Hello everyone.... New here. I joined a bariatric program last December. I have jumped all the hoops and have checked all the boxes required for my bypass surgery...just waiting for my nicotine test to come back. I did quit smoking 6 weeks ago. This hurry up and wait is so frustrating. I do my best to keep a positive attitude about all this but at times I feel so discouraged.
Hi Nichole,
I feel your pain! I went through that as well. It's hard to stay positive but in my opinion, positivity is overrated during this stage of the process. In fact, I think this is a good time to let yourself grieve. After all, you're "breaking up" with your dear old best friend, where you didn't have to follow the rules and could eat anything you wanted. Of course, your life will change for the better, but think of it as if someone you loved passionately suddenly died, and you feel alone and lost.
There's nothing wrong with missing an unhealthy habit. You can only control your side of the relationship, but the sudden loss of this love is something you couldn't possibly prepare for. Even something as unhealthy as smoking has been an important part of your life. For me, smoking was how I relaxed in my very stressful life. It wasn't the nicotine I missed; it was the deeeeeeep draw of breath into my lungs that calmed me. I realized this and started practicing deep breathing with positive affirmations, meditating and sending love to myself, but it didn't help much.
I came up in the Sixties and The Byrds had a hit song, based on a Pete Seeger song, based on a Bible passage. I used to let this play through my head whenever I was going through changes. I'll include the lyrics below, and if you are interested, you can listen to the song,
"Turn Turn Turn," on YouTube. It might help you.
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
Welcome to the group and congratulations on your courage in undertaking this journey.
