Hi there, I spoke to my insurance and I feel like I knew all of the qualifications except for being smoke-free for 6 months prior to the surgery, I have BCBS FEP, I can quit today, I really only smoke in the evening with my husband so the smell of him smoking doesn't bother me. Prior to that it was a serious contention in our marriage. We'll figure out what we'll do... but how do I prove that I quit? Do I need to join smoking cessation program? The doctors office knows I have about 1 cigarette a day.

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Edited January 12, 20179 yr by Keenikwe

Your surgeon's office should be able to answer this question. I'm sure they have dealt with it in the past.

A lot of them do a blood test to test for the presence of nicotine in your system. If so, they may cancel the surgery.

They can actually (and some do) do a lab test to check the amount of nicotine in your system. Obviously if you have a smoker in the house it will be positive but not at the level it would be if you were smoking.

Okay, that's good to know. My husband doesn't smoke in the house, but he is willing to keep it as far away as possible. I'm actually encouraging him to quit, but that's up to him entirely. I know he's trying. He bought the gum last week...

I talked with my husband and since my insurance requires 6 months... I figure we have to document that somehow so I made an appointment with my primary. I figure if she can monitor it and I can go back in each month or every other month to document that I haven't smoked...? Too much?

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My surgeon requires that I'm smoke free for 60 days prior to surgery. Hoping for my surgery date on 3/6 when I see him.

I was a pack a day smoker up until New Years. Until Monday, I only had 2 packs that lasted me from New Year and today have now been over 72 hours smoke free!!! Can't say it has been easy, but I want my surgery more than the cigarettes. My surgeon did all my labs in November when I was smoking and will also do labs right before surgery. If I smoke surgery cancelled. I must say I am vaping but 0 Nicotine. It has definitely helped me get through these last few days. Good Luck

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I've now been smoke-free since that information came to light. It's from my insurance company so I want to make sure I document it properly so I don't get denied.

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