smoking

Hello everyone I am new to the site. My surgery is July 22nd. I am very worried because I am still smoking I have cut back and bought an e CIG because I will quit but the stress of not quitting is making me have trouble quitting. I cannot have surgery postponed as i lose my insurance in September any tips would be very helpful!! Thank you

My dear... what are you expecting to hear from us?  There are no "tips" to give.  Because there is ONLY ONE WAY OUT OF THIS - and it's a simple simple equation:

If you want the surgery you must quit smoking.  Period.

So, you need to ask yourself; How badly do you want this?  If the answer is "I really really do!" then you must QUITE SMOKING.  If the answer is, "I think I do", then I'm guessing you're not ready for the hard core commitment this surgery takes to succeed.  Do NOT get the surgery unless you have the commitment to do so.  There are hundreds of people on these boards who went forward, had the surgery, did NOT follow the program to a "T" (and that involves NO SMOKING), and end up failing.

So again, How badly do you want to change your life?

Only YOU can answer that question.

Good luck and I hope you choose health over cancer-sticks and coffin nails.

Yes I want it more than anything. I just meant tips on how to keep busy from smoking I hate smoke I'm just stressing That I have not quit yet. Also do you have any tips for after surgery that really helped you?

I know you will get there. Have faith in yourself :)

Thank you so much

Tips:

When you want a smoke:

1) go for a 10 minute walk (this is a two-fer of course!)

2) organize a drawer

3) clean the oven

4) read a book/magazine story

5) look up a new recipe and buy the ingredients and MAKE IT

6) organize your closet

7) water the plants

8) get the car washed

9) drink a HUGE glass of water (two-fer!)

10) chew sugar free gum

11) put a rubber band on your wrist and snap it - hard - when you want one

12) call a friend

13) go to the park and watch kids play

14) aimlessly drive around and look at stuff

15) window shop at the mall

16) vacuum the house

18) clean your windows

19) sort stuff to go to Goodwill

20) give yourself a pedicure

When you've finished all twenty, start over again.

Regarding after surgery - it's the same things.  It's an enemy which takes a long time to vanquish.  But it IS doable.  Baby steps - one hour, or minute, at a time.  Reward yourself.  Once you've gone a day without smoking, take a long bath, or go get some sugar free yogurt.  A week?  Buy yourself some flowers!  Etc.

Thank you I appreciate the tips. I know I can do this it will be worth it 

print this out and check em off as you go with the date you did it - before long that paper will be all marked up AND you'll have added your own - which is visually very motivating!

21.  Vigorous sex.

But that would just make me want to smoke.  Ha!