A question for anyone who smoked prior to being banded. I know most surgeons want/require smokers to stop smoking at least 8 weeks prior to surgery. How did you stop? What tools did you use? was losing the cigarettes as hard as changing the eating habits? I am a smoker, and even though im still several months out from surgery, the thoughts of giving up my cigarettes scares me more than the food changes. I enjoy smoking, but I know I need to quit. I think what scares me most is the thought of failure. Of not being able to stop. what a horrible addiction!!

Thanks for any info.

The best thing that helped my wife and I quit for fertility was www.whyquit.org

Read through all the articles. We quit cold turkey. It was hard. Very hard. We did it one at a time. I quite for 4 months then she quit. The most important thing you have to keep telling yourself over and over and over again is that relief is on the way. Breath.. breath.. breath... relief is on the way. It's comming. You have to hold on. That was what got us through the throws of the cravings. We will both be happy talk further with you about it but March 10 2007 marks my 1 year smoke free. I am so relieved to not have to deal with that anymore.

Thanks yuka!! Any and all help is appreciated. Not only is it an unhealthy habit, but an expensive one too. Ive counted up the money I would save if I didnt smoke, $1200 a year!!! I could use that to take a great vacation, or to buy new clothes after Ive lost weight with my band. Plus Ill be able to breathe !!

Yeah it is expensive. In my case I found that my money was sticking around alot longer not just because I wasn't buying smokes, but because I wasn't hitting up the atm as much for cash for smokes. I could never figure out what happened to the change from a twenty when I bought a pack. Balancing my checkbook was easier to.

Practice the mantra.. Relief is comming. Relief is comming.

Hey gyfts,

I just read your statement about your primary care doc. Hey.. F@$% that guy/gal. Time to shop for a new doctor. My doc is real loser too. Tried to pull the same crap on me. He/She doesn't need your buisness. Screw em.

I quit 2 yrs ago cold turkey and the best advise I got was wait 15 minutes and see if the craving goes away if not chew gum for another 15 minutes and then if not smoke(it would help if you do something in the mean time)

but I never did It became a competiton with myself to see how long I could stay smoke free..I know it is a struggle everyday but it will get better..good luck

Today is SIX WEEKS without a Cigarette!!!

It was mine and my huny’s New Years Resolution. We used one package of Nicorette gun between the two of us and then we just chewed sugarfree gum and supported each other. I would call him the first week or so when I was on my breaks at work. I changed my work routine from the first day. That is the important part. You cant do the same thing and expect different results.

Quiting in my opinion is a matter of wanting to quit!!! You can quit you just have to believe in yourself!!!

:clap2::clap2::clap2:

You can dooo it!!! LOL!!!

Well, my PCP prescribed Chantix for me yesterday. I started it already. So I am planning on being smoke free Saturday, Feb. 25th. YAYYYYYYYYY And low and behold, my PCP recommended me for the lap band surgery. She must have had a change of heart.

Kelly-congrats on your surgery. Hope all went well for you, and continues to go well. Keep us posted!

way to go keep up the great work

Thanks everone for the great info on smoking. I have been smoking for 30+ years. I have never tried to stop, I love to smoke. My Doctor has given me Chantix I have not started yet. How do get over the cravings " the first cup of coffee". I am sure it is going to be very difficult. Thank God for my family..

Thanks all

I quit 3 days befoe surgery, I had cut down to less then 4 a day at that point , and I used Zyban. I don't know if that is differesnt from Chantix (I 've never heard of that till now) but boy did it help!