Question:
Anyone having a hard time quiting?
I have smoked for 15 years and my doctor says that you have to be quit for 3 months before your surgery, if all goes well I should be having wls around march/april. What am I going to do, I have a panic attack if my pack get low, so how can I quit???? Anyone have any ideas? — Tammy S. (posted on October 31, 2003)
October 30, 2003
I quit several years prior to surgery after smoking for 15 years. It was
the hardest thing I have ever done. I used the patch, dug my heeals in, and
refused to smoke no matter how miserable it was. I just kept telling myself
that people quit smoking every day and stay quit. I was a pack and half a
day smoker as well. I had prepared myself ahead and had no illusions about
this being easy. I never would have though I could quit. I am sometimes
still amazed I did it. The money we save now pays one car payment a month.
Good luck!!!!!
— [Deactivated Member]
October 30, 2003
Don't take non-smoking advice from me, I've quite countless times only to
take it back up. But I will say this. My husband and I quit one time
based solely on the money. Here is why. We had never figured a budget
before, never really needed to. We found ourselves in a situation where we
needed to actually sit down and figure where our money was going. We spent
roughly 300 dollars per month on cigarettes combined. When we saw that I
said, hey do you remember our first apartment? Rent was 265 per month and
we were terrified if we could make the payment. (I know, it was YEARS ago)
Anyhow we were just astounded that what we were spending on rent before,
was just 'casual' money now. It was ALOT of money. Like the previous
poster said, it's a car payment. Bribe yourself. IF you can stay quit for
6 months---you get a new car for free!!! How is that for incentive?
— RebeccaP
October 30, 2003
Get some gum, try the patch, drink a lot of water! Remember-it takes 21
days to break a habbit! I do know how you feel, though, I couldn't go to
bed at night if I didn't have enough cigarettes available to start the next
day! Good luck, you will feel better for it and it will make the healing
process go a lot quicker. Oh, and remember WHY you are doing it, that
might help!
— Pambylah
October 30, 2003
I also had to quit (ten year smoker)and I got prescription suckers. I
know, it sounded dumb to me when I heard it. But, they really,really
helped. I quit cold turkey because I had read that cutting back only
makes you prolong withdrawl. It only takes 7 days for the physical need to
go away, I still have not gotten over the mental part. I still look for
them when I get up to leave somewhere, my hand feel empty. After day three
it does get easier. I found that I sleep much better at night, feel better
and have more energy. YOU CAN DO IT!!!
there are lots of websites that help.
— tia S.
October 30, 2003
I had to quit myself. I quit six months before surgery and I still woke up
on the ventilator. I knew this would be a possibility due to the smoking.
Quit as soon as you can because you do not want anything to hinder your
healing process and smoking does that. I know it is hard as hell but i
promise it will be easier on you in the long run. :0)
— Egyptianeyesdiva
October 31, 2003
I smoked my last cigarette the night before surgery (July 15, 2003 -66lbs.)
After my surgery I could not even smell it(it made me sick) so my husband
had to go outside to smoke for the 1st 5-6 weeks. I have not started back
up yet and hope I don't. Don't sweat the small stuff. Just concentrate on
cutting down for now. The decision to have WLS is big enough without
having to worry about other habits right now. Give yourself a break and
quiting after surgery will probably be easier than you think. Take care!
— laurab
October 31, 2003
Tammy - I was a 10-yr smoker and, while I quit years before my surgery, I
still wanted to share my experience with you. If you want to quit, then
decide to quit. Don't decide to TRY to quit - addiction to nicotine is TOO
strong. Quitting cold turkey is the best because of this - yes, I too
believe that 'cutting down' means continuing - it doesn't mean that
eventually you will quit. Most people just keep on smoking. I planned my
last day of smoking very carefully, right down to the last cigarette of the
day. I made quite a big deal out of it because it was a big deal.
Intellectually you know you had to quit some day anyway, right???? Take
this is as just one more wonderful opportunity that this surgery is giving
to you. You are going to go through so much, both good and bad, to get to
a better and healthier you. Why would you want to keep on smoking? Choose a
healthier lifestyle, we all need to remember to choose the best things for
ourselves. Best of luck to you.
— Jodie P.
October 31, 2003
Several of the Surgeons that have spoke at my Support Groups have stated
that they refuse to opperate on smokers. They said that smoking has been
known to cause difficulties for a healing patient. That a smoker is more
prone to complications. Also and this makes sense. If you can't quit
smoking in order to have the surgery, how are you going to make the
commitment to the life changes that WLS requires?
— [Deactivated Member]
October 31, 2003
Perhaps you can find a meeting of Smokers Anonymous in your area. This
group is sure to help you with a smokeless strategy. Check them out online.
— Mariee H.
October 31, 2003
Hi Tammy, thought I would throw in my "quitting story" as
well...maybe something in it will resonate with you... I had smoked for 21
years...everyday...and of course, I had tried a few times to quit, I
mean... really, how stupid is it for us to smoke...lol... but I always
started back.. until this one magical day....as I started to light my first
cig of the morning, I felt these tiny eyes looking at me.....my heart sank
as I noticed my 3 year old grandson standing there, about to witness my
self defeating habit...and I thought to myself..."SELF"...maybe
you don't care about yourself enough to quit...but at least care enough
about your family!!.....That was it Tammy. I put that very cig down and
never looked back. Never had one craving, not one withdrawl, not one
regret...why?? Because I found something way more important to me than
smoking....and that was knowing that I would be around for that little guy
if he ever needed me!! Find something that is HUGE for you Tammy....
something that is so important it will take the place of smoking in your
life...and then just put that pack down and walk away!! You owe it to
yourself...YOU, are that important!!!! Love and hugs, Lisa.
— medium
October 31, 2003
Tammy, I know that you have heard it all, but try this. If your right
handed, smoke left handed. Dont use a lighter any more, use matches. And
most important set a date that will be your last day. Then QUIT. I started
smoking at 12, I am now 41 I quit at 39. Everyone in my family smoked. All
of us kids started quiting when our dad had a massive heart attach, he quit
3 days before cause he knew something wasn't right. He has now had two
massive heart attaches and open heart surgery for a triple by-pass. Thats
not were the story ends though. My mom who hasn't quit, she has cut back
from three packs to one. On October 29th she was diagnosed with CANCER and
given anywhere from 6 to 18 months, she is only 64. If that isn't a reason
to quit that there isn't one. Why go through the surgery if we are not
making the choice to live!!!!!! For your SELF and those who love you make
the choice to LIVE.
— dimccoy
October 31, 2003
My surgeon also said he wouldn't do surgery on a smoker so I had to quit.
I contacted my insurance company because I had heard that they have a
smoking cessation program. I got an 8 week prescription for Zyban for
free! All I had to do was keep 3 telephone appointments with a smoking
cessation counselor. To be honest, I didn't have much faith in the Zyban
because I had been a smoker for 23 years and really was not
"wanting" to quit, but I felt like in order for me to have
surgery I didn't have a choice. I am happy to say that October 5, 2003 was
my first full day as a non-smoker! Maybe you should talk to your doctor
about getting something to help you quit?? just a thought....Good luck! I
KNOW it's not easy!
Christal
— huggygrrl
October 31, 2003
I have smoked for 31 years and when I was told I had to quit I freaked out.
Then I realized, if I want this surgery bad enough I WILL quit. And it was
just that easy. I put them down on Sept. 11. I have not had or even wanted
one since and my surgery is Nov 10. If you want it bad enough, you CAN
quit. Every time you think about lighting up stop and ask yourself, IS IT
REALLY WORTH IT???????????
— CAMFR
November 1, 2003
I smoked for about 10 years. When I had my psych eval, the shrink made it
one of the conditions for my clearance. I had 1 cigarette left when I went
to see her. When I got out, that was the last one I had. I haven't had a
cigarette since Aug 25th! yippie for me!
It WAS one of the hardest things I had to do. The first week was rough,
but after that, I just kept telling myself, theres a reason youre doing
this, all of this, keep it up. And I did. If you put your mind to it,
anythign can be done! Take baby steps, but I know you can do it!
Good luck
— Jen W.
November 1, 2003
All I have to say is that a freind of mine had his surgery last monday and
woke up still connected to a ventilator and is still in the hospital until
at least monday with pneumonia. All because of smoking! He did his best to
quit a month before and smoked a couple of cigarettes a few days before
surgery when he got nervous, but it wasn't good enough! Do whatever it
takes to quit, it could have been worse some people don't make it at all!
I know it is very tough but start now, I have confidence that you will make
it!
GOOD LUCK!
— Saxbyd
November 1, 2003
My doctor didnt require me to quit (just said i couldnt smoke in the
hospital) believe you me when you have this surgery (open at least) smoking
is the Last thing on your mind. BUT I kinda wished he had required it
because now my plastic surgeon definately requires it. Now I am extremely
terrified of gaining but cant keep from sticking ANYTHING in my mouth to
keep from smoking. One thing that may encourage you is that worrying about
quitting was so much worse than the quit itself. Im on day 5. I am taking
welbutrin and doing the 7 day Smoke away (herbal medication) Ive smoked 2
packs aday for 25 years and I could not wrap my brain around even trying to
quit because the fear was so great. (Im not quite sure what the fear was
of. Failure, pain I dont know) Try quitsmokingonline.com and whyquit.com
and quitnet.com they all helped me tremendously. good luck to you and email
me anytime if you need a shoulder. Marilayne
— Marilayne M.
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