I Need Support From Sister Who Understand

I had my TAH 2/4/13 since then I have gained 25lbs and still a smoker.

I have been dieting this week and last night I while trying to sleep I realized that more than anything I need to quit smoking. I could hear myself wheezing.

I have a high stress job and a beautiful 8 year old which I was 41 when she was born.

I notice that all the women I know that are 10 to 15 years older the I who are great in their age are non smokers. I don't want my child to see cigarettes take her mom.

I seen my mom being held hostage by cigarettes and leaving me 2 months after my hysterectomy, She was 66 and an aunt 3 months later at 59.

I just don't want to be held hostage anymore and know that I can do it. Just where do I start? Smoking and Weight.

You can do it! You may try and fail, but do keep trying. I quit 4 months before surgery and was already stressed with weight issues from the Lupron I was taken. To battle that I filled by fridge with carrot sticks, berries, grapes, cherry tomatoes, cucumber wedges and snacked on only those. After about a month of quitting I found that I can take longer and faster walks and then eventually started to exercise. I lost almost 20 pounds before my surgery and I stopped thinking about cigarettes but can't wait to get back to my exercises. I also used NRT up and until the surgery and found it helped.

I am also 41 and I was able to quit smoking before my surgery. I smoked for 20+ years and thought smoking was great. I know this sounds wonky but I was able to quit by reading The Easy Way to Stop Smoking by Alan Carr. I truly recommend this book and I am not affiliated in any way with the author nor do I stand to benefit if you buy this book. I believe in this book so much I would buy it for you as a gift. Please feel free to contact me at any point while trying to stop smoking. I know you can do it!
Heather

When I woke up from surgery there was an issue with my oxygen saturation. The dr. Had put a nicotine patch on me to avoid withdrawls. He then spoke to me about my oxygen levels. It scared me so bad that I have not had a real cig since the night before the surgery. I wear a patch and smoke a zero nicotine ecig if I need the motion of smokibg. At 51 I want to be healthy. I had quit 8 times previously and started back 9. You have to decide what and when is right for you. I feel a 100 percent better. There are free online stop smoking support websites as well as apps. For me all it to was an 80 percent saturation level on 6 liters of oxygen and I was done. Do it for yourself. I have a high stressed job 2 hour commute a disabled husband and son. So I understand how smoking is a break from it all. The problem is my breaks almost broke me. Do some research look into some ecig and decide for you. I will keep you in my prayers. Best wishes.

I do understand it was my grandparents who smoked, 3 left us to soon all from cancer and my Gram made to 93 and only stopped smoking because my dad would not allow the RNs to give them to her.. I stopped smoking for two years, then I went through a rough patch and started smoking again. As soon as I smoked the first one it was like I never put them down, I swear within a month my health right back to where it had been, wheezing all the time. This did make me stop it was just easier to smoke then to fight it. I smoke for 3 more years.

One day I was talking to my sweet husband who does not show emotions and he teared and said he hated to see me smoke because every drag I took I was killing myself and he did not want to lose me....wow that hit me in the face like a brick. So a month before my surgery I started Chantix, I had minimal side effects. I did not smoke while you n the hospital. When I got home I would lght a cigarette take a drag or two and then put it out. So I smoke a total of 2-3 a day. I starting to enjoy them again and was scared I was going go back to smoking 1.5 packs a day.

I was back at work part time 3 weeks post op. One day co worker who is only 25, left our job in ambulance, with " stroke" like symptoms. Well, that hit me hard since she isy work wife.. Lol. So I looked into Vapes, spoke to her about it and I am happy to say with the help of the vape I have not smoked in three weeks....
My work wife did not have a stroke, she had what is call TIA, and she to has not smoked with help from a vape....now we are weaning oourselves off the vape which is easier.... Good luck

I can't provide any tips on weight loss as I am struggling with weight gain myself since I had surgery last year.

As far as stopping smoking goes, I highly recommend a nicotine patch. They worked wonders for me and I have been smoke free for almost a year and a half now. I experienced no cravings whatsoever. There is the cost of the patch involved but when you weigh that against the cost of cigarettes, there is no comparison. I was unable to complete the entire 10 week program as I developed an allergic reaction to the adhesive (I am also allergic to Elastoplast band-aids) so willpower took over and I have never felt better. Good luck to anyone trying to quit. I smoked for over 30 years and if I can do you, so can you!

Hugs

I quit 2 months before surgery. For my last pack, every time I had a cigarette, I would break some off to smoke less. My last cigarette had 1 drag left. I then started on the lozenges/gum. I only smoked 12 a day, so it didn't seem that hard. I smoked for 33 years and it will be 2 years in November since my last one.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Cinl11 I quit 2 months before surgery. For my last pack, every time I had a cigarette, I would break some off to smoke less. My last cigarette had 1 drag left. I then started on the lozenges/gum. I only smoked 12 a day, so it didn't seem that hard. I smoked for 33 years and it will be 2 years in November since my last one.

Congratulations!!

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Beachbabesoon You can do it! You may try and fail, but do keep trying. I quit 4 months before surgery and was already stressed with weight issues from the Lupron I was taken. To battle that I filled by fridge with carrot sticks, berries, grapes, cherry tomatoes, cucumber wedges and snacked on only those. After about a month of quitting I found that I can take longer and faster walks and then eventually started to exercise. I lost almost 20 pounds before my surgery and I stopped thinking about cigarettes but can't wait to get back to my exercises. I also used NRT up and until the surgery and found it helped.

This is best advice since it helps both issues. I am almost 5 years smoke free and i lost 24 pounds this year. Cucumbers are a really big thing because so filling and so much water. Watermelon also helps.

I used champix to help me quit though and kept 1/2 a pack with me. When i would really want them i would "talk" to them, saying i could do it etc. I had tried previously and threw away my smokes which made me think of them more. Good Luck!