Question:
stop smoking

PLEASE I NEED YOUR HELP. I'VE BEEN A SMOKER FOR 15 YEARS. AND FIND IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP. I'VE BEEN TOLD BY MY DR. THAT I HAVE TO BE AT LEAST 8 WEEKS SMOKE FREE BEFORE THE SURGERY COULD BE PERFORMED . I DIDN'T WANT TO TRY THE PATCHES BECAUSE I FELT THAT THEY WOULD LEAVE TRACES OF NICOTENE IN MY SYSTEM. I NEED SOMETHING BEFORE I LOSE MY MIND. I HAVE BEEN APPROVED, BUT CAN'T SEEM TO STOP. MY NERVES ARE ON EDGE. PLEASE,PLEASE HELP. CATHY GRAY in Baltimore,Md [email protected]    — catian12 (posted on January 11, 2003)


January 11, 2003
Cathy, Take my word for it... you really do need to stop smoking before surgery. I didn't and it was very hard on me after surgery. I was on 3 litres of oxygen the entire time I was in the hospital, plus breathing treatments every 8 hours while I was there. I have not had a cigarette since the morning I had my surgery. You just don't realize what a scarey feeling it is when you cannot breath! I was a smoker for over 25 years. I have been smoke free since December 17,2002. If I can do it... so can you. Sheryl lap rny 12/17/02 242/216/145
   — Sheryl W.

January 11, 2003
Have you considered trying Wellbutrin or Zyban?? (two day non-smoker here)
   — Margaret K.

January 11, 2003
Oh Cathy, I know EXACTLY where you're coming from!! I, too, was a smoker for 15 years. I'm (as of today) 3 and a half weeks smoke-free because my surgeon told me he wouldn't touch me if I had nicotine in my system. I did it cold turkey. The first three days were pure hell. It was one of the hardest times in my life, but I got through them. And it DOES get a teeny bit less difficult each day. You might want to consider a patch or prescription. But I urge you to do whatever it takes to kick the habit if this surgery is what you want. Why bother with the surgery if you're going to kill yourself smoking? Hang in there. You can do it! *big non-smoky hugs*!!
   — Dragon G.

January 11, 2003
I have not had surgery yet, but my surgeon also required 8 weeks smoke free. I quit on November 4th with the help of patches and a smoking cessasion class. The patches really work. I think the doctor want to make sure all the carbon monoxide is out of your lungs and blood stream, so the nicotine may not be the issue. Ask his nurse. I smoked for 15 years also and I only needed the patches for about 3 weeks. Keep trying. The smoking cessation class also helped alot. Call you local hospital they may offer a class. Try hypnosis, counseling, anything. WLS was/is a great motivator for me. Good Luck. I know it is VERY hard. Have faith in yourself. You can do it!!
   — Jan S.

January 11, 2003
Yes, I can relate as well. My surgeon wouldn't touch me until I quit. I used Wellbutrin and the nictrol inhaler. The inhaler I used for about 15 days (it was a hand thing for me) and the wellbutrin problably about 30-45 days. I had my consult with surgeon on May 24th and quit on May 25th at 5:15am last cig. I didn't have surgery till Sept 3. Everytime I wanted a smoke I would go for a walk around the block. My DH also smokes and still does, here recently I have had terrible cravings but I just smell his and go on with it. Oh yeah, I also went to a smoking sessation class. Best of luck.
   — Jeana S.

January 11, 2003
I smoked 2-3 packs a day for 30 years, I quit August 15, 2002 so I could have WLS using the patches and a mild tranquilizer. If the motivation is right, you can do anything....I was sure I was going to my grave with a cigarette still in my mouth. Linda, OPEN RNY 10/21/02 -57
   — Linda 1.

January 11, 2003
Cathy I too, was a smoker for over 20 yrs. I quit May 6, 2002 when I made the decision to get a referral for this surgery. I had my surgery on 12-11-02. I am also very glad I did it that far before surgery. I still had some issues in the hospital with breathing, and was on oxygen for a week at home as well after discharge. I can only imagine how bad it would have been if I had still been smoking. I tried wellbuterin, which didn't work for me, so I did the patches. I only had to use them for a week though, and I was fine. I guess motivation is the key, and find a tool to help you also, so you will succeed!!! Good luck hon, and believe in your own strength!!...Teresa
   — teresa H.

January 11, 2003
Well there are alot of us out here trying to quit smoking aren't there!! I feel your pain honey. My surgeon won't do the surgery if I don't quit. Thank God for him. This is the best motivation I have ever had to quit. I have been trying since Dec. 29th with very little success until this week. I started using patches Sunday night at bedtime and I have only smoked 2 cigarettes a day since then. With the patch off of course!!! It is very dangerous to smoke with the patch. Now it is time to give up those 2 a day I am having. I am also taking a mild tranquilizer. It has been very hard, but if I am going to have surgery to lose weight and be healthier, then I am not going to continue to kill myself with cigarettes!!! I also found a website (sorry I can't remember the name, but just put in something about stop smoking tapes)and I bought a smoking cessation tape for $11.95. It has also helped some. You have to committ to not smoking while you are listening to the tape, so I use it in my car and it really helps with the car issue. I am 41 and have smoked for 26 years, this is a real blessing!!! Good luck, YOU CAN DO IT!!!
   — S W.

January 11, 2003
Cathy :o) If I can do it, anyone can. I really do believe that because I was a smoker that very much enjoyed cigarettes. About ten years I stopped for a couple of weeks only to start back. This time(the LAST time), I have been smoke free for over two months and I feel awesome! I used the NicodermCQ patch for the first 5 weeks, along with Wellbutrin(150mg/2xday). YOU CAN DO IT CATHY!!! and you will be amazed at ho wmuch better you will feel so soon :o)
   — meltedbuttr

January 11, 2003
You can do it!!!...I too smoked for over 20 yrs and ended up getting put on Zyban and what a help that was...within 3 days i had quit....good luck!!!!
   — Kathy C.

January 11, 2003
I quit smoking last July with the help of Wellbutrin - also sold as Zyban. I did this to prepare for surgery which will be February 3, 2003. The medicine is an antidepressant sold specifically as Zyban for quitting smoking. If you have your Doctor prescribe it as Wellbutrin insurance will pay for it. My point is... that it truly does decrease the cravings. I took it as prescribed three weeks before my quit date (because it builds up in your system and takes a while to be effective) and then quit taking it three months post the quit. I also utilized the patch during the first days of quitting. In my case... I only used the patch for eight days as I developed quit a rash and irritation from the patch. I then switched to using nicotine gum instead. Worked great for me as long as I paid attention to my cravings and popped the gum in when I needed it. I also journaled to track my emotional issues and attempt to calm down in the anxiety of quitting. If you prepare yourself for a quit... and in this case for both of us... a "higher goal" (weight loss) you will have more success... plan ahead... mind over matter.
   — Kathy T.

January 14, 2003
you have to be ready!!! If you feel you are not ready, think about the fact that not only will smoking help you to become healthier, but if you need to quit to have the surgery than quitting will make you thinner (if you are like me that is 100+ pounds of motivation). I quit about 7 months ago using Wellbutrin and by weaning myself of my habit smokes like when I woke up, after eating, while driving etc. I say that you need to 1)be emotionally ready to quit 2) you need to get all cigarettes out of the house to prevent the ease of acting on a craving and you need to have a supportive person (spouse/family member there all day to keep you busy and motivated) and 3) remember that the first day is the hardest, if you can get past it you can get past anyday because you don't want to have to go through the hardship of day one again. After the first week your breathing and you wallet alone will thank you. Also I used Twister licorice in place of cigarrettes and my mom who also quit used gum. I am 7 months smoke free and honestly I occassionally miss it, but when I think about the fact that I would not be able to have WLS and I would be more broke than I am and I would have bad lungs, I am don't miss cigarettes at all! Email me at [email protected] if you want some quitting support!! I wish you the best of luck
   — mdjacobs




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