smokers not-anonymous :D

Matt, I just now saw this post. I quit smoking in 2002 after smoking a pack and a half a day for 12 years. I still think about it every now and then but I don't ever give in because I know that if I tried it again it would taste bad now. It wouldn't taste the way it did back then, it's been too long. I can't stand the smell of smoke, I couldn't even stand it when I smoked, lol. I used to never smoke in my home or anything, just outside.

Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that you will always remember it fondly and you may have cravings for the rest of your life but you can get past them. They get weaker and weaker and they start to mean less and less. If I can do it you can do it. I promise. Just stay strong and keep in mind the positive things about quiting smoking. The health benefits are awesome and not only that, my G*d, think of all the money you are going to save!!! That's the other thing that does it for me. I can't believe how expensive it has gotten!

You can do this, keep up the good work. I'm rootin' for ya!

It could just be a blessing in disguise! Good Luck on your search:)

Good for you, Matt, I know it's hard but it is possible to stay nicotine free!! I'll keep my fingers crossed the interview works out:)

Oh NO!!! But its ok everyone falls off hte wagon sometimes!

this month it has been 10 years since i quit smoking (ok that makes me freaking old!) but honestly i still miss doing it, and not the nicotine, having something to do with my hands. My best friend is trying to quit now andshe has teh same problem, its not the nicotine, i think thats why the patches and stuff dont work cause its the action with your hands and mouth that people miss.
anyway good luck!

oh i know, we went to a bar last night, and there were some people behind us and it was blowing righ tin my face! i was like, oooohhhh that smells nice lol. So i grabbed up a straw and started chewing it and starting tearingup napkins to keep my hands busy, and that helped

was wondering.. i'm also a smoker (unfortunately) and my question is that i've heard a lot of ppl on this board said that before the surgery they had certain cravings and after the surgery they seem to have lost them (mostly craving for sweets).

i want to stop smoking.. BUT it's SO hard!!! so what i'm trying to say is that i'm kinda hoping that post op do you think there's a chance i won't crave smoking anymore..?

well, i know you still crave it, Matt, but still i want to know if any of you ex-smokers had this happen to you, that post op you just didn't crave smoking anymore?

The cravings were still there for me postop....I noticed no difference there.

The weight gain...lol, most people say they gain weight after/during quitting. I went to the gym 2x a day back when I had really bad cravings, I think that really helped. Not that I was eating more, it was just something to do to get your mind off the cravings. Also not having any junkfood in the house is a good thing! Good luck..

Matt

thats a good thing to do, talk a walk or something when you feel a craving. The eating is more something to do with your hands and mouth, cause that part is SOOO hard to get over.
That was the absolute hardest part for me, and still is. 10 years later!
Keep your hands mouth busy all the time, and it will help alot.

Personally, i tried to quit by cutting down and all that but it was much easier for me to quit cold turkey.
As for gaining weight, my UC started about 2 months after i quit so i didnt gain weight i was too sick to eat, lol

I quit when I was in the hospital, 1st surgery for ruptured diverticula and 4 days later another surgery for colostomy due to leaking where they had resected my colon.   I was in the hospital about 18 days, so, figured I was over the worst of it already.  It's been tough, and don't know that I would recommend this method, I think that it added to the stress my body was taking at the time--but, being on all the narcotics I don't really remember struggling to quit.  I've wanted to smoke many times since, my cravings for smoking didn't go away right after surgery, but  I don't get the urge very often now (5 1/2 months later).  My colostomy is temporary, I'm scheduled for reversal on Apr 14th--so, my stress level has been high worrying about another surgery.  I've developed parastomal hernia which is huge, and causing a few issues for me.  I had lost alot of weight during surgery, but now am gaining it all back, plus some--I think due to the fact that I am replacing smoking with food, so I am trying to watch that more closely.  I'm off the low residue diet now, so trying to eat more raw vegies...but, now have to go back on it soon due to upcoming surgery.  Oh well, my lungs feel clear, I don't cough up stuff anymore, and my clothes and hair don't smell like smoke!!  good luck to you