Question:
Emotions of a pre-op/trying to quit smoking
I want this surgery so bad. It's all I think of 24/7. I visit AMOS everyday. I feel so anxious, angry, down in the dumps. Me and my husband haven't had "relations" for 9 months. I want him to "want" me, and I want to live not just exist. I am scared I will die if I don't do the surgery for my health. I want to be the mom my kids need and deserve. I yell at them alot and I am so moody. Do I sound normal? I have also tried to stop smoking and I need advice to help me quit. IT IS SO HARD!! I stopped twice before, only because I was pregnant with my two kids. I just want to a "normal" sized person that gets treated the way other "normal" people get treated with repect for once. I am trapped in this body, and I am just dying to get out and living my life.. Do I sound nuts?? (343#, 5' 11") — Jennifer C. (posted on December 31, 2000)
December 31, 2000
It sounds to me like you are suffering from depression.....
I have been on antidepressants for many years, and I am finally on the one
that helps me feel human. But, before I arrived here, the trail was long
and lonely. I was trapped inside my own HEAD, not just my body.
I have started the process toward WLS--talked with my PCP and he is 100%
behind me. So is my husband. Is your husband aware of how badly you want
this surgery? Is he supportive?
I think it would do you a world of good to speak with a counselor and get
some perspective, and THEN make your decision about WLS. You have to be
emotionally ready for this huge step in life, and hon, it seems to me that
you need to take care of your emotions first, then on to the next step.
The surgery will happen, someday. The option is always there. Try not to be
too hard on yourself. Quitting smoking is a challenge in itself. Do that
first. Concentrate on that one thing. Then, the rest will fall into place.
Hugs, and take care of YOU.
— jane W.
December 31, 2000
Jennifer, Please I beg of you..QUIT SMOKING. I just had Lap
RNY on 12/18 and I didn't stop smoking till 48 hrs. before surgery. I paid
the price for not quiting. I found out after surgery the drs. pulled me off
the respirator and my lungs did not work. I was in ICU for two days on the
respirator with a tube in my throat. HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE.
I hate to be so detailed but I really want to encourage you to quit. When
your lungs collect the crap..muscus in them the nurses open the tube in
your throat and bring a suction
wand down your throat to suck it all out. You actually feel like your
suffocating. I'm doing great now. But I will NEVER forget the experience.
PLEASE QUIT. Please feel free to email me at [email protected] if you need
any reinforcement. Good luck you can do it.
— Laurie P.
December 31, 2000
Your not nuts. Your normal! I am 5 days without cigarettes after smoking
for the last 17 years. You can do it. It is the hardest thing I think
I've ever done. The surgery is a great motivator. I couldn't even quit my
last 2 preg. That's bad. It has taken me about 6 weeks of smoking my
husbands cigs before I finally got serious and gave them up. It took an
entire day away from him to do it though. Believe me I've tried about
everything to quit. My doctor is helping me though. I am taking 150 mg of
Wellbutrin SR 2 x's daily and also using the Nicotrol inhaler. I don't
really need it but I find having something in my mouth that represents a
smoke helps enormously. Sounds like you might be depressed too though.
The wellbutrin is actually an anti depressent and is helping me bunches in
that respect too. Just know you are not alone. I feel your pain as do
many others. Keep the faith.
— Sherri T.
December 31, 2000
As you can see, you are definitely not alone! I quit smoking about one
month before my surgery. DEFINITELY a good idea. I still ended up having to
have nebulizer treatments every 3 hours in the hospital after surgery
because I was wheezing so much, but at least I came off the ventilator in
recovery. In fact, I don't even remember the vent at all. Also, the
anesthesiologist told me if I was coughing up anything they would postpone
my surgery. Finally, smoking makes you heal a lot slower because of the
effect it has on your blood vessels. I did not want to do anything that
would hinder the healing process, so I knew I had to quit. I am one of the
fortunate ones. Zyban (Wellbutrin) worked wonders for me. I also had a
nicotine inhaler, but I think I only used it a total of four times. My
insurance wouldn't pay for it under Zyban or Wellbutrin, but I was lucky
because a doctor at the student health service where I attend school had
PLENTY of samples. He kept me supplied with it until I didn't need it
anymore. I guess I'm trying to say PLEASE talk to your doctor about needing
to quit. Usually, they can find something that will help you quit. You will
feel tremendously better. Please feel free to email me if you need
encouragement. Hang in there, and good luck! You CAN do it! Maria
— Maria H.
December 31, 2000
Jennifer you are not alone. Also Happy be-lated birthday. I can
understand how you feel. I am 39, 345 lbs, and I have smoked for 22-23
years>>>yuk, anyways back in Sept when I got all my test results
from my PCP, (I had a complete physical because my body wasnt feeling good,
never thought for one moment it was my weight) and I have Sleep apnea,
Servre Heart burn (acid reflex) high coloristrol, servre pain in hips,
knee, feet, ankles. And my mood swings were higher than highs and lower
than lows. I thought I was going the change of life. Talk about an
attitude with partner,and step-daughter woow. I couldnt handle it anymore.
Lucky my PCP put me on Wellbutrin in June and since I had been doing alot
reaserch of WLS and saw that the Surgion (Dr. Anez) will not do surgury on
anyone that has NOT STOPPED SMOKING IN WITHIN 30 DAYS. WOW I made up my
mind I wanted this surgery more than anything, because I want to
LIVE>>>>>>So I also went on the patch NICODERM 1,2,3
STEP. on Oct 10, and as of today JAN 1,2001 I am smoke free. Thank you
god. It has not been really hard since I was on medication and the patch,
But some days was a dog quitely to put it. My surgery is Jan 15, and I
want to do whatever to help my recovery.
Since you are still research and dont have a date, you have nothing to lose
check with your PCP about some medications it is well worth it. Never give
up on your dreams.
May GOD bless you . LOL>>>>>Jay Biller
— jay B.
January 1, 2001
Hi there i can surely relate to what you are feeling. I have been smoking
since i was 16. I quit when i was pregnant in 1993 and was smoke free for 6
years. But in 1999 i started smoking again due to stress at work. I need to
quit smoking ASAP. I don't have a surgery date yet but i am going to finish
ths pack i have (5 cigarettes) then that's it. I know it will be hard and i
will more than likely gain weight but i have to do this for myself. If you
need a friend and support buddy feel free to e-mail me anytime. We can do
this together. Safety in numbers ight? LOL Good luck hun.....
— Patti K.
January 1, 2001
Hi Jennifer, Quitting smoking is one of the hards thing I have
done and I have quit hundreds of times LOL. This last time I stopped
8-1-00 in prepration for my WLS, which was suppost to be 9-1-00.
I used the nicoderm patches and for the first week I tapered down
by making my self walk in place, to the count on one leg of 200
steps in other words 400 steps total then I could have One cig. Every
time I had to have anoughter cig I had to add 50 more steps, so
I cut down real quick. If you smoked 10 during the day you ended
up walking 850 steps per cig. It helped in getting me in to
better shape. After the first week, I went to the patches
and no more smoking, when I wanted one I had to go walk in
place 400 steps. I am a cripple from a accident so I had to lean
over the sink cabinet to support my self. I was already taking a
anti depression so the patchs worked well for me. My Doc canceled
my WLS until 11-16-00, so I kept walking in place and It really
helped. I also have not had a smoke since. Try this it makes you
feel better and it helps you quit smoking, also you feel better about
yourself. You are doing something that helps you prepare for your
surgery. It also sounds like you are depressed but I am not a Doctor.
Talk to your Doctor and get him or her to address your possible
depression and smoking. Also there is a lot of help in here,at least
there was for me. Good Luck God Bless You.
— William C.
January 2, 2001
I was just told on December 28th by the woman who called to schedule my
surgery that I had to be 8 weeks smoke-free before they would even start
the pre-op testing! It really made me mad, because I had my initial
consultation on November 8th and have spoken to many people over at BTC and
this is the first I'm hearing about this!! Anyway, I decided I want this
surgery more than I want a cigarette. I have been smoking about 1 1/2 packs
a day for over 22 years (I was 14 when I started). That night, before I
went to bed, I put water on the cigs I had left and quit. I'm now on day #5
and it is EXTREMELY hard, but everytime I want a cig I tell myself I want
the surgery more. I have been eating "Slim Jims" and
"Twizzlers" like crazy and that seems to help. I find that the
"gnawing" type chewing has helped the most, although I will
probably never eat another of either once I'm through this! Also, drinking
alot of water seems to have helped "clean out" my body a bit. The
only other time I have tried to quit in my life was about a year ago, (I
made it 3 days that time) and my hubby says I'm doing much better this
time. Bottom line...It's all about what you want more. The worst symptoms
seem to be ending for me. It was only REALLY bad where I felt out of
control and "NEEDED IT" for the first day. The second day, I
"WANTED IT", but I felt more in control. After that, I kept
telling myself that "I made it through yesterday, it can only get
easier now." If quitting smoking is the only thing standing between
you and the surgery and you don't quit, you need to ask yourself why you
don't want the surgery. Good luck, and I hope this helps you.
— Mary M.
May 19, 2001
Hello....I'm not sure if you've had your surgery yet. If so,
congratulations! If not, I'd like to answer your "trying to quit
smoking" question. I was a smoker for 3 years. I smoked in excess of
a half pack per day. I smoked all the way up until the night before my
surgery. I REGRETTED IT TERRIBLY! I should have quit the very day I
decided to have this surgery, but I was stubborn and refused. Because I
continued to smoke, I was on oxygen my entire hospital stay AND I had to
have 6 breathing treatments a day! It was awful! And to think, I wasn't a
HEAVY HEAVY chain smoker, I was moreless an average one. (If there is such
a thing! lol) Anyway, I am now 15 days post op and have absolutely NO
desire to start smoking again. The smell of a cigarette leaves me SICK!
I'm glad I quit! Anyway, hopefully that will shed some light on your
situation. Take my advice, QUIT NOW! Good luck! Signed, Your friend
Heather from Florida, Down 33 lbs in 15 days. : )
— Heather W.
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