Your Quit Plan includes several parts, which all work together to make the process easier and achievable.
First, there's something we have to say, and we're going to be blunt about it: We want you to quit. Our goal is for you to stop smoking or using tobacco before your procedure, and after. But we're also human -- some of us are former smokers -- and we understand how hard quitting can be. If you try your best and still can't quit entirely, at least promise us you'll cut way back. If you can significantly lessen your cigarette/tobacco use prior to (and following) surgery, you still may be able to lower some of the risk of complications.
Now let's get to it. Back to your Quit Plan…
Your Quit Plan will help you to:
- Identify the things in your life that are the most important to you and how quitting smoking/tobacco use relates to them.
- Track your cigarette/tobacco use for a short time, so that it's easy to see the patterns of when and why you smoke or use tobacco.
- Recognize -- and conquer -- your "triggers." Triggers are the activities or situations that your brain connects with smoking/tobacco that make you want to light up or chew.
- End old habits that make you want to smoke/use tobacco and learn new ones to take their place.
- Set a date to quit and provide resources to stay quit.
Quit Smoking Tools
- Make Your Quit Plan
- Get Motivated
- Track Your Cigarettes
- Deal with Your Triggers