Question:
I just learned today that I have to quit smoking and don't know if I want to.
I want to lose this extra weight really bad, but my cigarette is my company and relaxes me. What can I do? — carolgirl52 (posted on April 26, 2010)
April 26, 2010
I was so bummed when I found this out. Then I figured I had to do it. I was
told to pick a date so I picked one about 2 months out. The whole time I
kept saying I did NOT want to quit- I had smoked for 41 years. I bought
patches and carried them around with me. The date came and went. One day I
had run out of smokes and it was pouring rain. I did not want to go out for
them. I put the patch on and said, OK, I'll do it as long as I feel like
and when I have to smoke, I'll just go get some. I made it through the day
and then the next day was manageable too so I kept going. That was 11
months ago. I can't believe it. I can breathe and it's getting even better
as I lose the weight.
This is about turning our lives around and feeling better. The benefits are
far outweighing the sacrifices.
— Cathy S.
April 26, 2010
I have been able to quit with Nicorette...problem is I still chew it after
a yr, but hey, it's working for me.
— Jane W.
April 26, 2010
I stop smoking wen I found out my date for surgery, The First Day was kind
of had but I readjusted my thoughts wen I felt as though I wanted to smoke
and trusted GOD to help me STOP and I have been FINE since, I hAVE NOT
SMOKED FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW...
— Tamc27
April 26, 2010
I smoked for 22 years and was told I had to quit in order to have the RNY.
I was able to do it using chantix.(prescription). It worked great for me.
I quit in January and had my surgery last week.
— boneswag
April 26, 2010
Oh honey I understand this one... I smoked for more then 30 years, I have
asthma and COPD and still would not quit... found out I would have to for
the surgery and that is more important to me then anything.... I smoked my
last cig on Feb 7th 2010....in the past I tried everything, but this time I
have remained smoke free... there was a secret that worked for me, I read
that the craving for nicatine only lasts 3 min... and they were right, when
I would start craving a cig I would look at my watch and take a deep breath
and then then force myself to think of something else, like walking and
breathing at the same time, one of my reasons for the surgery is I want to
photograph landscapes which requires hiking all manner of terrains, so I
would imagine myself doing just that... before I knew it the craving had
passedd...for the emotional reasons for smoking, I journaled... believe it
or not I was able to quit smoking and still loose 3 pounds. instead of
reaching for a cig or food when I would get upset, I wrote about it...now I
rarely even think about it...
— debra mcdonald
April 26, 2010
My Dr. told me if you smoke and do not quit having the gastric surgery you
can get an ulcer.
— FSUMom
April 26, 2010
I smoked for years before I quit. There are many aides out there that can
help. I really believe the addiction is more habit than anything. That
first cigarette in the morning, after we eat... But the health benefits
simply cannot be overstated. You cannot even imagine how much better you
will feel. Watching my father struggle and eventually die from lung cancer
simply underscored for me it was the best decision I ever made. This
surgery is about getting healthy; look at quitting as an integral part of
the journey.
— dasie
April 26, 2010
Maria, I smoked for 10 years from college until just before my wedding. My
wife-to-be, as a non-smoker with asthma, put her foot down! What struck me
about your message was that I, too, really liked smoking. For me (maybe
it's a guy thing) I liked playing with matches & making the smoke... I
liked having the cig with coffee... I liked having it with beer... I liked
how it made losing weight easier. Cigs were my friend, and I bonded with
other smokers while we shared a puff. I really really liked the rituals
involved. I wouldn't have stopped except for something more important to
me... my honey. So... my point is, it all comes down to priorities. Yes,
there are reasons to smoke, perhaps even good reasons. You just have to
really really soul search and decide if those reasons are really more dear
to you than being successful at weight loss surgery. In fact, I recommend
not going through with surgery unless you can commit to following your
doc's orders to the letter. This is a major lifestyle change, supported by
surgery. The surgery itself is actually only a part of this big big change
in your life. The surgery will help you make changes that you may have not
been able to make before (I know I wasn't) but you still have to make
changes. Why not start now with quitting smoking? You know, for sure, that
smoking will shorten your life and may cause you great pain and suffering
before you go... not to mention the effect on loved ones... not to mention
the cost. So many good reasons to quit, even before you consider your plan
to successfully undergo weight loss surgery. I'm only eleven weeks out, but
I feel fantastic. Combined with pre-surgery loss, I've lost almost 100
pounds and I can walk and breathe so much better! I feel so much more
energy and vitality already, and I will probably lose another 90 pounds
before I'm through! Just imagine how much better you'll feel, not to
mention how great you'll look. It really is worth it, but it really is
work. The most rewarding work you'll ever do, I promise... but it's work. I
know you can do it!!
— Greg K.
April 26, 2010
You have a tough decision to make, but, it is your decision. I've learned
over the years that everything we do is a CHOICE, even if it is complicated
by addiction. Some CHOICES are just more difficult to make than others.
Give yourself credit for being srong enough to make the right CHOICES for
yourself and your health. God bless you.
— Kathy T.
April 27, 2010
I hear ya... I know what you are going through.
Fortunately, I had quit 4 years before surgery BUT, my surgeon would not do
surgery if you were smoking. He tested you if he even questioned it.
I am not ever going to be one of those "born again smokers", but
I will tell you it was the hardest thing I have ever done but one of the
best.
The best thing I ever did was to have WLS surgery but quitting smoking was
the next best!
Best of luck and hang in there!!!
— emilyherod
April 27, 2010
I smoked for 20+ years and had to quit also. I used Chantix and it really
made it easy. With the Chantix you don't gain weight either. It was very
easy. I have not had a cigarette since January. There are a few times that
I was really stressed out and thought about having a cigarette. I talked to
my doctor and she gave me a prescription for valium and if I get stressed
out, I take a valium and it works much better for stress. Good Luck...
— dowens67
April 27, 2010
find something else to keep your hands and mind busy.
— [Deactivated Member]
April 27, 2010
I learned 9 weeks ago that I wouldn't even be given a surgical date until I
had quit for 3 months. The minute I found out, I said 'that's it', stopped
and haven't looked back. I have my next appointment with the team on May
20th, just at 3 months and I have to have a nicotene test. So, that's my
reality and my priority. I was really angry to hear that I couldn't have
the surgery yet, not that I had to quit. I had a time line plan and it's
all been blown, but I am doing what I have to do for me and my health and
that's what's important. You just need to decide what your priority is.
— 4catz
April 27, 2010
You love killing yourself? You have a horrible addiction which supposedly
relaxes yourself? You know that smoking can and does make many, many
people very ill, shortens their life, causes holes in their clothes, stinks
to high-heaven, gives cancer, lung disease, etc., and you call it your
company? Do you really think that little of yourself? Of course, go ahead
and keep smoking. It is your friend. Be sure to call on your friend to
give you life when you are like my dearest friend who smoked much less than
I did, and she has to lug around an oxygen machine because her lungs are so
badly damaged. She has such difficulty breathing. And, her lungs are so
badly damaged she sits at home alone day after day after day after day,
doing .... crocheting booties for premature infants, and can't even go for
a walk without her tanks. She stays up half the nights reading and gets up
around noon each day. She tries to stay positive; but, if the company she
kept is anything like the company you are keeping, don't you think she
laments the company she kept. Ask yourself what type of a friend or
company you keep which could cause you such life-shortening grief. Yeah,
your cigarette is your company relaxes you: it could and probably will
relax you to your death. Thank your life that you have a doctor who has
simply told you, you must stop. I was a smoker, smoking 14 years each time
I started with a singular cigarette. I quit 3 times. I almost got what my
friend has. I haven't smoked for 10 years and my lungs are now in fine
shape. You can do it. You simply have to believe in the greatest friend
you have: you, yourself. Be a true friend to you, yourself, and ... quit.
— Christine Gibson
April 27, 2010
If you have to ask anyone if you have to quit smoking to have the surgery,
than you are not in any way ready to have it. Seems to me that you would
rather have your cigarettes than lead a healthy, happy, slimmer life. I
suggest you do some serious thinking of what is more important. This is
only advice and that to me I would rather have the surgery & quit
smoking. There are other things to help relax. Maybe a hobby or crafts?
Good luck and I hope you make the right choice that is best for you. Keep
your friends here posted.
— SPIRIT2002
April 28, 2010
Thank you every single person who answered my cry. I do want good health
more than a cigarette so I am going to quit.
— carolgirl52
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