Here is a little tidbit of useful information!

[Idahobeauty]

I went to the pre surgery seminar today and all was good! I have had my sleep study done already. I already have all of my bloodwork done WAHOOO, I am all excited to get going on this journey and then the tough part comes....I have to quit smoking 2 months prior to surgery and will be tested before surgery....Now mind you, I had already planned on quitting smoking but after the surgery and not TOMORROW!!!!! I need to get this done before the end of the year so I don't have to do the whole deductible thing again. DANG! I know it is for my own health and well being and that I should have never started in the first place.. I thought the pre op diet was my only obstacle at this point. This makes the pre op look like a cake walk. I do, however, want this badly enough to quit now. The good news is that I have an appt tomorrow with my primary doc and will ask for assistance with this task. Wish me luck.

[NotSoFunny]

quitting is so hard. i have not been able to. i quit for the surgery, but took it up again afterwards. :(

[PhotoNut]

Woops!! I didn't even think to ask if you smoke. Well, all things happen for the best! And it IS best you quit. Typical time Cahn's patients to get to surgery after the beginning the process is two months, so at least you arent delayed. And youre not alone. Many here had to quit prior to band surgery and PS surgery. It ruins your ability to heal, so its a big NO NO.

I'll be with ya kiddo. Just keep your eye on the prize. Better health. This is just part of it. A serendipity! (sp?)

*hugs*

[Firefly]

You can do it hon. I know its not easy but I know you'll get there!

[Idahobeauty]

Thank you guys sooooooooooo much. I know I can do it and I probably would not even try if it werent for wanting this band so bad but it is worth it. I can't tell you guys how much I appreciate your support. I plan on downing the water and getting out the sunflower seeds. I really think it is all mental...LOL.. yeah thats it.. I am mental...LOL

[Goannabanda]

Way to go Idahobeauty - quitting smoking will make HUGE improvements to how quickly your body heals after the surgery, not to mention all the other health benefits you'll gain by being smoke free.

You'll do fine - you have a mighty powerful motivation. You'll probably also pick up tools along the way that will help you post-band to deal with head-huger and other sources of stress in your life.

Check out the heaps of online resources that are available to help you. You might like to look at our local (Victoria, Australia) Quit website - www.quit.org.au. The anti-smoking warnings carried on ciggy packs over here are VERY graphic, and are also on this site. It's worth a look if you need a strong mental image to use as motivation.

The anti-smoking lobby is very stong here in Australia, and our quit smoking support and tools are amongst the best in the world. Ciggys can't be advertised in any way. They can't even have their labels on display in the shops. All you can ever see of a ciggy pack in our shops is a printed health warning on the front and top of the pack.

BTW - did you know that smoking can cause up to 30% loss of fertility in women who smoke. No, that's not an excuse to keep smoking (as contraception) LOL! But is IS yet another good reason to get of the fags (if you want to have a baby, that is of course!).

All the best!

[Idahobeauty]

Goanna, thanks for all the info. I am 13.25 hours into this and doing OK. I could be better but I am ok. I have been looking online at some of the support sites. Lots of good info. I have been trying to keep myself very very busy. I have also tried to AVOID talking to my mother..LOL. It just sucks to try to get through the first few days. I just hope I can sleep tonight. Last time I tried to quit smoking I wrecked my car...LOL. I am staying home today.

["Just" Paul]

My wife quit smoking with hypnosis, and hasn't had one in 6 months.

1 session with the therapist, then she listens to this CD every night.

Seems to be working.

[Idahobeauty]

Paul, That is awesome that she could do that. I have always been afraid that it would not work for me and there I would be in the same boat. My dr. put me on the welbutrin for 6 months (which I think is excessive) and that seems to be working so far. I am by no means saying that this is easy but it is much less stressful than I thought it would be. I still have my moments but for the most part I am really happy with the results.

[Goannabanda]

Idaho,
Are you using nicotine patches and gum? I believe that they are very successful. They just started selling them here as a combo pack - you use a 16 hour patch during waking hours, and top up with gum when you need extra support. I think the brand is Nicorette - you could google it to find out what the dosages are etc if you want to try it.

My brother in law was a 50 fag a day smoker - he quit cold turkey when my sister in law fell pregnant. That was 7 years ago. He says sometimes it's hard when he cops a whiff of ciggy smoke somewhere. He says he tried a fag one day about 2 years after he quit, which he didn't enjoy at all and put out after just a couple of drags. He says he knew then that he'd never smoke again. We're so proud of him. You can do it too.

I've not been a smoker (apart from the odd one here and there at parties), so don't truly know how hard it would be to quit, but I am passionate about supporting people who have decided to quit smoking with their efforts to quit and have a healthier life. A bit like I am starting to feel about supporting my banded mates...

Hugs to you. Check in again and let us know how you are going. It takes 21 days to make a new habit - that's 1 down already, and only 20 more to go. Keep busy, and keep up the good work.

[Idahobeauty]

Goanna, Thank you so much for your support. I would LOVE to use the nicotene patch and gum but.... I need to be Nicotene free for 2 monts. So, I am using the welbutrin tabs. They do seem to help. I have not smoked since 8:30 pm on 09/12/06!!! It is not easy but I have been keeping myself really busy. That is AWESOME about your brother. It is soooooooooooooo hard. They say that quitting cigarettes is harder than quiting heroin!! I can't imagine (or maybe I can) what that must be like. Your brother is a very strong willed person that is for sure. I am hoping that I hear from the surgeon today to tell me that I am a candidate for the surgery. That will give me lots more motivation. Thank you so much for remembering and being here for support. I really appreciate it.

[Goannabanda]

Idahobeauty - no worries - and great work. Keep it up. Is that 3 days down already??? Only 18 to go on the "New Habit Scale"!!!

Doing it without patches is tough, but you'll get quicker results going "cold turkey", plus be ready for surgery and accepted before you know it. I'll check in with you again over the weekend to see how you are getting on and if you heard from the surgeon. Don't be tempted to have a fag if the surgeon's response isn't ahat you're hoping for - remember that I'll be checking up on you!!! (and I'm evil. he he he)

You are welcome to PM me at any time.
Cheers!

[Richard Froshiesar]

Good Luck and you are making a grt decision

[Idahobeauty]

Thanks everyone, Goanna, you are awesome. It is day 3 and I am doing ok. I just WANT A FREAKING ANSWER!!! I know what even if I am turned down I will at least still not smoke but it is driving me nuts. In turn I am driving P'nut (she had the same dr.) nuts trying to find out how her experience went. Today my husband said "put some good thoughts out there in the universe and good stuff will come back " My reply (3 days cold turkey) was "the nicest thing I could do today is to not rip someones head off".LOL To top all of this off, I have a HUGE financial meeting today. I just keep telling myself, that which does not kill me makes me stronger. So maybe I will hear SOMETHING today.

[DonnaB]

Yay! Good for you Idaho!

I know this is hard for you, but this is the BEST thing you'll ever do for yourself and your health, even better than losing weight. Just imagine how amazing your life will be when you are banded and smoke free!

Congratulations and keep it up. When you need some reenforcement, come back to b2g, we're all pulling for you.

[Idahobeauty]

Ok, here we are day 4. No more Wellbutrin. That stuff just made me way to jittery. I felt like I was on some kinda speed or something. Still not smoking. I am very surprised at how well I am dealing with this. I have smoked for 18 years!! I have only had 1-2 cravings today and that is it! Wahooo. I still am a little edgy today but not nearly as bad as I was with the Wellbutrin. I am a NONSMOKER NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DebbieChoos]

Here's another reason you may have trouble quitting:

USA Today: More nicotine in Cigarettes
Posted 8/30/2006 12:25 PM ET

"BOSTON (AP) — The level of nicotine that smokers typically consume per cigarette has risen about 10% in the past six years, making it harder to quit and easier to get hooked, according to a new report released Tuesday by the Massachusetts Department of Health.

The study shows a steady climb in the amount of nicotine delivered to the lungs of smokers regardless of brand, with overall nicotine yields increasing by about 10%.

Massachusetts is one of three states to require tobacco companies to submit information about nicotine testing according to its specifications and the only state with data going back to 1998.

Public Health Commissioner Paul Cote Jr. called the findings "significant."

The study found the three most popular cigarette brands with young smokers — Marlboro, Newport and Camel — delivered significantly more nicotine than they did six years ago. Nicotine consumed in Kool, a popular menthol brand, rose 20%, for example.

Jennifer Golisch, a spokeswoman for Altria Group Inc.'s Phillip Morris USA, the nation's largest cigarette maker and manufacturer of Marlboro cigarettes, declined to comment. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., manufacturer of Kool and Camel cigarettes, also declined. Reynolds is part of Reynolds American Inc.

The study has always measured nicotine levels based on the way smokers actually use cigarettes, health officials said, for example by partially covering ventilation holes as they smoke and taking longer puffs. Traditional testing methods, which don't take real-life smoking habits into account, typically report lower nicotine contents, researchers said.

"The amount of nicotine in a cigarette has increased steadily over the past six years," the department said, indicating in its reports that the smoking habits simulated had not changed in that period.

Of the 179 cigarette brands tested in 2004 for the report, 93% fell into the highest range for nicotine. In 1998, 84% of 116 brands tested fell into the highest range.

"We want health care providers to know that smokers are getting more nicotine than in the past and may need additional help in trying to quit," Cote said.

Smokers who choose "light" brands hoping to reduce their nicotine intake are out of luck, according to the report that found for all brands tested in 1998 and 2004, there was no significant difference in the total nicotine delivered between "full flavor," "medium," "light," or "ultra-light" cigarettes.

The finding means that health care providers trying to help smokers quit may have to adjust the strength of nicotine replacement therapies like nicotine patches and gums, according to Department of Public Health Associate Commissioner Sally Fogerty."

Unbelievable huh? Best of luck, this is the best thing you can do for yourself along with your band.

[THEQUEEN]

Keep Up The Good Work!!! It Is Hard!!!

I'm Not A Non Smoker, Never Will Be But....... I Haven't Had A Smoke In 5 Weeks As Of Today. I'm Sure The Hubby Would Liked To Have Had A Set Of Ear Plugs As I Just Haven't Been Very Nice To Live With. I'm Trying To Hold It Together And He Knows That But It's Not Easy. I've Been A Smoker For 30 Years Now

The Best Part Is, I've Lost 12 Pounds Since Being Banded Aug 17 And Haven't Had A Smoke :)

[Idahobeauty]

Queen, That is awesome that you quit!! It is not easy is it? At 5 weeks out are you still having cravings? I only have one or two a day and that is it. I am chewing gum like a fiend but other than that is has been way better the last few days. Good luck to you and keep me posted.

[Goannabanda]

Way to go idahobeauty - and great news about being accepted!
Keep uo the good work!

[THEQUEEN]

Lol I Think I'll Always Want One. Yes, The Craving Is Still There. Not Like It Was But It's There Believe Me Lol. I Haven't Quit, I Just Haven't Had A Smoke In Weeks :) I'll Always Be A Smoker In My Head I Think

I Just Take It An Hour At A Time Still

Keep Your Eye On The Prise!!!

[Idahobeauty]

Goanna, Thanks for all of your encouragement! I hope you had a great weekend. I am doing much better today. I am feeling more like myself. I am finding that the daily challenges are easier now than they were when I first quit. Heck I even had it out with the neighborhood drunk today..LOL. I went and had my bloodwork done today. The phlebotomist (sp) blew out 3 of my veins today trying to get 7 vials of blood...:wacko: I had my chest x ray as well and will have my ekg tomorrow.

Queen,

I am glad you are smoke free for so long. I have to consider myself a non smoker. It is what keeps me motivated. It truly has its trying moments but I think I have the worst of it over now. Good luck and keep us posted.

[THEQUEEN]

LOL YOU THINK THE WORST IS OVER?

HEHEHE, JUST WAIT TILL SOMEONE REALLY PISSES YOU OFF :o

STAND BACK, WAYYY BACK LOL

HAPPY SMOKE FREE DAY BEAUTY :)

[Mrs Sabre]

Best of luck to everyone who has or is trying to quit smoking! I know it's hard, but you can do it! :)

I smoked over 1 pack a day for 21 years. I quit almost 8 years ago using both the patch and Wellbutrin for a month. Hi, my name is Karen, and I'm a cigarette addict! Sometimes I smell fresh cigarette smoke and still crave them. I don't dare pick one up because I know I'm one puff away from a pack a day habit!

[Idahobeauty]

Here we are 10 days out and all is good. I am so glad I quit smoking. I have been through several situations in the last week that would have quickly sent me back to smoking in the past but I have not even wanted a cigarette. I picked up a friend at the airport two days ago who forgot that I quit smoking and as soon as she got in the car she lit up a cigarette. I was fine. It did not bother me that she was smoking and the smell did not make me want one either. I am not sure if this has been a mind change issue but whatever it is I like it.

[Iulizbug]

Good for you!! That is the worst for me and I will admit that I am weak when I am around my girlfriends that are smoking. I have cut down to only smoke when I drink and even then I dont' smoke alot UNLESS I am around other people that are....You are very strong. Keep up the great work and Congratulations!

~Liz~
03/10/06
241/167/160
5'7''