First off, I can't tell you how excited I am for my RNY Gastric Bypass Surgery. It is scheduled for Tuesday, August 27th. After reading many of your posts, I too have had to jump through a lot of hoops. It will be worth it in the long run. My biggest obstacle was stopping or quitting chewing tobacco before they would do surgery. Having to quit delayed my surgery by 3 months. The frustrating part was when I went for my first Nicotine blood test two weeks from my quit date, my test came back positive. I was shocked, upset, and frustrated all in one. When the nurse called to tell me the bad news, I was very upset and I asked her how it could be positive when I swear I didn't touch the stuff, so she ordered a new nicotine blood test and I went and took it. Thank GOD, it was negative. After the first Negative test the Doctor would schedule surgery, but I needed to go back and get another blood test to check my nicotine levels eight weeks from quit date, do I did that this morning and will find out mid-week next week if it is positive or negative. I have not touched the stuff for eight plus weeks, so it should be negative. But because of that first positive test, I am SO nervous about the blood test, because if it is positive I have to start all over. When I talked to the doctor at my last PRE-OPT Appointment, he said we are a solid go for surgery unless my test was positive for nicotine. Has anyone had to undergo nicotine blood tests along with their surgeries, did anyone have similar stories? Could anyone possibly tell me how my first test was positive although I did not touch any tobacco for two weeks? I'm so excited for the change in life style and crossing fingers that my test is negative.

Thanks a Bunch!

Ryan

Nicotine stays in the blood longer than in urine. Those that dip will have it in their system longer than smokers. Those that smoke menthol will have it in their system longer also.

I've been looking at this also because I had to quit smoking for my surgery. I haven't had a full cig in over a month and had to take my nicotine test the other day. I was super nervous for it since I had had a couple of drags since "quitting". They asked me if I wanted to blood or urine and I quickly said urine! I haven't been so excited to pee in a cup! I'm still waiting on the results.

I'm not a smoker so I have no personal experience with the tests. I was told by my doctor that smokers need to quit before surgery. They get tested for nicotine just before surgery. A positive result will cause the doctor to cancel and push the surgery out three months. Smoker's have a high risk of deadly blood clots, which is already a serious surgical risk. They take it VERY seriously. If you're not willing to quit you can't have the surgery.