Smoking

[Nana1222 159]

At what stage is nicotine tested? I am a smoker and plan to quit like yesterday. I know how bad it is and the problems it can cause with surgery so I am working on quitting now. I will meet with my surgeon next month for the first time and probably won't have the sleeve until Dec or Jan. When is it tested?

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[Sai 785]

At what stage is nicotine tested? I am a smoker and plan to quit like yesterday. I know how bad it is and the problems it can cause with surgery so I am working on quitting now. I will meet with my surgeon next month for the first time and probably won't have the sleeve until Dec or Jan. When is it tested?

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I was tested at the very end, at the pre-op blood, urine work and chest x-ray stage. For me, the pre-op appointment had to be within 3 weeks of the surgery date.

Edited September 8, 2016 by Sai187

[sammy246 235]

Hi nana. With my program they test when you get your initial labs done, and again right before (or the day of) surgery. I had to quit as part of this process and have been smoke free for a month. It is so worth it!!! I started Wellbutrin to help me quit and just had to stop taking it because it made me break out in hives- do not let this deter you because it really did help me. The sooner you can kick it, the better! Feel free to ask me anything, this was the hardest thing I've ever done and I could not be happier even if they don't approve my surgery. I feel so much better and know I have way less risk of complications!

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[KristenLe 5,979]

@@Nana1222 I was tested at my initial blood work and will be again during pre-op testing. Some insurances require you to be nicotine free for 6 months - some surgeons require 3 or more.

[Gordita81 98]

I was also initially tested as part of my initial labs. My surgeon requires 2 months nicotine free so I quit in July (as soon as I found out my surgery was approved). I believe he will test again either day before or day of.

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[Nana1222 159]

Thank you all. Are initials labs done at the surgeons office? I have three left and will not buy anymore. Sadly I quit for three years had a death in the family and had one and that's all she wrote.

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[sammy246 235]

Mine could be scheduled though the clinic there, or at my primary with results sent to the center. You can do this!!!!!

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[Nana1222 159]

I'm hoping if I quit tonight it won't show at all I see her on Sept 27 so 20 days keeping my fingers crossed I'm done won't be easy but know I have to do this for many reasons.

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[sammy246 235]

Is that your initial appointment? They did not take blood or do any testing in any of my initial appointments. It was more informational with a dr. And Nut. Just make sure you don't want it showing for the right reasons- you want to be at least smoke free for 3 months. This is the one thing I personally would not mess around with because it's so detrimental in a surgery like this. That said, I've read it can be 3weeks or so before you test clear.

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[dvons 63]

Every day smoker, 1 pack a day, and it took about 11 days not smoking to clear the urine test. The doctors understand how hard it is, and are patient on you to pass it.

[KristenLe 5,979]

@@Nana1222 Be sure to tell them you are a smoker (or hopefully by then you "were" a smoker). They usually know anyway - so be sure to be honest. Depending on your insurance requirements and surgeon requirements - you may have to be routinely tested to ensure you remain nicotine free for a period of time. I was tested during my blood work/urine testing (3 months after my first consult) and I am not a smoker. Good luck with quitting - I know how difficult it is and wish you all the best!

[okiegirl1980 73]

It was part of my initial labs but I told them I wouldn't pass. When I realized the seriousness of needing to quit. I did and they wrote me a separate lab for that test after I was six weeks not smoking. Some insurance's wont cover it over and over if you don't pass so you may want to make sure you are six weeks out before having that one. I quit cold turkey. You got this.

[missvee 28]

It was part of my initial labs but I told them I wouldn't pass. When I realized the seriousness of needing to quit. I did and they wrote me a separate lab for that test after I was six weeks not smoking. Some insurance's wont cover it over and over if you don't pass so you may want to make sure you are six weeks out before having that one. I quit cold turkey. You got this.

How do they test it? With blood or urine?

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[Gordita81 98]

It was part of my initial labs but I told them I wouldn't pass. When I realized the seriousness of needing to quit. I did and they wrote me a separate lab for that test after I was six weeks not smoking. Some insurance's wont cover it over and over if you don't pass so you may want to make sure you are six weeks out before having that one. I quit cold turkey. You got this.

How do they test it? With blood or urine?

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My surgeon does a urine test. I believe most others do as well.

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[amyflores 23]

My surgeon isn't really concerned about nicotine he told me to fine a nicotine replacement in ecig or gum but I had my urine test yesterday he tested for tobacco (anabasine I had to google it) fingers crossed. I know I haven't smoked tobacco sine may 22nd but second hand smoke IS EVERYWHERE

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