Failed :(

[Jane1979 270]

Well, I put on my nicotine patch... And took it off to smoke. Put a new one on last night. Had a very rough time. Slept for about 5 hrs, Waking up every 30 minutes. Not only was I hungry but wanted a smoke. Took off the patch again. My head is pounding and I want caffeine, sugar and a smoke. Ok well I'm smoking now. Need to get used to plain coffee I just took some Advil and I'm going back to sleep. Dr and insurance is not requiring me to quit. I just thought it would be better for me. And no, I'm not using that as an excuse. I feel so lame right now. 16 yr old told me maybe I'm trying to do to many things at once. Maybe he is right. Idk.

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[KristenLe 5,979]

@@Jane1979 Your 16 year old is probably right. I'd quit smoking and keep the coffee the way you want it for now. Stay strong - you can do this!!! You'll be much better off after surgery if you are not smoking.

[Jane1979 270]

@@KristenLe thank you for always being a voice of reason. Yesterday the NUT was very adamant about the coffee thing. No cream no sugar not even stevia! As I was leaving I mentioned that I would also be starting the patch. She said you sure you wanna do that right now? I said yeah! She pursed her lips, raised her eyebrows and said as long as you don't gain weight. I may try another patch later today. The kiddo is just worried that I may flip out lol I'll post here if I do. For now... sleep.

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[WLSResources/ClothingExch 3,444]

Jane, I can't speak of the coffee thing, as I was never told to stop. I will say that your choice to quit smoking is genius. Long ago my beloved internist told me that, if both were too much to take on at once, it was more important to stop smoking than to lose weight.

All I can offer are a couple of tips from the stop-smoking program I attended a thousand years ago -- before anyone had heard of bariatric surgery and the asp nipped at Cleopatra.

- When you feel the urge, drink Water or orange juice. The later especially helps diminish the urge

- When you feel the urge, inhale as slowly and deeply as you possibly can and exhale as slowly and completely as you can. Do it again. Taking in oxygen somehow diminishes the urge. It may not last long, in which case, repeat. Do this a thousand times a day if necessary.

I have no idea why, but quitting was easier for me than for most. I'll tell you anyway that you're in no way lame. You can do this.

Edited September 27, 2016 by WLSResources/ClothingExch

[LipstickLady 25,682]

You don't fail until you stop trying.

You are taking on too much, but eventually, you will be successful. I have no doubt.

Tell the kid to keep his head low, his mouth shut, his room clean, and his dishes out of the sink if he knows what's good for him.

[Djmohr 6,965]

You can do this! It has been a long time since I quit smoking (nearly 30 years) but I do remember that everyday gets a little easier. Honestly if I had to choose between quitting smoking and caffeine, I would choose to quit smoking first. As someone else said, you are trying to do too much at one time.

There is a lot of noise in the system about caffeine and it definitely the lesser of two evils. Smoking can make healing very very difficult so I am shocked that your surgeon is not requiring it. Many won't even touch your case if you smoke.

Take it one hour, one day at a time. I know you can do it!

[Peggy D 124]

After smoking for about 40 years, I quit in May, 2009, using Chantix. I did not have any intense cravings & only gained 10 lbs which I then lost about a year later without trying. If you're ready to quit you might look into Chantix.

As for caffeine, in the 4 months between my initial consult with the surgeon & the day of surgery, I weaned myself off caffeinated coffee & diet colas. First, I went to one cola a day, down from two. After a week I stopped the cola & any other caffeinated soda. Then I gradually weaned off the caffeinated coffee by replacing about a fifth of regular coffee with Decaf each week, then two, then three, etc. until it was all decaf. I used a cold-brewed Toddy coffee maker but you could do it with other methods. I never had any withdrawal symptoms from the caffeine.

[OKCPirate 5,323]

@@Jane1979 - I agree with the teen. Too much too fast. Caffeine needs to be tapered or it will give you a horrible headache. I have found vaping to be most effective way to quit smoking. Nearly half of all smokers in the last five years have quit thanks to that technology (I got a copy of an internal study from my state's "smoke free" initiative which showed how effective it is...those turkeys banned vaping in public before they even studied it...grrr). To tell you the truth, the hardest thing I quit was diet sodas. That was a struggle.

[catwoman7 10,976]

I quit smoking over 20 years ago. It was a bear, but I did it. I was on some usegroup forum of other quitters, a support system not that much different than Bariatric Pal, which is probably no longer in existence but I'm sure there are others now. I'd logon every night and stay on for sometimes hours. It was great to have so many people to relate to.

I chewed a lot of gum and "smoked" a lot of straws. "Smoking" a straw at list somewhat mimicked holding and inhaling a cigarette, which kind of helped until I got over the some of the more intense cravings you have the first few days and weeks.

I'd say if I can do it, anyone can do it - but I know people don't want to hear that! So good luck to you. Millions of people have quit smoking, so you're in good company!!

[Jane1979 270]

@@Peggy D I guess I should have clarified, I CAN have coffee just not at all the way I normally have it. Sugar and cream. Black is just so bitter to me.

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[FindingOnederland 10]

I quit smoking 3 years ago by using a Vape. I'm now nicotine free. I still vape, but there's 0 nicotine in my liquid. Quitting Smoking was the first step in my journey towards health and I feel SOOOOOOO much better.

A few days after you quit you notice improvement in your lungs. You can breathe better, cough less and your energy starts to return

A few weeks in you will find your skin improves, you sleep better and you have a ton more energy

A few months in you won't even think about it anymore. You'll be more vibrant, healthy and breathing easy.

Its worth it. Especially if you are having surgery. Its one less risk factor to worry about and one more positive step in the direction of becoming a healthier you. You're already changing habits to maintain a healthy lifestyle, so this might be another habit you can change. But don't overwhelm yourself. You got a lot going on. If you have to wait till after then wait till after, but if you want to live a healthier life, its definitely a step you might want to consider taking in the future.

[OKCPirate 5,323]

@@FindingOnederland - I totally agree. I was showing COPD symptoms before I quit using the vape. My doc is thrilled those are all gone. He has become a believer in the Vape.

[Pescador 1,374]

Well, I put on my nicotine patch... And took it off to smoke. Put a new one on last night. Had a very rough time. Slept for about 5 hrs, Waking up every 30 minutes. Not only was I hungry but wanted a smoke. Took off the patch again. My head is pounding and I want caffeine, sugar and a smoke. Ok well I'm smoking now. Need to get used to plain coffee[emoji53] I just took some Advil and I'm going back to sleep. Dr and insurance is not requiring me to quit. I just thought it would be better for me. And no, I'm not using that as an excuse. I feel so lame right now. 16 yr old told me maybe I'm trying to do to many things at once. Maybe he is right. Idk. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

The horrible withdrawal of nicotine quite a few years ago was the one thing that kept me from ever smoking again. You can stop, it is pure agony, I wish you the best. I have been there and done that. Hug and a prayer!

[shedo82773 1,236]

Well I am a non-smoker that has quit 4 times!! And always went back to it for whatever reason. Heck I quit for 20 years and went back to smoking due to empty nest syndrome. But I quit with Chantix 8 years ago for the very last time. The thing is I smoked for the first week taking the Chantix. I set my quit day on the calendar and that morning when I got out of bed I did NOT even Think of SMOKING!!! I have no desire to ever smoke again!! This is the very first time ever that I didn't crave one during stress or loneliness or just because!! But I agree with your 16 year old. I do think you are biting off to much at a time. I'm also surprised that your Dr didn't tell you to give it up. I had a Dr tell me when he ask how long I had been quit that he would be doing a nicotine test before my surgery. Nicotine can cause ulcers is what I've been told and it slow's down the healing process. I know it is a hard thing but you might want to wait until you can concentrate on one thing at a time. Good Luck.

[sammy246 235]

I highly recommend Wellbutrin. It worked wonders and I did not gain an oz. I'm now a month and a half smoke free!!! It helped with a lot more than smoking- I really enjoyed the energy it have and how it helped with anxiety.

However you get it done, I would definitely do it before surgery!

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