Hi...BMI 54

I have begun my weight loss journey this week and am very excited. My BMI is 54 and I am very anxious to get to the doctor and ghis thing going. I have so many comorbidities and I am only 41. I need help from anywhere I can get.
My worst thing is I am a smoker nd I know I have to quit. Anyone have a suggestion? I am considering going cold turkey. If I can do that then I think I will be better off in the end. I just do not want to gain more weight or get my sugar going more whacky than it is.
You are seem so supportive so I hope I can come here and talk some.

Thanks and Merry Christmas.

Welcome, tmiller (you may want to sign your posts, so we know your name!).   You've come to the right place!  These are very supportive women who have been through it all, too.   In fact, we have a couple of them quitting smoking right now, too.     I quite a long time ago, luckily, so didn't have to fight that demon!   You can do it.

Good luck and come talk any old time!   Merry Christmas to you, too.

WELCOME!!!

I think for a lot of people, quitting smoking is sometimes worse than having the surgery!

But you can do it!

My mom was successful using the patch. Other people I know have used the gum. Don't be afraid to ask for help.

Thank you so very much! My name is Toni. Have a great Christmas!

Merry Christmas Toni,,

I quit smoking in 2001. I watched two dear friends die with cancer that year.. horrible painful deaths.. I finally realized I was killing myself one cigarette at a time.. I applaude you for wanting to quit.. making up your mind to do it is half the battle.. You can do it.. You have the surery to look forward to.. many docs will not perfoem the surgery if you smoke.. so there is more incentive to quit right there.. smoking will cause ulcers in your new pouch.. so you really do need to quit.. dont worry about gaining weight.. once you quit and get the surgery that will take care of that.. first things first.. QUIT.. I did do it cold turkey but man it was not fun.. headaches and mood swings and cravings.. I sent my dad the patches and he used them along with a fake cigarette that was smokeless but gave the slavor of smoking.. it worked great for him.. I chew gum instead of smoking but my jaws got so sore and now after the surgery I cant chew gum and had to get off that habit.. No matter what you try.. know that we are all here to support you.. Discuss your plans with your doc or surgeon and they will help with the blood sugar issues and the weight gain ..

You are welcome to come here for help a kind word or encouragement or anything else you will need help with.. or just to talk or vent as a lot of us do.. This is the best forum on OH.. everyone will support you here..

So go for it...YOU CAN DO IT>>

Thanks! This is the year I will change my life for myself. I quit cold turkey today. It was my Christmas present to myself. I will worry about tomorrow when it gets here. I am ready for suregery all but that. I figure that if I can keep myself away from those I can do anything.

Later Toni

congrats toni best of luck YOU CAN DO IT!! 

Thats great.. I am proud of the decision you made to better your life.. that was the best Christmas gift you could get from anyone.. is your health.. and only you can give it..
You can do it.. it will not be easy I konw that for a fact but you can do it..
Just keep the goal in mind..  the surgery for one thing and the fact that you will have a brand new healthy life..

I will keep you in my prayers.. just keep saying " I CAN DO IT   I CAN DO IT.." convince your self that you can and you will..

if you need an encouraging word come on here for help.. if you slip get right back up on the horse and try again.. we are all behind you..

Hi Toni

Just wanted to check in on you and see how you were doing without cigarettes -
be very proud of yourself and keep reminding yourself of the fact that you love yourself and are doing this for you - I quit in November cold turkey after 26 years - my surgeon would not perform my surgery unless I quit ---- anyway I used atomic fireballs... I would get a craving and suck on the fireball until it passed and then spit them out... if you are having a tough time give it a shot
Good luck!
Regina

Hi Toni, I'm newer to the boards with a high BMI too. I don't smoke, but my coworker who smoked at least a half a pack to a pack a day finally was able to quit using Chantix. I think it has some side effects but that's standard with pretty much an prescription drug.