HI Folks,

Nearly 7 weeks post op - feeling great - lost 25 pounds and inches galore. Saturday I went to a Stop Smoking seminar and have been smoke free 43 hours. Naturally, as a smoker, the key is to not pick up that first cigarette, just like not picking up that first drink. I quit smoking in 2001 for a couple of years and started a new job, and within 4 months, I just had to have a cigarette. I am 14 plus years sober, and I have never picked up a drink since, but cigarettes are like chocolate, and very hard to give up forever. So, for today, I won't smoke, won't drink and will make good food choices.

I am loosing slower than some, and have not had a fill. I am going to see how the next two weeks go and then schedule a fill if I am not losing any.

Have a great day!!!!

:dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:

I have seriously been considering quitting smoking and know I will its just a matter of when? I am not banded yet and am extremely nervous about the pre-op diet. I was thinking of quiting shortly after getting my band. At my initial appointment they told me smokers have a hard time with the band because of the saliva.

Good luck on your journey without ciggs. You CAN do it!

Allright ladies, here's another motivator to quit.

Smoking gives you wrinkles and makes you look older - in a bad way.

Just ask any surgical nurse. We can tell whether or not a woman smokes even when she's asleep and completely relaxed because they have a specific wrinkle pattern.

And I'm surprised that your surgeons didn't talk about smoking cessation as a preop. Smoking increases your anesthesia risk and delays healing.

But the wrinkles thing clinches it for me.

I quit 7 months before and it's been 4 yrs now. I'm SO glad I did. However, not soon enough to avoid the wonderful wrinkles that remind me of my habit of 22 yrs.

My Dr. told me he wouldn't operate on me unless I was clean a month before surgery. I'm trying hard to slow down. Only had 3 so far today, and it's 3:00pm, so I'm not doing bad.

It will happen by May 27. Thats 1 month before surgery.

Oh, and I did hear that smoking may be something that causes erosion :sick so that pretty much tells me that I can't continue after surgery either.:cry

Good Luck,

Lynette:)

I am trying to quit too. I've been on Chantix for about 5 weeks now. I'm still smoking a couple a day. What a nasty habit. Its just a habit. I just need to not pick one up. They taste horrible now that I'm on that drug too. Go figure.

I am banded, I'm not saying you shouldn't quit, because of course that is ideal and if you can, you should! I plan to quit in about 2 years.. but I haven't had any complications due to smoking.. I don't know what you meant about the saliva??

I am banded, I'm not saying you shouldn't quit, because of course that is ideal and if you can, you should! I plan to quit in about 2 years.. but I haven't had any complications due to smoking.. I don't know what you meant about the saliva??

Smokers have more saliva than non smokers and so it makes some banders feel sick to their stomach or other things? I dunno, I don’t have a band yet just repeating what I was told.

HI Folks,

So far so good on not smoking....did put 3 pounds on but have lost 2 of them and getting refocused. I am scheduled to see a fill doctor on Tuesday. Being a Mexican bandster is costly to get a local doctor to accept you as a patient. 2000 up front...but it beats chasing down the USA fill center people. I am still getting food stuck and it kinda scares me. I PB at least every other day. Never sure what kind of food I can Eat. But, I am happy with my band and I think of it as a "BUDDY"!!! :clap2:

I quit 135 days ago after smoking for 42 years! It was much easier than I ever dreamed possible. DH and I used patches for the first week or so and then used 2mg Nicorette gum. I stopped the gum after a few weeks but carry it in my purse - just so that no matter what happens I don't have an excuse to pick up a cigarette. It feels wonderful to be smoke-free.

Moody,

Congratulations on being nicotine free!

Tran,

I want to quit smoking but my head is not in the right place yet. I met with my pcp this week and he wrote out a prescription for a new drug that will help in fighting the urge to smoke a cigarette. I gave the prescription to my pharmiscist who will keep it on file for a year. The drug is very expensive for 180 days $327 or half of that at 90 days.

I have heard a lot of good things about Chantix. My workplace is going smokefree July 1st and were giving out coupns for it to employees. Many people I know say it has been so easy for them with it.

Well, tomorrow is 2 weeks....I am not even needing the gum as much....I lost the 3 pounds I put on...so life is good today

Yes! I quit 01/01/07 and haven't looked back. I feel soooo much better not smoking!

I quit 7 weeks before surgery. I used the patch and I am so glad I quit. This has been the best thing for me, besides the band. My best advise is to not have "just one". I quit last year, and I had "just one" that lasted for 13 months.

Good luck, I KNOW HOW HARD IT IS TO QUIT. I had to quit to do good cardio in the gym. I couldn't get a good workout as a smoker, just gasping for air...not exercising my heart and lungs!

Quiting during band time is a great opportunity to help yourself!