November 14 was to be my surgery date.

I've been seeing a smoking cessation lady at the hospital. I was doing really well. Then I went off the NRT, namely Nicotrol Inhaler. I immediately wanted to smoke. The urge got so great that I didn't call anybody b/c I didn't want anyone to talk me out of it. I've been smoking ever since.

At my last appt. w the lady, I registered a 3 on the nicotine inhaler, which is very good.

She suggested that I go off the NRT and do it with a nicotine lozenge. I said, "I'm good. I don't need the lozenge."

There I go again trying to run the show.

I felt so bad that I decided to give up on this program, the all or nothing thinking. Throwing the baby out w the bath Water. I started eating more than I should, even though it was the right food. I wasn't drinking my water.

Then something kicked in and I realized that just b/c I started smoking, all is not lost. The worst that will happen is that my surgery date will be pushed back. I don't like that, but I can deal w it.

So, I'm back on program. I see the lady today. I even started walking three days ago.

Now, I will follow her advice.

This is one vice that I really enjoy. It is one that I really don't want to part with. It's darn hard. I even joined an open mic 12 step group for nicotine addiction.

Just venting, I guess. Any comments or advice is welcomed.

Thanks for reading.

I have never smoked so I don't know what you are going through but I wanted to let you know that I believe you can do this. My mom was a 40 yr smoker and didn't even think about quitting until a lung cancer diagnosis in 2012. I know it was the hardest thing she ever had to do but she is now in remission and feels so much better having quit. It really is mind over matter.

Just remember all of the reasons you decided to have WLS in the first place. I'm sure being a healthier version on yourself is on that list. This is the first step to achieving that goal. Good luck!

Thank you, Lori.

I am so happy for your mom and for you to still have her in your life.

I didn't mention that my brother, who is 59, has lung cancer. Ugh, he still is smoking. I don't get that. Well, I guess I kinda understand it. Sort of???

As a smoker, and having taken care of so many smoking-related sick patients in my life, I've always carried the delusion that it won't happen to me. I guess that's the nature of the beast.

I need to remember that the reason they want me to quit is b/c they told me that smoking interferes with the healing process. They even want me off cigarettes three months after the surgery.

Remember why you're on this journey...to become a healthier you. I smoked for 20 plus years and I stopped smoking 2 1/2 years ago. I saw my son (4 years old back then) pretending to smoke with a pencil and kept saying I want to be like daddy. That was the last straw for me. Trust me it's really not that hard, as long as you really want to quit. Our minds are extremely powerful if we are motivated enough.

The first 3 days were the worst, once you pass that it's allot better as long as you truly want to quit.

Good luck to you!!

Perhaps you should look at what you fear comes with this surgery. I ate nothing but junk until it hit me one day that I wasn't doing myself any favors. That I have the opportunity to change my life but I was scared of change. Instead of having a date in July/August, my date was set for November 26.

Just give it some thought as on a subconscious level, you may have a reason for sabotaging yourself.

I just wanted to send my support! I quit smoking about ten years ago and it is freaking hard. SO HARD!!!! But I believe you can do it. I know you can! Hang in there! You're worth every ounce of the effort and more!

That's a great idea, seriously.

I think that as I'm asking myself that question, I'll write down the answer. That way I can read it without forgetting what my answer is.

Thank you, Lori.

I am so happy for your mom and for you to still have her in your life.

I didn't mention that my brother, who is 59, has lung cancer. Ugh, he still is smoking. I don't get that. Well, I guess I kinda understand it. Sort of???

As a smoker, and having taken care of so many smoking-related sick patients in my life, I've always carried the delusion that it won't happen to me. I guess that's the nature of the beast.

I need to remember that the reason they want me to quit is b/c they told me that smoking interferes with the healing process. They even want me off cigarettes three months after the surgery.

My wish for you is that three months post-op, you won't even have a desire to light up again. Believe in yourself and it will happen! Again, best of luck to you in your journey.

Lorie

My husband was diagnosed wiyh lung cancer 3 weeks ago. He goes into surgery next week. He has a lot of health problems and I hope and pray he makes it. This is the main reason to quit besides the WLS. I smoked for 35 yrs and quit cold turkey 13 yrs ago. It was very hard for quite a long time. You can do this if I did.

I know how your feeling:( it's so much harder than some could imagine. I am smoke free since November 12, 2012! I didn't think I could do it but, now it's almost been a year I feel much better & I feel like I am setting a better example for my 5 y.o., 12 y.o. They hated me smoking:( best of luck to you honey!!!!

Smoking and sleeving are quite incompatible. My surgeon, one of the best in the nation, is a tyrant about it. He has dealt with smoking related complications, his only near fatality was smoking related.

I feel your pain. Even now after all these years smoke-free I still get an urge when I smell it when someone is smoking around me. That's when I kick in my logical mind and squash the urge.

It's like having an ex-lover who did you wrong. You find a new love that treats you like a king but when you see the ex you still have feelings. Then you think of their dirty deeds and compare them to what you have now and the feeling passes like so much gas.

Thank you all for your support.

I saw the smoking cessation lady at the hospital yesterday. She wants me to do this jornaling of when I use the Nicotrol Inhaler, how many puffs I take. Then she wants to go through this process of weaning me off of the Inhaler.

Ugh! I've had it w this preoccupation with cigarettes. I smoked my last one this morning. I'm just going to go through what I have to go through and be done w them.

Martha,

Thanks for starting this thread. I too am having trouble quitting smoking. I just counted the days until I go to my pre-op blood work (19 days). I don't know if my doctor tests for nicotine or not, but I am really worried. I was supposed to quit 6 weeks before surgery and here it is 31/2 weeks.

I really think this is the hardest part for me. The pre-op diet has to be easier than this.

I wish you all the best, and will be thinking of you today as I try not to smoke and try not to kill anyone.

Bonnie

1SuperBonBon, Haha. I haven't killed anyone yet. But, I do feel angry and on edge.

My insurance requires a 2 month period for being off nicotine.

Let's see what happens.

My husband was diagnosed wiyh lung cancer 3 weeks ago. He goes into surgery next week. He has a lot of health problems and I hope and pray he makes it. This is the main reason to quit besides the WLS. I smoked for 35 yrs and quit cold turkey 13 yrs ago. It was very hard for quite a long time. You can do this if I did.

Mokee so sorry to hear that. Sending good thoughts your way

Sent from my iPhone using VST

My husband was diagnosed wiyh lung cancer 3 weeks ago. He goes into surgery next week. He has a lot of health problems and I hope and pray he makes it. This is the main reason to quit besides the WLS. I smoked for 35 yrs and quit cold turkey 13 yrs ago. It was very hard for quite a long time. You can do this if I did.]

I don't know if I did this quote thing right.

Mokee, I am so sorry about your husband. I hope and pray his surgery goes well.

I know that I stay in denial about cancer, especially lung cancer.

My brother who has smoked like me, is dying right now of lung cancer. The way that I deal with it is to stay in denial.

Just typing this, I can feel myself going numb.

I remained nicotine free today.

Wishing only the best for you and your husband.