While I never thought about smoking, I worked at the hospital maintenance shop one summer while in high school. The morgue was in the basement next to the maintenance shop and it was not unusual to see specimens from an autopsy.

The pathologist showed me the lungs of a person that had smoked and they looked like coal tar while the lungs of a non-smoker were pink. I will never forget his convincing presentation.

And bacon, well, lets say I ate my share long ago when camping outdoors but later learned it was better to do without. So Jeff, you have some hard choices to make and I can see hog futures starting to tank when the information gets out.

Good luck and forget about the surgery, you can do it.

By the way, Dr. Weil has a series on Healthy Aging: Your Online Guide to the Anti-Infammatory Diet:

http://www.drweilonhealthyagin...omo=HealthyMarch2017

You can also sign up for his emails on health, food, and recipes.

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Maggie and I wish you nothing but the best.

Good luck! Learn lots, and then apply it (I'm in for the bacon karma ).

You can do it!

Good luck Jeff!

quote:

Originally posted by Scooter123:
Jeff, as an ex smoker who quit after 37 years of the Cancer Sticks I have to tell you that the MOST DAMAGING thing you can do to your health is smoke. I know, they are just Cigars. Doesn't matter, it's still very very unhealthy. So just quit, in a few years you'll barely miss them and if the urge hits you just think about what they cost. BTW, when I quit my pack & 1/2 a day habit it effectively put 300 tax free dollars a month into my pocket.<snip>

Jeff,

Best of success to you at Duke. Yours is a journey that many of us on this forum have struggled with at some point in our lives. I often joke that once I reach my goal I am going to write a book titled, "Eat Less & Exercise More". (since that seems to be the most common advice I get).

While we can 'bust balls' on the forum from time-to-time, there is no other place online where the members will be equally supportive. We've all got your back.



In regards to Scooter123's post above, I agree 100%. In fact out of friendship, I am willing to rent a mini-moving truck and drive down to North Carolina to remove that stash of Cuban goodness err contraband and relieve you of that burden. Don't worry I will dispose of them smoke them. That is just the kind of guy I am!

Best, my friend,

John

Good luck Jeff. While I can't speak specifically to the program you're going to take, I can definitively say that Duke has a tremendous medical group. I have fortunately/unfortunately had a few surgeries there and have always had great care before, during, and after. Hope everything goes well for you.

Thanks John!

Jeff, my ex did the Duke fat farm when we were dating (she was like 22-23 at the time). She went for a month. Not obese really, just a heavier Sophia Loren Italian body type. Without Loren's tiny waist. I went down to Duke for a weekend after she was there for weeks. The results were amazing and we never got out of her motel room for 3 days.

Unfortunately she did not maintain the lifestyle changes of the farm. When we split 30 yrs later she could have been DL for the Steelers.

I am sure you will do better. It is a good program.

The best Jeff.

Good luck Jeff! You got this.