Been a VERY long time

[MelindaH.]

Hi Jenn! So good to "see" you.

I want to mention a couple of things, but PLEASE don't think I'm picking on you! You know we've been around a while

I'm concerned about needing painkillers for gas pain. I've had some godawful gas pains in the past, but never did I consider grabbing a pain pill. Please, please make sure it's not something else going on. We can develop adhesions and such after intestinal surgery.

I'm very concerned and worried about the smoking. You had a major, life changing surgery, which I would assume was to gain better health! Please don't ruin all that progress and then some by smoking. I know it's the hardest addiction to kick, believe me, but talk with your primary care doc about meds that can be used to help quit. Think about how unhealthy we felt when we were obese. You're increasing your risks beyond belief for cancer and other health ailments by smoking. You didn't come this far to throw it away! I will step off the soapbox, I don't want to offend anyone, truly, but I watched my father die from esophageal cancer from smoking and had to remove him from life support. Truly it was the single most painful day of my life and I still live with that pain. I would hate for your loved ones to live through that, too. I realize there are no guarantees in life, but if you can increase your odds for living a longer, healthier life, then go for it!

Please keep in touch and let us know how things are going!

Love,
Mindy

[jpcello]

Originally Posted by MelindaH.

I'm very concerned and worried about the smoking. You had a major, life changing surgery, which I would assume was to gain better health! Please don't ruin all that progress and then some by smoking. I know it's the hardest addiction to kick, believe me, but talk with your primary care doc about meds that can be used to help quit.

This is exactly what my PCP said to me several years ago. Went to see him for a physical and he said this exact thing to me, which for some reason clicked in my head. He handed me a booklet for chantix. I held on to the booklet for months and finally one day something happened and I called and asked for the prescription. Kept that piece of paper for weeks. Well it worked for me. Its still a struggle every day. Quitting will only work if you truly want to quit and IMHO any method will work as long as you really want it to work.

It's been almost 2-1/2 years. And believe it or not I didn't gain any weight when I quit. Please consider this option.