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I don't think they're harrassing you...The surgeon needs to make sure that the surgery goes as smoothly as possible and the chances of blood clots are there, but they are so much higher and riskier if you're a smoker! The doctor isn't just holding surgery over your head and saying nana you can't have it until you quit. They don't want to lose a patient or have a patient get a blood clot! They want you to be healthy and I'm sure they want to see how well you handle drastic changes...I think you should try all you can to quit...it's not like quitting would be a bad thing! Good luck...you can do it, but only when you're ready to give it up...

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Hi all!. I'm also scheduling one but have to quit smoking first. I went to my doctor last week and she mentioned something about zyban? Pharmacy overnight's info shows that it's supposed to be a great drug which will help smokers quit. Any user of this drug here? Please do send the info. Thanks.

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My advice is to try a Hypnosis Program. My best friend loved his smokes. He is 31 and had been smoking since age 15. After a few sessions he has not even picked up a pack, the smell of smoke makes him ill.

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I smoked before I had my band back in August of 08. The day of surgery, I quit and vowed never to smoke again. After 2 months of not smoking, I broke that vow. My excuse for starting again was, they took my sweets, they took my carbanated drinks, they took my food, and my smokes and one had to come back or I was going to go NUTS. So I started smoking again. I know thats not a good reason and I was doing so darn good not smoking, but I went back anyways. I quit those 2 months on my own nothing to help me but pure will power. I saw someone mentioned Chantix, Chantix is suppose to be really good at helping you stop, but the side effects where more than I wanted, especially the one that said more apt to try to commit suiciede (know it is spelt wrong).

Now, there is an electric cigg. that is for people that want to quit smoking but is having a really hard time with it. It has nicotine and only that. None of the posions that come with ciggs. When you inhale the end of it lights up just like a real one and when you exhale it is only (i cant remember what the word is i am looking for) like Water that comes out of your mouth. Not, like a stream of Water, something like mist, yeah thats what it is, DUH STACY, you inhale nicotine and exhale mist. It is suppose to be really safe, and it actually curbs the craving. You can even use it in resturants. It comes in menthol or regular, and last for a long time. One electric cigg is all you need, it is rechargeable and comes with the battery.

My aunt was just told she has COPD so her boyfriend starting smoking the electric ones and they dont bother her at all. I even tried it a few times and when I am down at her house, that is what I smoke instead of the real ones. You can't (well I can't) tell the difference between them other than the weight.

I was just wondering if there are any others here who are anticipating surgery, but are smokers. I read today on the site of the group that is doing my procedure (hopefully) that I have to commit to them that I will NEVER smoke again... Not sure that I can promise anyone that. Would just kill me if my addiction to nicotine keeps me from having this done.

Thoughts - prayers - ideas??

Thanks!

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I smoke and I want to quit as soon as possible, especially since I am planning on having surgery in a month. I'm trying to cut down and wean myself off of them soon. I smoke when I'm bored or anxious, and sometimes when I drink, but I rarely drink.

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I smoked for 34 years. And most of it I was smoking 2 packs a day! When I talked to my doctors back on Jan. 5, and found out that I had to be smoke free for one month to do the banding and 6 months to do bypass. I said at that moment, " Well then I've already had my last!"

I went cold turkey the rest of the day. OMG I thought I was going to die! Had to go up to my PCP the next morning to pick up medical records. When I walked in I announced that I didn't care how long I had to wait that I'd sit there all day BUT I was not going to leave with out a prescription for Chantix! IN 10 minutes I was in the room and in 15 I was out the door with paper in hand.

I didn't have any side effects what so ever. Maybe I'm just lucky or something. BUT to me it is a wonderdrug!

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So chantix really helps? I've been searching for the most effective med in helping me break the habit. Do you know any online pharmacy that offers it for a lower price? We're tight on budget 'cause my hubby lost his part time job. Thanks for the help.

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So chantix really helps? I've been searching for the most effective med in helping me break the habit. Do you know any online pharmacy that offers it for a lower price? We're tight on budget 'cause my hubby lost his part time job. Thanks for the help.

Chantix is VERY pricey. You might want to have your surgeon give you a prescription for zyban...that also helps a lot of people. AND...you can use the patch. Zyban and the patch are a good combo to help you quit. And it may cost a bit up front but with the cost of cigarettes, you'll save money in the long run.

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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