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Weight Gain After Quitting Smoking

asked 3 years ago by anon
Latest answer by Hratch Karamanoukian, MD
Question viewed 2,139 times
Tags: weight loss, weight

I quit smoking about a year ago, and my weight has steadily increased since. I have put on about 10-15 lbs, and I don't know what to do to stop the weight gain and get back down to my previous size.

Why all the weight gain? I eat healthier and exercise more than when I smoked (because I can actually breathe now). What can I do to get my weight under control without resorting to smoking again?

2 answers to Weight Gain After Quitting Smoking

+3

Smoking Cessation and Weight Gain - Reduce your caloric intake and chew a nicotine gum

Cigarette smoking is probably the most important preventable cause of death in the United States. Weight gain is a common reason for not trying to quit smoking. Weight change after smoking cessation appears to be influenced by some genetic factors. The mechanism of weight gain after smoking cessation includes increased food intake, decreased resting metabolic rate and less physical activity. Nicotine containing gum products appear to delay weight gain following smoking cessation.... more
Hratch Karamanoukian, MD

Buffalo General Surgeon
+3

Smoking is not the answer

Maramayi, It is amazing to me that people sometimes resort to smoking for weight loss. It is true that smoking increases your metabolism and also satisfies an unconscious oral habit. It is also true that when someone quits smoking they generally gain a few pounds. This can be attributed to a temporary decrease in metabolism down to baseline, food now tasting better, and an urge to satisfy your previous oral habit (smoking) with snacking. The dangers of smoking are too long to list here,... more
David Shafer, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

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