I Told Everybody That I Would Quit Smoking If I Got Approved.so If I Put On Weight I Could Lose It When I Have Surgery. Well I Got Approved. This Will Be So Hard.i Can Do This Right.

Ladysplenda/linda

It wasn't easy to quit - but I did one thing that actually helped. I, also, smoked behind my Husband's back at work after we "quit". After a while, I realized that it wasn't so much the cigarette that I wanted, but the break...

After I realized this, I started taking "Second Hand Smoke Breaks". When my buddies went out, I went too - but I stood up-wind and just talked to them. It was much easier to give up the nicotine than to give up my social time with co-workers.

Hope it helps.

My sister went to hypnotherapy and was told to take calcium, B Complex, drink orange juice and lots of water to flush your system. It worked for her. She smoked for 40 years and has been smoke free for 2 months. Good Luck.

I've stopped and started smoking a few times in my life. A few things I have learned:

1. The relapse (most likely period) period is 3 months. Once you get past 3 months it's completely in your head. Nicotine leaves your body within 12-15 days. But once you get past 3 months, major accomplishment.

2. You can never have just that one. Too easy to convince yourself you can have just one more and more often....and then you are a smoker again.

3. Do what works for you. This means you might need to try a few different things before you figure it out.

DONT GIVE UP

YOU CAN DO IT.

I did and gained 15 lbs. but that's ok...I can lose the weight again. Feeling healthier is worth it. GOOD LUCK Keep us posted.

Linda,

This will probably be one of the hardest things you will ever do... but have faith! YOU CAN DO IT!!!! So many have done this, and so can you!

I once read that it was easier for someone to quite a cocaine addiction then a tobacco addiction... YOU CAN DO IT!!!

I seem to recall Dr. C Everett Coop testifying before Congress when he was the Surgeon General, that nicotine was more addictive than heroin.

My mother in law quit smoking with the help of Zyban. That and the fact that she had a CXR with a funny spot that scared the s*** out of her.

I can't tell you about the number of patients I've seen with several complications of smoking that still can't quit. People on supplemental oxygen secondary to emphysema, still smoking; people with amputations secondary to vascular disease worsened by smoking, yet they still smoke threatening the other limb, etc...

Don't be discouraged if you can't quit the first time. Keep at it. In the long run the health benefits are worth it! Maybe you can use your Lap Band surgeon's support group to also discuss and encourage your tobacco cessation. Good luck!