My doctor never mentioned that they will test for nicotine or cotinine. Is it routinely done in your pre-op blood work. My pre-op work up is Tuesday and my surgery is March 13th. I just stopped smoking Friday. I know.... bad but it has been such a stressful month. So I guess my question is what do they normally test you for in your pro-op work up?

I don't think they would test you for it? I enjoy smoking as well it has been a struggle but I am doing better...all I know about the smoking is that nicotine itself does not let your connective tissue grow back as fast as it should...so you might have an issue with the healing process. ..or n this case a not healing process...I hope this helped a little

Thank you. I have quit but it's only been since Friday and I don't plan on having another one hopefully ever again. I'm just wondering if they will test me and cancel my surgery if I don't pass because it will only of been a few days since my last cigarette when I go for my pre-op.

From what I read it should be out of your system in 4 days...

So, my doc requires a clean screen to even start the process. Im sure I will be tested again pre op. I have heard some docs will cancel as it increases risk of surgery and healing. That being said, how fast its out of your system depends on you...age..metabolism..how much you smoked. It coyld be as little as 3-5...or as long as 2 weeks to a month. I had a urine test...drank a lot of water, took niacin and cranberry tablets, and did not smoke for 16 days and was clean. I was a light smoker and was probably clean eaflier than 16 days but I did t want to risk a dirty test as it would have delayed me another 30 days.

Good luck!!

My Dr. Would send you home. He told me it would show after 3 weeks. I can't imagine going thru this AND quitting smoking at the same time....perhaps you should wait???

My program requires two months nic free. I am being tested at the end of the month and quit cold turkey on Thursday morning. I wish I had quit sooner as the fear of quitting was so much worse than the actual quitting!
Please let me know if you tested clean. I'm nervous too. I couldn't be happier about quitting! Life changing!


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Not only does it impede the healing process, it can also add to the risk of blood clots. I think I am more afraid of blood clots and leaks than I am anything else. I've been smoking a pack a day for a long time. My doctor told me to quit and I just did. It really does get easier. I figured if I can't quit smoking FINALLY then how am I going to be able to make the lifestyle changes I need to make. I'm a month with no ciggies (of course I'm eating everything in sight). When I think about smoking now I think about how much money I'm saving. $8.00 bucks a pack where I live, that is $240 per month - that's a car payment!!!!! Plus, my hair and clothes don't smell and I will hopefully have an easy recovery, no stroke, no clots, no healing issues and money to buy new clothes!!!!

Good luck all!

My Dr. Would send you home. He told me it would show after 3 weeks. I can't imagine going thru this AND quitting smoking at the same time....perhaps you should wait???

I have waited far too long to be healthy...I would much rather stop smoking than live life how I am now...it's definitely tough! But it's just another thing I HAVE to do to...I mean...I don't want to go on a liquid diet either but I'm not going to let that stand in my way...I will do everything I have to do because the end result is much more important [emoji2]