Just wondering?

I was just wondering something, How many of us quit smoking before surgery and stayed a non-smoker, and reached a normal bmi? I quit 3 months before my surgery, I gained 30 pounds. I have not been able to reach a normal bmi, i am about 25 pounds away, and seem to stay here no matter what I do. so... if you were a smoker who quit, did you stay quit and reach a normal bmi? just wondering. Michele

Michele, I was a 2 pack a day smoker for about 30 years. Quit about 4 years ago but In the last year, I have an "occasional" cigarette or two. About every few months if I hit a busy production when I'm around smokers all day. I did reach Normal BMI and I've stayed below goal for over a year and a half. I eat much more, but the types of foods I'm in the habit of eating now are lower cal and higher nutrition. I started at a BMI or 51 and now I'm at 23.7 . I've been below BMI of24 for over 2 years. Best wishes- Dx

Hey Dx, You have had a remarkable journey! I was just noticing the other day that everytime I get stressed that I think about smoking, but grab a snack instead. I was just thinking that maybe it was the reason I have never lost all that I felt I should have. I know deep down that there are many things that have contributed to my predicament, I just keep trying to find an easy fix. But I know I can't smoke again, it's just way too hard to stop. Thanks for your reply, Michele

Hi MIchele, I quit smoking about 3 months before my surgery Jan., 2004. I was doing fine until I slipped and fell at work and fractured my shoulder. I was off a whole year. This past March for some dumb reason I tried just "one" and am now back up to my old pack a day habit. I plan on quitting next Wed. when I leave on vacation and will have friends and family around that are non-smokers. Back to the BMI. I weighed 279 at time of surgery and am 5'2". I now fluctuate between 125 and 130. I've not gotten into the BMI that much as I use my clothes to judge when I'm overdoing it with the "carbs". I'm nervous about not smoking as I'm pretty sure that it has curbed my appetite, or maybe just diverted me from eating. I'm expecting to put on 5-10 lbs but as I can't afford a new wardrobe, I'm praying that tight clothes will help me not stuff too much in my mouth. I know I'm rambling but if I were you I wouldn't try the smoking route. It's so darn hard to quit again!!! I'm praying this will be my last "quit"! Terry

Terry, thanks for your reply. I will not smoke, as it is way too hard for me to quit. I originally started smoking as I thought it would help me loose weight. 21 years later and 60 pounds heavier I finally quit for good. That's what keeps me off them now, All I thought about when I smoked was trying to quit, gaining 20-30 pounds everytime I would try. Good luck , You can do it!!! Michele