I have to quit smoking and I need HELP!!!!

I have been approved by my insurance. I only have one thing standing in my way of a new life. That is smoking. I have to be smoke and nicotine free for 6 weeks. I am so afraid that I will fail that I am finding it hard to make the commitment to quit. Has anyone had to quit smoking in order to have the surgery? I really could use some tips and tricks.....

I quit smoking in 2000 after 16 years. I used the patch, it really worked for me. The hardest part was the physical habit, I had to re-train myself not to reach for a ciggarette after meals, first thing in the morning, on my way to work etc. Thats what I missed the most. Quitting isnt going to work unless your ready to quit. I lost my sis to cancer and mother from heart problem within 6 months of each other, they were both smokers. It kinda put it into perspective for me...Quit or die. Good luck to you!!

I'm going through the same thing right now myself. I have my insurance approval and my doc said he wants me off the smoking for at least 6 weeks before surgery. I have already made one attempt which lasted a whole 17 hours then a really stressful situation came up and I just couldnt take it. I know deep down inside I'm making excuses for myself and I HAVE to do this. But like you I am so afraid that I will fail!! Maybe you and I should buddy up and encourage each other...it might help? A friend of mine told me she used the gum and it worked for her...others have said they used that smokeaway program and that worked for them. I guess we just have to pick something and try it or just go cold turkey with a whole bunch of will power we have hidden somewhere within us lol Good luck! ~hugs~ Konni

My Dr also requires that I quit smoking. I have a bit longer to do it but my goal is to have quit by aug 1. I am using Welbutrin right now and it is helping. I may also start using the patch. The reason it is necessary to quite is not just because of what it does to your lungs..........BUT, more so because it slows the surgery healing process. Smoking causes the blood vessels to constrict....there by making it more difficult for tissue to heal. And, I feel like if I can't be committed to quiting smoking.......how can I be comitted to making my surgical "tool" sucessfully work for me. It seems rather silly for me to put myself thru such a major operation to restore my health........and then to still be hindering my health with smoking. Best of luck to you.........you CAN do it ! Huggs, Kathy

Hi! Totaly understand Hubby and I both quit cold turkey when we found out I was pregnant with our first, and havn't looked back since! We felt like patches, gum and all that only made it mentaly harder, so we didn't use anything. We WOULD reach for a pack of regular gum when the cravings came thought (ok, we chewed gum almost all day) and it really seemed to help. Also, keep busy busy busy! Keeping yourself distracted really helps take your mind off stressful situations. But most importantly you need to keep your goal in mind, and remember why you are doing this!! Every time you even think of stopping and buying cigarettes, tighten that grip on the steering wheel and keep right on going! AH, duty's calling, looks as if my son has gotten ahold of a candle and has a mouth full of wax....interesting. But I must say that it was the best decision we ever made, we feel ALOT better. And after the first week of not smoking, you will understand what I mean! I wish you lots of luck, and quitting buddies do help Amanda

Well, I have decided that tomorrow is Q day. I went and got the nicotine inhaler. I have hubby on board. I told him that if he did not get on board that I was going to leave him with the kids and move out. That did the trick. I have stocked up on gum and warned everyone at work that I might be a bit b@#$%y come Monday. They are all great and said that I can call on them when I am on the edge. They also said that they would have a supply of duct tape handy just in case. They are going to make sure that I make one way or another!! I talked with my boss's wife (she had the surgery last year) and she has been great offering support all the time. She knows that I am having a hard time. I am so glad that my cousin told me about this site. She had the surgery about 2 years ago. I have all these people that are pulling for me and I guess that I am afraid of letting them and myself down. I keep telling myself that once I quit smoking I can save all that money and go on a cruise once I can stand myself in a swim suit again. Well I am headed out to have what I hope is my last smoke of my life.......... Konni, email me and we can try and get through this together!!!!

Hey Tina, I see that you have St. Farm Group Medical. I work at Corp South in the P building. I am about a month and a half post op. I thought I would send you a note to let you know that you can always e-mail me at work and if you need to get away from your desk give me a call and we can go walk instead. Best of luck with quitting. My alias is L4DR. Take care! Molly

I am also at Corp South. I am in the L Buiding. My alias is L9cd. I am having a hard time with quitting. I have it down to half a pack from 2 packs. It would be great to have a non-smoking buddy at work!!