Cigarette Smoking

Freebigbennow · 09-19-2007, 12:58 PM

<p>Does anyone here smoke cigarettes? Has their doctor advised them to quit prior to surgery? I have been told that I will heal faster and apparently better if Iquit smoking prior to surgery. I don't know if I can given the fact that I am so stresed out about having the surgery in the first place. Then compound that with starving myself two weeks prior to surgery. Seem like a bit much. I guess if nothing changes nothing changes. I am going to give it a shot and quit smoking the day I start my pre-oop diet. Wish me luck. Hope fully I wont get too stressed out. Ihave already chewed all my fingernails off since the day I scheduled my surgery. Dont know if its fear or impatients?<img src="http://www.LapBandTalk.com/images/smilies/sick.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Sick" smilieid="13" class="inlineimg" /> <a href="

OregonHolly · 09-19-2007, 01:53 PM

My daughter was successful finally at quitting smoking by taking the prescription medication: Chantix. They have a website with info. Ask your doctor. It's a nicotine blocker, it blocks the brain from receiving the "relief" you get from smoking. You keep smoking the first week while taking the Chantix, so you keep the "habit" although you don't get the relief. Then by week two you start to cut back on the cigarettes. By week three she was off them for good. She's been a non-smoker for 3 months now, but she stays on Chantix for 6 months. It's been the best thing she's ever done, and she said with Chantix it was possible - no other techniques/tricks worked, including cold turkey.

lovekatz1975 · 09-19-2007, 04:12 PM

I smoke, and honestly, with the stress of all that is going on, I'm going to quit after the surgery. I have a prescription for Chantix, but it's expensive and my insurance doesn't cover it. I figure being I won't be eating out after the surgery, I'll be able to afford it.

nicnaknut · 09-20-2007, 12:59 AM

I am here to encourage both of you to quit smoking when you feel that you want to.... You are getting banded for your health and you really don't want to have any other health problems by smoking...

I smoked for 45 years and quit 2 years ago this Halloween and was diagnosed with emphysema 9 months after I quit. So between my obesity and emphysema, breathing becomes rather difficult at times... I am supposed to be using oxygen, but I don't have any health insurance and I can't afford it on my own.....

It is true that you heal much better and faster if you do not smoke, especially with stomach surgery.... I don't know why the stomach is affected with healing differently that any other part of you body, but smoking really does affect it...

I used Zyban to help me quit smoking.. I don't know anything about Chantix, but I imagine that they pretty much do the same thing.... The Zyban sure did help me and I would recommend that you try the Chantix...

I hope I don't sound like I am preaching because I'm not, I just know what it's like for me to struggle to breath and I don't want anyone else to go through it...

Good Luck and Good Health to you on your journey....

vfran · 09-20-2007, 01:14 PM

I was told that I have to quit smoking by my doctor that it's bad for the band. I'm trying real hard. They re-set my surg date for the 19th I keep trying to get bcbs to pay but because my bmi's not been in the 40 or above for the past 5 years they say no. but I try till they roll me in for surg. I took the Chantix... and it really does help. but I thought after 2 week I had won the battle so I quit taking it so if you start it take it for the full 3 month after you have quit. good luck

Freebigbennow · 09-20-2007, 10:12 PM

<p>How much do these prescriptions cost on a monthly basis? Im sure the cost is probaably cheapers than the 50 or 60 bucks a month I spend on 2 cartons of cigs a month. __________________

lovekatz1975 · 09-21-2007, 02:42 PM

I priced Chantix at a few different pharmacy's here in New York, and they were averaging $150 per month.

vfran · 09-25-2007, 09:24 AM

I have BCBS I pay a $50.00 co-pay for a months worth of medicine when I was taking it. I've been quit on my own for 2 days now thanks nicnaknut your encouragement to the other to quit is helping me.