Nicotine and Cotinine Testing Day of Surgery

[MelissaWI 31]

Hello,

I am one who has a dr who does not agree with smoking... I have surgery on monday and that will be my 3 weeks quit day also. Can someone tell me how long cotinine stays in your blood? Will I test positive? I smoked half a pack to a pack a day for many yrs. I'm like starting to freak out! I read tons of websites and keep finding different answers to the question. So I don't know what one is true... some say 4 days some say a week some say 2 weeks some say 20 days some say a month some say many months.. So which is it? If you used to smoke how long were u smoke free before you got tested for surgery? And what were the results?

[Rachel412 116]

Wow... I've never heard of nicotine testing before surgery! Clearly I am of no help

[MelissaWI 31]

yeah It's crazy if you ask me, I mean I think as long as I quit he shouldn't care how long it has been... That in itself was a big step... But some peoples children I tell ya... I have had enough surgery's while smoking and did fine.. But... I really want to live a healthy lifestyle now.. So I did it.... But I hope they don't cancel me. I will be upset...

[TracieR 88]

I quit 2 weeks before (no cheating at all) and had a carboxyhemoglobin test during my preop testing. I was super nervous and also found all different answers when researching the test. My results came back fine. I had smoked a pack a day for many years. Hope that helps and good luck!

[MelissaWI 31]

I never heard of that test actually. I did have just a normal hemoglobin test done at my pre op with my primary doctor. My results were normal. I did do some reading saying that smokers usually have higher hemoglobin readings also.... I was 2 weeks nicotine free at the time of my pre op... I didn't realize they could tell just by your hemoglobin.. good thing I had quit smoking 2 weeks before my pre op then..

[AquarianCrab 8]

Since I wasn't smoking a lot (only 4-5 a day), my doctor told me not to worry about it. I've never heard of a hospital testing for smoking, and my sister who works in the lab at the hospital said it isn't done unless a doctor specifically asks for it - it's not a routine test for surgery. I smoked 2 cigarettes the morning of my surgery and another on the way home. Even the psych doc told me to handle one major life change at a time and that I would probably get through the surgery better if I quit later after I was healed.

[MaineJackie 3]

Hemoglobin and carboxy-hemoglobin are two totally different things.....your carboxy will be off if you are a smoker.

I had to do the urine test for my health insurance. I have never smoked so it wasn't an issue for me. Good luck.

[bluekerry 3]

I understand why your Dr. objects to your smoking, I'm an RN and see the complications. At the same time, I object to the method of taking a blood test before surgery. Seems like he is micro- managing your life. What is to prevent you from leaving the surgery center and lighting up? If your pulmonary function test was in normal limits, it should not go beyond that.

I agree, one major life change at a time.

Maybe you should consult a different Dr.? There are many out there.

[Jodi_620 37]

Hello,

I am one who has a dr who does not agree with smoking... I have surgery on monday and that will be my 3 weeks quit day also. Can someone tell me how long cotinine stays in your blood? Will I test positive? I smoked half a pack to a pack a day for many yrs. I'm like starting to freak out! I read tons of websites and keep finding different answers to the question. So I don't know what one is true... some say 4 days some say a week some say 2 weeks some say 20 days some say a month some say many months.. So which is it? If you used to smoke how long were u smoke free before you got tested for surgery? And what were the results?

I wasn't required to quit prior to surgery. How long it takes to clear from your system varies a bit depending on how much and how long you have smoked. And the type of test differs too. If they are doing a urine test, you would test clear of nicotine in 3-5 days being smoke-free. If they are doing a blood test, it could still show in your blood a month or more after quitting.

I think urine tests are typical in this situation but a blood test is possible.

[Candyland86 24]

Hello, I am one who has a dr who does not agree with smoking... I have surgery on monday and that will be my 3 weeks quit day also. Can someone tell me how long cotinine stays in your blood? Will I test positive? I smoked half a pack to a pack a day for many yrs. I'm like starting to freak out! I read tons of websites and keep finding different answers to the question. So I don't know what one is true... some say 4 days some say a week some say 2 weeks some say 20 days some say a month some say many months.. So which is it? If you used to smoke how long were u smoke free before you got tested for surgery? And what were the results?

just wondering if you had a blood test and did you pass?