I need help with quitting smoking

Your PCP can prescribe the Chantix.

Of course many people smoke after surgery, and say "no problem"

Hey, I was fat for 40 years - "no problem" -- but then it catches up with you.  High blood pressure.  Diabetes.  Knee and hip replacements. Etc. Etc. Etc.

So, as far as smoking, when you have a blood clot, it will be a problem.  When you are diagnosed with lung cancer, it will be a problem. When you have a stroke, it will be a problem.  When you develop COPD, it will be a problem.   Until then, "no problem"

Do you think doctor's tell you to stop smoking for no reason?  Smoking is an addiction, and it's very difficult to stop - but there are medications out there to help you.  Take advantage of them.  

Hi there,

My surgeon would not operate on a smoker because of the many risks and because it slows healing.  I took Chantix for two weeks and successfully quit 4 months before surgery.

Now, at eight months post-op and down 174 lbs, I work out six times a week and not smoking is part of my commitment to being in charge of my own health.  You can do it, although it's hard.  Go to a primary care doctor and get a prescription for Chantix and commit yourself to being good to yourself!  In the end, it will be the best thing you have done!

Good luck!

Definitely talk to your PCP about Chantix. Stuff work great for me. Smoked 2-3 packs/day for almost 20 years and with Chantix I quit easily.

I've also quit with Champix several times :)

It's surprisingly easy to quit.  You keep smoking after taking it, then after about 2 weeks you just stop.  It's a nicotine receptor blocker and makes smoking less of a buzz...

My only caution is KEEP TAKING IT.  Doctors generally prescribe a 6 month supply.  I've quit a few times, then stopped taking Champix, then thought I could have "just one"...

Remember  to never quit quitting!

Recently I had an emergency operation to fix a perforated ulcer. When I talked to the surgeon, he said that as an RNY patient, there are 2 main ways for me to get an ulcer. One was taking NSAIDS (I had been cleared to take a baby aspirin every day) and the other was smoking. I was 8 months out when I started to have symptoms and had to have emergency surgery.

Trust me, that kind of pain you do not want to have. Deal with it now. Think about getting healthy.

To echo others, you owe it to yourself to stop. I've been smoke free since 3/3 and it was the best decision I've ever made. It was hard, but I did it. After the first 5 days I barely thought about it any longer. I got an app for my iPhone to show me how many days it had been and how much money I'm saving. If I ever get a craving, I just look at that app and see 170 days since I smoked, 3405 cigs I haven't smoked and a savings of $2,095.78. (Cigs were $12.51 here in downtown Chicago when I quit). 

I promise you can do it. If you need an Rx, do it. You only get one go-'round and smoking is just cutting that ride shorter for no reason. 

I quit smoking 17 years ago, and as hard as it was, I'd probably be dead by now if I hadn't. Several years after my rny (which I had 8 years after I quit) I developed a severe marginal ulcer, and ended up requiring a revision. My surgeon said they're very rare in nonsmokers, but fairly common in smokers.  After going through the hell that I did, I beg you to please, please, quit smoking. There are so many terrible effects of smoking, and not one single good one.

my surgeon told me cigarette smoking can cause ulcers after weight loss surgery.

I quit two months ago; having a summer flu was the impetus.  I love food but I think I loved cigarettes even more. Once you get past day three and you begin smelling how much you, your clothes, and house stink you'll not want to light another one up.  For those three days all you'll think about is a smoking and how easy it is just to say **** it and go to the store and get a pack.  When I go t to that point I went out for a walk. The craving passed and I got some "exercise" in.  Wellburtin/Bupropion is a huge help as Chantix made me want to slit my wrists.  I can't believe how good breathing feels now. Seriously, it's amazing, and I only wish I'd have done it years ago.  If those aren't reason enough, put the cash you'd normally spend on a pack in a jar. After two weeks, get a good fire going on the grill and try to throw that money in.