3 weeks of no smoking. Yay! Using the Nicorette gum and

[MerryBlooms]

regular gum. I had switched to lights a few months ago, and had been steadily cutting down to the point my last pack lasted me into a 5th day. I had already decided to quit, then the docs telling me I need this hernia surgery... the timing just all came together. I know I'll heal faster, and not smoking will also reduce risk of complications during surgery or following. Still haven't heard back from insurance yet, so in limbo and trying to not make my condition worse. Will make another call to the surgeon today... I am a little bit of a squeaky wheel, but if I don't advocate for myself, who will?

(Haven't gained any of my weight back, and lost 5lb more, so keeping my pie hole busy with the gum has worked. )

[Midnight Writer]

1. Stick with it. It's worth it. I was amazed how much better I feel after quitting.

Improvements in blood pressure, stamina, no more sore throats and coughing jags, food tastes better, and just an overall feeling of being better.

By the way, my hernia started with a coughing jag. Woke up in the morning, started coughing, and I felt something in my abdomen pop. Felt that area and a little pouch had ballooned out of my...well, you know what they are like.

[MerryBlooms]

5. I am surprised by how common hernias are.

Since mine has gone whack on me, 8 of my friends and 2 of my clients have also had them and surgery. This will be the 4th on mine. Multiple incisional hernia... Anyway, they will again remove the old mesh repair and put in new mesh. I get a few days in the hospital of just being a bum, which I'm actually looking forward to.

[Midnight Writer]

9. Good luck. My first repair failed, but my second is 15 years old and holding fine.

[MerryBlooms]

11. This last one has held 13 years, so that's pretty good compared to the others.

[wryter2000]

2. You can do it

I quit 30 years ago. It took a long time, but I honestly lost the urge completely.

Why not keep a log of the money you’re saving and buy yourself something?

[MerryBlooms]

6. I quit once for 10 years, then started again when my husband died.

Quite again for 5, then started again and have been smoking for 3 years until 3 weeks ago. I got this, and now, I got jaws a steel. Chomp!

[MLAA]

3. Well done!

You are well on your way 😊

[MerryBlooms]

7. For sure!

[MLAA]

10. Here a warning from when I quit 15 years ago...

One day you may say to yourself, damn I was doing great and I just blew it...then thankfully you realize you just woke up and dreamt you were smoking 😉. But for a few seconds you are really mad at yourself. 😬

[MerryBlooms]

13. I had a couple of those when I quit before

they are so vivid and I could even smell the smoke. I woke up in a panic.

[rurallib]

42. That dream is something else - it slowly goes away

I have heard every ex-smoker has it.
I quit 45 years ago and last had that dream about 3 years ago. It never seems to go away, just comes less often.

[MLAA]

45. Right, I haven't had one in about 12 years 🙂

[mitch96]

54. - it slowly goes away

Took about 7 years for me. Cold turkey but the body and mind told me it was time. Years after, the smell was horrible, Could not kiss someone who smoked, big mess all over but I STILL had that urge in the center of my chest for a cig.. Even now sometimes at the right moment and place it just smells "interesting"...
Alcohol was another bugger. Only took a few months but the pull is still there. I guess I have an
addictive persona...
I know ... TMI
M

[SWBTATTReg]

4. Congrats! Keep up the good work, and before you know it, you'll be free of this scourge...

Best wishes to you!!

[MerryBlooms]

8. Thanks!

[liberaltrucker]

12. Good for you!

I quit in March, 2018 and still use nicotine gum occasionally.

[MerryBlooms]

14. Congrats!

[broiles]

15. On Nicorette for 30 years now

[but I don't smoke and haven't for 30 years.

[MerryBlooms]

21. I'm tapering off. Down to 4 pieces a day and regular gum in between.

When I filled out the paperwork for surgery, it asked about all tobacco products, including Nicorette products. I was surprised to see that.

30 years is awesome.

[MerryBlooms]

22. Congrats!

[Gore1FL]

18. Congratulations.

I had to go cold turkey.

[MerryBlooms]

23. I went cold turkey before, no picnic.

[Gore1FL]

38. What made it work for me was a 4-hour session that included 1 hour of hypnosis.

The hypnosis functioned more as a pep-talk, I think. But, in the end I was able to stick it out and used the techniques provided.

I went in choking down what ultimately was my last cigarette. I had no faith going in that it was going to work!

It comes with my highest recommendations:
http://www.hypnosmoke.com/

[SCVDem]

19. 18 years quit.

Keep telling yourself how this really stinks.

Good luck!

[MerryBlooms]

24. Yep, from a mile away. Thanks!

[Cousin Dupree]

20. That's wonderful! Congratulations! A huge achievement. I know, because I was terribly

addicted to cigarettes, and was smoking 2-3 packs per day! Quit Dec 7, 1995. Best thing I ever did for myself. And one day in the future you’ll realize you went a whole day without thinking of cigarettes!

[MerryBlooms]

25. 2-3 packs! omgosh, you must have felt so much better within a very short time.

Wonderful, congrats!

[Cousin Dupree]

43. Physically I felt better pretty quickly, but mentally it was difficult. I felt like it had lost my

best friend until I realized my best friend was my worst enemy.

[MerryBlooms]

46. Yeah, I can totally see that perspective.

Glad you fought the battle and are here with us.

[MerryBlooms]

26. WooHoo! Just got the call from the surgeon-

Insurance approval and now just waiting on the call from the hospital to set the schedule!

[jberryhill]

27. Congrats

[MerryBlooms]

32. Thanks

[Squinch]

28. You rule! Best thing you could ever do for yourself! And you are past the hard part!

Really, if you are ever tempted to go back, think of all you put into it and how much you don't want to go through that rough part again.

I had dreams for 15 years that I had smoked, and after each of those dreams I woke up crying. But I never actually smoked again. Don't even want to now.

[MerryBlooms]

33. The detoxing is the worst. Thanks.

[SCVDem]

29. I bought a BMW Roadster

Still have the car and my lungs.

It took a month for the grab reflex to subside.

Smoking STINKS!

Imbed that thought in your head.

I didn't quit 420 though.

[MerryBlooms]

34. Congrats! I was never into weed, so no worries there. Carry on.

[dewsgirl]

30. Congrats, I have done it twice, I know how hard it can be.

[musicman65]

31. I have the same dilema

need hernia repair and still smoking,,,what is a fool to do

[MerryBlooms]

35. I had a client tell me their brother had one heckuva time healing

after their surgery and the brother was a smoker. I think it's a good idea to switch to a smoking aid or at least cut way back. Best of luck, I hope everything goes well for you.

[Ahpook]

36. Sounds great

It is tough, but I will say something that kept me going. It may seem small , but it really wasn't.

I started smelling things again such as flowers blooming, food cooking or even weather patterns. That smell of snow coming? It was there! Things I haven't smelled since childhood and memories came rushing back. It felt so good to wake up and smell honeysuckle again

Tastes of food came roaring back as well. It was amazing and made the decision to stop even better. There was no way to go back!

My senses felt bionic within just a few days of quitting You will love it.

[MerryBlooms]

37. That's a very big deal! Something crazy, I've always

had a sensitivity to secondhand smoke. Itchy watery eyes, runny nose... Now, my allergies are back to just my cats, mold and some flora. I am so glad I never smoked in my home or vehicles.

[Ahpook]

39. And don't worry with the weight gain

Wonder if that comes from over eating to compensate after quitting smoking?

I didn't gain any. Matter of fact I lost some weight since bike riding was much more efficient.

[MerryBlooms]

40. I'll be healed up by spring and be back in my gardens, so that

will be a big help in keeping the weight off. Plus, I can hop on my Schwinn and pedal around our bike path- super easy access outside our back fence. Really looking forward to spring and putting all my plans for the gardens in motion. I have many flowers up already, and some will bloom this week. I love spring!

[Skittles]

41. if you are tempted to light up

tell us on DU and we will talk you out of it; yes INDEED

[MerryBlooms]

47. I will.

[rurallib]

44. Take @ 10 very deep breathes if you are ever tempted - keep it up!

weeks will soon be months, then years.

And take a lot of pride in beating one tough drug.

[MerryBlooms]

48. I lose myself in reading the news whatever, and within minutes,

I'm distracted enough and I'm good for hours. I was out shopping on my first day, and walked by a gal who was smoking in the parking lot. I joked around with her and asked if she minded if I stood by her and took a couple of deep breaths. I didn't, but we both had a giggle, and she wished me good luck.

[Tikki]

49. MerryBlooms...3 weeks turns into 3 months and 6 months and then a year....

and as many, many here will tell you....

We are 5 years, 10 years, 15 years and more smoke-free..you will be, also.

Good luck with the surgery.

Tikki

[raccoon]

50. Best to you! Nt

[lillypaddle]

51. I finally had success with the nicotine gum

after a few false starts. It's been 6 years now. Good for you. Good luck!

[Freddie]

52. Congrats!!

My BIL bought a new car when he quit, figured the $ he saved per month was at least the car payment; also he would NOT smoke in his brand new car.

[donkeypoofed]

53. The Easy Way to Stop Smoking book!

The is the only way this former 25 yr smoker put down cigarettes and walked away, without looking back and missing it. So if you find you're "missing" smoking, get this book! It'll make sure you stop , forever.

[zanana1]

55. Don't worry about the weight gain.

It's much better to have love handles than black lungs.

[MerryBlooms]

56. Thanks for all your encouragement and support.

You guys are the sweetest.

[Glorfindel]

57. Good for you, MerryBlooms! I quit almost 28 years ago...

I wanted to see my great-nephew grow up. Now he's 27 years old, a fine young man, and getting married this coming October to a beautiful young woman. Even though I gained some weight, it was most certainly worth it. I never did like to chew gum. The patches worked for me.
Keep up the good work, fellow former smoker!