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Quitting Smoking Pre-Op



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I haven't had the surgery yet but, my best advice is to just do it cold turkey! I smoked for over 20 years and tried multiple ways over the years to try quitting and nothing worked. Finally, I just put my mind to it that I was in contro, NOT the cigarettes, l and I just stopped!! It was hard. And a few times I walked my ass around to the store to buy more but I didn't smoke.

Back in the day I used to smoke in the house so everything I did was tied to smoking.......before and after eating, with coffee, while on the computer, watching TV, etc. As silly as it sounds I took a McDonald's straw, cause they were about the same thickness as a cigarette, and cut it down to cigarette size and used to hold that in my fingers like I would a real one while on the computer, watching TV, wherever and whenever I normally would smoke and guess what, it helped. Multiple times I even found myself bringing it up to my lips and "taking a drag" of it. But hey, it was better than the real thing. I used to carry that thing everywhere. LOL

And as crazy as this sounds, the one day I did break down and bought cigarettes but I told myself I was gonna walk back home WITHOUT smoking one and, if I could make it there without one, I would reevaluate if I really needed it or not. And nope, I didn't need it. I took things minute by minute but I kept those cigarettes in plain view on my desk and told myself if I REALLY needed one they were there. But I was always able to talk myself out of having one. I'd gulp Water, have Snacks like celery and carrot sticks, things that felt like cigarettes too in my hands/fingers. I don't know, just having the there gave me comfort. But I know not everyone would be able to have them that close without caving in.

Anyway , all my little strange things that I tried worked for me in the end and I've been cigarette free for 16 years now!

I wish you the best of luck. I know how hard it is and everyone has to do what works for them.

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When I quit it helped me to carry the pack (with the lighter taped across the top to remind me) in my purse with me. It helped me to know that I was in control and I had cigarettes and could have one any second that I wanted to but I chose not to. To this day I still have that unopened pack of stale ass cigarettes in my top drawer to remind me that I never want to start again. Before that I tried to quit and just knowing that if I really started jonesing that I had to go to the store and buy them still would make me panic and want them more. It’s a mind game but it worked for me. Ooh and I used dum dum Lolly pops to occupy my hand and mouth.

Edited by ShoppGirl
Added lollipops

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I used a non nicotine vape to help me quit for my surgery.

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Chantix worked great for me.

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      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

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      1. NickelChip

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      1. NickelChip

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    • BeanitoDiego

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