Help!!! Im new to this with questions!

Hello! I am scheduled to have surgery in a little over a month. I need help to quit smoking. What did you do to quit? Did you quit for good or start again? Or did you even quit for surgery? I am working on quitting but it is SOO hard! I just thought i would see what everyone else did! Thanks! - Laura

QUIT NOW - it will make your surgery safer!! Smoking greatly hinders healing. It is my understanding that it can cause leakage, ulcers, and other problems for gastric patients.  Most doctors will not operate until you have stopped for at least 1 month. It's just another lifestyle change dictated by the surgery that will make your life better. Good luck.

A friend of mine is a surgeon, he suggested anyone thats attempting to quit smokig should try and take as many baths with epson salt. It seems the epson salt draws the nicotine out of the body thru the skin. This makes the withdrawals less sever. Best of luck. Bob

Laura, I have one word for you - CHANTIX. Get your  doc to prescribe. It is great! I used it to quit. Now, the only side affect is that you have extremely colorful , vivid dreams. Not nightmares, your dreams are just very realistic. It is very interesting how this med works. You should look it up and read about it before making a decision about it of course. I and several people I know have successfully quit with this medication. You do need to quit regardless of surgery etc but especially for surgery. Good luck and let me know how you do! Dot

Sorry I have no advice for quiting I have never smoked. Just want to Welcome you to the board and wish you all the best on your journey.

My husband is using Chantix right now.  Get it and use it!  I smoked for 22 years and if I can quit...anyone can!

Good luck, Laura!

Freddie

Thanks for all your help and encouragment! I have a Rx for Chantix and am picking it up today! I didn't know about the epson salt so i will try it as well! Thanks again!!

Laura, I quit Oct 13,2003 never pick it up again, I had tried several times. I kept trying til it worked. I just decided that I wasn't gonna bet myself up when I felled. And on that day I put them down and if finally worked. Just  one step at a time cold turkey. I don't miss it at all. There is to much of life that I've got ahead of me. You just gotta take that first step. I needed to add  a couple things, when you have surgery, you heal faster , If you are smoking, you don't. It takes double the time to heal. That is what really scared me, I was fix'n to have some surgery and I knew that I needed to heal fast, as possible..... Hugs Barb