Trying To Quit

Hey everyone, well I just smoked my last cigarette. I have to stop for my surgery date . I am hopeful I can do it, I can't use the patch or gum because I am too sensitive to stuff like that and my heart feels like it will explode. Have any of you quit smoking before your surgery or ever and have you got any good quiting tips? Thanx, Cheris

Cheris..yes I quit smoking for 6 years..started back..but quit on april 3rd. You have the incentive to keep you going (your surgery), so everytime you think about smoking, think of the reason you are quitting. It will be all worth it. I found that walking increased my energy and curbed that "need" to light up. Drink lots of water too, every time you get that urge, drink some water, walk, do whatever you have to do in order to keep yourself busy. Your surgery date will be here before you know it and then you will have quit for a while, and be proud of yourself! hugs JudyB

I have never smoked so I have no real good words o wisdom except you will recover better after surgery i you do not smoke. I did have to give up cafiene so I had a few hadaches and did not believe I could ever give up diet Mountain Dew but it has been over a year now and I have never had a sip since the evening of surgery. You can do it - the surgery is a great incentive!! Jackie

Hi Cheris, I quit smoking 7 years ago after smoking 1-2 packs per day since I was 16 (that's 18 years of smoking! - other than during my pregnancies). I just kept telling myself that I was a non smoker everytime I wanted a cigarette and it worked for me. Other than this surgery it has been the best thing that I have ever done for myself. You can do this! Just think - you don't want to go through surgery, losing weight, getting healthy looking and feeling - only to die from lung cancer do you? You can do it! Think about how good it will feel to know that you have conquered both food and smoking! The added bonus will be that your clothes and hair won't smell like an ashtray any more! I wish you nothing but the best. Just keep telling yourself that you are a non smoker! YOU CAN DO IT!!!!! Good Luck, Robin

Hello Cheris, I quit smoking November 11, 2005. My husband had a stroke at the age of 38 due to smoking. I then decied to quit after 25 years of smoking 2 packs a day. I was a crazy woman for a while but it is the best choice i ever made. I am also told that smoking increases your risks of ulcers dramatically with WLS. Best of luck-it is hard to do but it can be done. GREAT CHOICE !!

Hey Cheris! I have quit and restarted a couple of times. Some of the things that helped me the most where walking when I had the urge, drinking more water, and distraction when I had the urge. I have known a lot of people who have used gum or candy especially to pop in the mouth right after eating to get over that oral fixation. Not saying this would be your best choice because of the sugar & mental habits but that I have heard people do it. Good luck. Courtney