Hi everyone. I am 32 years old and hoping to have surgery by March or April. I was told i had to quit smoking which I did on January 8th and have not had a cigarette since. I also have to lose 20 lbs before surgery. But, I am having a hard time mostly emotionally giving all this up. It's so hard to not smoke because I used to use that to control my anxiety. I also have a hard time losing weigtht cuz I'm hungry all the time. I'm mulling through all of this and trying to find other ways to deal because I know it will be worth it in the end when I have surgery, but has anyone else gone through this or is going through this that can give me a little encouragement/advice/support? I'm a stay at home mom with a 3 year year old and a 1 year old and I get stressed out easy. Thanks

I didn't have to lose weight before surgery but I did have to quit smoking at least a month before. I just made 7 months post op and 8 months smoke free.

Is there a time limit about the smoking? Maybe wait closer to surgery to quit, and work on the 20lbs first. I don't know I'd I could've done both that far in advanced to surgery.

I used nicotine Patches and suckers to quit. And honestly I was so out of it, and in pain immediately post op that I never even thought about putting my patch on, so I've been without my patch since around the middle of June.

It's hard. I am 34 and have smoked since I was 16. I miss smoking more than food.

Good luck!

Maybe try eating smaller meals, and more of them, so you don't feel so hungry?

Hi Aubrey I went through the same thing you're going through a little over 2 mos ago. I used the Patches to stop smoking and I gained 10lbs by the time I saw my surgeon. My surgeon requires 3mos nonsmoking and by Feb 1st I'll be exactly 12wks without a cigarette. I'm pre-op and hoping for a March date before my 39th bday on Apr 2nd. I'm also a stay at home mom and had to lose 26lbs per Dr orders. I've lost 13 so far and hoping to lose more by my psych eval on 2/5/13. You can do this so hang in there... if not for yourself do it for your babies. Good luck and keep your head up.

Lota

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