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Smoking

Nana1222

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Nana1222    159

Nana1222
Posted

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

Sai
Posted (edited)

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 by Sai187

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sammy246    235

sammy246
Posted

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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Gordita81    98

Gordita81
Posted

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

Nana1222
Posted

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

sammy246
Posted

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

dvons
Posted

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.

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KristenLe    5,980

KristenLe
Posted

@@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!

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okiegirl1980    73

okiegirl1980
Posted

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.

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missvee    28

missvee
Posted

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

Gordita81
Posted

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

amyflores
Posted

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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Go To Topic Listing PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

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    • Doughgurl

      Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • LeighaTR

      LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

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