The next step to healthy...smoking cessation

Love this post you can do this! Just like WLS it won't be easy, but it will be worth it.

You can do this. My husband used Chantix with great success and went from a 2 pack a day fellow to nothing. He did have to stay on the Chantix for 2 months. The first time he just used it for one month the first try but his mind wasn't ready, so when he did it the second time, he went for 2 months. Since our insurance did not pay, he really was committed, so that helped, too.

I am perhaps more stubborn and quite about 20 years ago cold turkey from a 2 pack a day habit. I got fat, but I quit smoking and I've never looked back from that. Now I'm not fat and still don't crave cigarettes.

That's great!  You can do this!

YAY!  You can totally do this!  I quit six months before RNY since I didn't want complications with surgery.  I used Chantix and it worked great.  Some people have crazy dreams, but I didn't have that.  Even if you have some mood swings, it's worth it to plug away at it and quit - now as a lighter, fitter, healthier me, I can't even imagine smoking (and I looooooved smoking, and smoked from 16 to 36!).  Very proud of you and you've got this!

I've smoke since I was 13....I'm now 33....so yeah, we have some of the same stats!  I sure hope the Chantix works, but if it doesn't, the Pharmacist told me to quit it, call her, and she will get me on the Wellbutrin...which also helps with the eating and any depression I may be experiencing due to the cravings!!!

Hi Kandace!

I had so many mixed feelings when my surgeon said I had to be nicotine free for 6 months before he would operate on me, and that after surgery I would be at high risk for ulcers should I continue smoking. At that time I was smoking about 5 cigs a day. Right around that time I was prescribed Wellbutrin for my anxiety, which I was not aware is also used for smoking cessation. I was down to one cig a day within a month without even trying. The cravings just weren't there like they used to be. Now the only time I struggle is when I am drinking alcohol, which I am trying to stay away from because it is such a trigger for me. 

I don't know how much you smoke compared to how much I did, but Wellbutrin has many purposes and I highly recommend it. My husband on the other hand, took Chantix and was successful with that as well. If you have a history of depression, you are at a higher risk of  having the "crazy dreams" or some of the other unpleasant side effects like depression or thoughts of suicide. Just be mindful and if something feels off, don't wait to contact your doctor. 

Good luck!! It won't be easy, but you already know that. And you know that it will be so worth it in the end! 

I have my script for Chantix filled and ready to start on February 1!  We can lean on each other because this is going to suck but will be totally worth it. I keep thinking "But...I quit food!  Now I have to quit this too?" but that is just the whiner in me. I know this will be a huge benefit to my health and my heart really needs me to quit. Let's do this thing!!

~E

You know what is funny about that?  When I quit smoking, my logic was: you can't be obese and smoke -- so you've got to quit one.  LOL.  There was NO way I was giving up food ... so... 

HAHAHAHA.

Good luck quitting.  It's hard but I swear, it's so worth it.

Let's do it!  So glad to have someone who is in the same boat as I am, to have someone who is willing to maybe listen to me whine about how hard it is!

I always used to say that if I quit smoking, I would just gain more weight, and I didn't want to do that.  At Christmas, my father said something to me about quitting smoking, and I gave him the same excuse....as a joke, because I was nearly a month post-op and shedding weight like a hippie getting a crew cut!!!  He did not laugh, but my sister, who had RNY years ago thought it was hilarious!!!!

We can do this!!!!

I am all ears for all the ranting and complaining! Wheee!