanly tried the patch again. Works great while I am at work but as soon as I punch the clock at 5:00 I am fit to be tied. I know that in order to have this surgery I have to be smoke free for 3 mo. Also I know I have to wait for my next endoscope before I get the final go ahead for surgery. So that don't help either but in the mean time I could have been that much further ahead. I think there should be a link on this web site for a computer simulated picture of yourself after the surgery to give you a little more to work for. Any input anyone can give me on this would be greatly appreciated. I am willing to try anything.

Hi Kim I can't offer you any advice, as I have never smoked. But I was going to mention the before and after pictures. Since they don't have a simulator (that WOULD be cool!!) do the next best thing and look at all the other peoples pics. I know when I was preop, and even now when I get a little discouraged, I look at them. They are a GREAT source of inspiration. Best of luck to you Sheila

Morning Kim, I'm a smoker also, didn't quit before surgery but quit while I was in the hospital, well for a few days anyway. Went right back to it of all the stupid things. Sorry can't help you. They say to stay away from areas, phone etc where you smoke the most. Or make yourself go outside....me giving advice when I can't quit myself. Look at the before/after photos they are such an inspiration & so are the profiles. Good luck to you Carolyn

Hi Kim, Sorry you are having problems quiting!I dont have anything I can really tell ya about quitting except how I did it ( I am very stubborn,lol) I smoked off and on since I was 9 yr's old,at night I was starting to sound like an aguarium bubbling away..I was having to use 2 dif inhalers..and we wont mention how long it took for me to stop coughing in the morning(after that first a.m. puff) Well with that and other various health problems I decided I badly wanted to quit!I had a surgery coming up(hysterectomy)and I set my mind that when I went in the hospital,I would've smoked my last 1...like I said when my mind is made up!!! I havent smoked a cig.since March 23,2004. how is that for stubborn,LOL! I dont use any inhaler anymore,the only coughing I do is when I have a cold,which isnt a lot anymore,is from to much smoke from someone else's I usually have to move when around other smoker's the smoking part dont bother me..the smoke does good luck Kim I hope you make..it really is awesome! Take care and keep us posted,my prayers are with you! Lori A.

I feel for ya!!! Sending you good thoughts There is a place that transforms ya kinda it is at vitualmodel.com check it out...and the before and after pics are great too.....Take Care and Good Luck! Jesi

Kim try the patches again. Wear them 24 hrs a day. I have read it takes the average person several times to quit. The third time I tried the patches it worked for me. I also did counted cross stitch to keep my hands busy.I smoked over 25 yrs and was up to almost 3 pks a day. It was the hardest thing to do and it will be 5 yrs in Dec. Keep trying Kim, remember you are having wls to get healthy, and to keep smoking is not good. Cindy

Kim get that patch on!!! You can do it. I did it. It sucks but you can quit.Set your mind to it. I still miss smoking some times. Especially if I am stressed. The number one thing to remember is, if you stumble and break down and have one, keep at it. Just because you have one cig. does not mean "your smoking again". Quitting takes practice. Everytime you go for even a day your getting better at not smoking. You build coping skills everyday to deal with the urges to smoke. You will get better and better at it!!!! Shelli

Hey Kim all I can add to this is I too smoked for 33yrs and have now been smoke free for 1yr and 4mo's. It is the hardest thing I ever did next to losing weight and keeping it off. I did quit once for 5 yrs yep 5 yrs only to start again because I just wanted 1 cig well it never ended up being 1 cig. My experience is cold turkey is the only way to go. I chewed on straws and sugar free candy (hard) and everytime I wanted one I would remember my last asthma attack. I know this is a hard thing to do but I feel it is worth it to have the surgery. Every time you want one go for a walk or something that will occupy your thoughts. I used to say after I had my surgery I was going to start again, because yes you do continue to miss it at times but now that I have had it I have no desire to start again. The breathing is so much easier now. I can only wish you the best of luck and say it will be well worth it. Just remember you are bigger (no pun intended) and better than that cig. Good luck and and keep us posted.