I started smoking when I was a junior in college. At the beginning I wouldn’t buy my own pack … I just bummed from whoever was smoking around me. Bumming eventually lead to buying a pack a week at age 23 to a pack a day at age 35. When I went and saw Leslie in September of 2014, I was wanting a cigarette (some days) every 15 minutes. This, I knew, was becoming a serious problem.
Since my early 20’s, I really tried quitting about 3 times. I tried the e-cig, patch, and quitting cold turkey. I made up my mind that the procedure Leslie was doing was gonna be my last resort. If it didn’t work for me, I was just gonna stop fighting the battle …
I am so proud to say that I have not smoked in the past 8 months. The craziest part is: I can’t even stand to be around cigarettes at all anymore. I truly can’t believe that I smoked as long as I did considering how I feel about them now. After leaving Leslie’s office on day one, NOTHING made me want to light a cigarette. Yes, I did and sometimes still do, have to fight back the urge of actually wanting to hold that cigarette while at social events but NOTHING makes me want to light it. I am sure, eventually, that thought will go away, too.
My only regret is that I didn’t quit sooner. Leslie and the procedure she is doing has changed my life forever. I cannot believe how much better I feel!
Thank you, Leslie!
Jennifer Oakley,
Raleigh, NC