Stay really busy so you don't have time to smoke? I really wish I had an answer for you, but I smoke also, and I cannot quit at this point myself. You could just keep working on losing some weight yourself, I suppose, just little bits, perhaps? I can wish you the best of luck, and keep you in my thoughts and prayers.. Good Luck!!!

Yes its true stay busy, change your routines, we don't smoke in the house, so thats a HUGE help, but driving is hard, first thing in the morning, my hubby smokes 3 ppacks a day and quit for 10 days a couple months ago, of course I didn't quit with him....so mean....he was on the nicatine patch and that helped him ALOT but as soon as he went on the second on after 7 days where u get less nicotine he found it very difficult and essentionaly started smoking again. I hear that "Chantax" works well, it gave me severe anxiety, and night terrors....but you sound like you are on the right track....stay strong...we can do this!!!!!!!! LOL =) Wendy =)

Hi there, I had the Lapband proceedure 4 weeks ago, and the biggest reasons for the Dr asking you to loose weight before surgery is A: that the liver will shrink and it will make it easier to get around your stomach and B: having bariatric surgery takes alot of commitment and a total livestyle change and they (including most Insurances) want to see if you can discipline yourself (I am not saying that it is easy, heck no, it was hard for me too). About quitting smoking, it aids in your recovery and healing process, you heal much better and have less complications when you don't smoke (a hard step for you, but maybe getting the patch will help you to achieve that goal and maybe concentrating on one goal at a time makes it easier to achieve). I had to go on a liquid diet one week before the surgery and though it was so hard to do, it really helps to prepare you for what is ahead of you and it helped shed those stuborn 5lb (I actualy lost almost 10 lb that week before surgery). There are also support meetings available for people that are in the beginning-during-and after the surgery, check if they are available in your area. These meetings are a great help, have lots of information and boost your will-power, besides meeting people that already gone thru with the proceedure. Let me know how else I can help, I'm glad to answer any questions you may have. Good Luck, Sylvia

Good luck with quitting smoking. I know how hard it can be...I quit for a whole year and now I smoke occasionally. It's a hard thing to do, that's for sure! I quit cold turkey. Keep yourself busy! -Tina-

You can do it! And as far as "it's common knowledge that quitting smoking causes weight gain" is a bunch of crap! I quit over 3 years ago and never gained weight because of it. Seems to me like you have every reason to quit and none NOT to. You've got to take care of yourself! Best of luck :)

I can't speak to smoking as I'm fortunate enough to never have started, but as for addiction, food is my addiction that I struggle with daily. I had gastric bypass surgery and I didn't do every recommendation and I kick myself now after having gained weight back. My biggest recommendation is to find a counselor to talk through addiction/food issues you may have.