Hi Everyone,

I quit smoking last January, and gained 25 pounds. OUt of frustration, I started smoking again, without my families knowledge. Now that I am facing the surgery, my doctor said that he wouldn't even consider doing the surgery on me w/o me being a nonsmoker. So I have to requit:cry .

I was wondering if anyone else is struggling w/ this? Also, I have read so much at this site, and some of it (the bad news) sends me outside for a "ciggy". I am scared and nervous about the procedure, which just makes me want to smoke more!:nervous

There's nothing easy about trying to quit smoking or any other habit for that matter. I quit smoking 15 years ago and I must tell you that "quitting eating" is much harder than quitting smoking was. You can do this and you should start now so that when April rolls around you won't be going through too many things at once. It's normal to be scared and nervous but you have to quit smoking no matter what you read here. You have to kick one habit at a time and you have to start with smoking. Good luck! It's rough but you can do it.

This is just my personal opinion: My GP prescribed me Chantix to stop smoking. I have stopped before with the Nicorette patch (twice) tried the gum. Dr. switched me from Cymbalta (anti-depressant) to

Wellburtin XL...(the same exact medication as Zyban) Still couldn't stop. When I had my mind set, and started the Chantix, it was all different. I even quit 1 day before my quit date!

I know what it is like to be addicted to nicotine. I had a stroke two yrs ago (age 36!) and still didn't quit smoking!

I guess I'm saying, just check into it. Perhaps it's the combination of these two drugs that made it easier for me, I don't know.

There are receptors for nicotine in the brain. When smoke is inhaled, nicotine attaches to these receptors. This sends a message to a different part of the brain to release a chemical called dopamine. Dopamine gives a feeling of pleasure. But it only lasts for a short time. The body wants to repeat this feeling. Based on research, it is believed that CHANTIX™ (varenicline) works by activating these receptors and blocking nicotine

from attaching to them. However, CHANTIX does not contain nicotine.

(I copied and pasted this from their web-site) Their site has a very good on-line support system, they e-mail you every day with tips and ideas on how to kick this habit.

Just my 2 cents!

Good Luck!!

I've been smoke free for 40 days

.....side effects: gas, constapation, nausea (I have not gained any weight in 40 days, actually have lost 5 lbs.)