I CAN NOT be the only one---Smokers?

Hey all,  I am filling out my patient packet. No smoking for 2 months prior to surgery. No date for surgery yet. 1st appt on 05/14/08. Any tips, advice, knowledge of this is reference to the WLS  process? I may try Chantix, my neighbor had success with that. I don't smoke a lot, maybe 10 cigs a day because we have to go outside to smoke (little girl inside) and I am lazy, and I hate bugs...cold..too hot...too humid etc...but even with all that I do still go out there about 10 times a day....   Alicia

Alicia, Yes I too am a smoker.  It was hard giving it up before the surgery, but my doc was very serious when it came to giving it up.  She performed a blood test on the day of my surgery and she told me if it was positive, she would not do it.  I am not sure if she really did it or nor, but I did stop.  I was so desperate to have the surgery I was not taking any chances. You can do it! Best of Luck!

Hey Alicia!

I don't smoke but I do know from the pre-op class we have to take that it is in the book and the nurse stresses about the smoking.  And I "think" that my doc also checks the morning of surgery to see if the patient has been smoking.  He will not operate on a smoker.  You really do want to get your lungs as healthy as possible before your surgery.  And just think how much better it will be when your weight is gone....you can run and play with the little one without wheezing from your crud filled lungs!  Hope you can get something to help you quit.  My Dad did it cold turkey!  (And he had been a smoker for about 45 years!)  So I know that if he can do it, ANYONE can do it!  deb

No help here... Never touched a cigerette in my life. 

I don't inhale either! LOL    No I am a good girl

Well I'm gonna look at this way, I wanted to lose weight to see my little girl get married and have a baby..maybe now, smoke free,  I'll make it to see her have grandbabies!!  Highly unlikely..I had her when I was forty..but, okay I'll be a much healthier 90 year old ole bitty!!   Alicia

Yes, ideally you want to be completely smoke free by surgery day.  The potential for pneumonia for smokers is really high and not something you even want to deal with.  Chantix works beautifully for reducing the cravings, but there can be side effects and you should pay attention if they start occurring.  I have a very, very bad nicotine addiction.  I have tried gums, patches, hypnosis, Zyban, cessation classes and Chantix.  Everything except the Chantix failed miserably.  The Chantix calmed the cravings within the first week and I had no desire for a cigarette after two weeks.  However, I also began to have problems sleeping, very bizarre nightmares, and severe stomach pain after taking the pills.  The pain and nausea became so bad that my primary had to take me off of them.  Afterward, I also read that some patients using Chantix developed severe psychological problems.  Perhaps sleep deprivation was a cause.  The article didn't say.   Smoking only 10 cigarettes per day....I KNOW you can do this!  If there is one thing we WLS patients pre and post op learn, it is how to be persistant to get what you know will make your life better.  This will and you CAN. :)

I was a pack a day smoker for 27 years (I'm almost 37...you can do the math LOL) and I first tried Chantix and it would be ok for the first week but when I got to the full strength, man it made me crazy.  I was constantly sick to my stomach and I could never sleep.  I really hated it.  I then switched to the patch and I have been smoke free for about 6 weeks now.  the patch cuts out the nicotine cravings which leaves you to deal with the actual habit which I'm still fighting.  In the long run, it'll be best to stop it all.  Good luck to ya!

QUIT QUIT QUIT QUIT QUIT!!!! You wouldn't believe, but today is my 6 months quit anniversary!!!  I quit cold turkey.  I kind of had help because I had strep throat, so I didn't even have the urge to smoke for 3 days.  By the 4th day, it was all mental.  It was hard (the mental) I won't lie.  I smoked about 15 cigs a day.  My major place was in the car on the way to work and coming home from work.  2-3 cigs each way (45 min ride).  That first day....  WHOA!  I had to actually YELL at myself that it was NOT heroin and I was NOT a junkie.  LOL. But I did it, and I'm not special so you can do it too.  It does definitely get easier, day by day.  Today, I can't even stand the smell of cigarettes.  When I find myself thinking I could really use a cig, I just scream at the top of my lungs to let out some stress (if I'm alone, LOL).  It works. If you need motivation, look at your daughter and then Google lung cancer patients and imagine her looking at you looking like that.  That also helped me through the early days.  Mind over matter.  You can do it if you really want to.  Good luck!!!!

Tiffany, "Google lung cancer patients" That is great advice, I once worked with a Pharmacist that told me to go to the Vent Unit at Hopkins and I would for sure quit. I may try that google thing, that is the kind of image I need to keep me on the straight and narrow...and we are (hubby and I) gonna try cold turkey. Because I had a friend too who allso suffered with her stomach with the Chantix. My neighbor was fine, but one night some crazy dude was banging on her door and she had to call police and she asked us for a cig after it was over and she threw up on 2nd drag!! That Chantix must be hard core...   I know I can do it...I HAVE TO, right?? Alicia