I smoke and I have to stop smoking before I can get the surgery. does anyone out there now how long I have to stop for so will get a good blood test back? Please help me!!

I don't know that there is a blood test for nicotine. You have to be stopped well enough for the surgeon to be confident that you will stay quit after you have the band. Smoking and the band are not compatible. But as far as a blood test, I don't think there is one. Its a lifestyle change that he has to be convinced you have permanently made.

If there is a blood test, it would be a month or more, I am pretty sure. That is how long marijuana can be detected in the blood stream anyway...

Hi there, you were told to stop smoking first?? OMG!! I never thought of that, I have not started the process yet and did not know of any smoking -vs- lapband issues! I don't kow about giving up food AND smoking! (someone shoot me) When I HAVE tried to quit the patches work great for me, they cut out the cravings almost 100 %, but you have to WANT to quit for it to work. Good luck to you!! Kim

gentylwind - what do you mean the lap band and smoking aren't compatible? My surgeon didn't say anything to me about it and I'm being banded on Monday. I'm not smoking between now and the surgery but don't feel too positive about being able to give up at the moment.

Yes there is a blood test, and Dr.Follwell statd he has sent many hoe the day of surgery because it comes back bad, and he also said second hand smoke can cause it to go bad as well. I just need to know how long a person has t stop smoking so the test will come back ok

I smoke and I have to stop smoking before I can get the surgery. does anyone out there now how long I have to stop for so will get a good blood test back? Please help me!!

Yes they can test for nicotin in your system, I had a breast reduction last march and my surgeon did test for it, It takes about 72 hrs to get out of your system. Although my lapband surgeon did not test for it and I smoked the morning of surgery and the day after (not recamended sp?) If your Doc. does test it could cause your surgery to be postponed.

I smoke and I have to stop smoking before I can get the surgery. does anyone out there now how long I have to stop for so will get a good blood test back? Please help me!!

Yes, there are blood and urine tests and it can take up to 72 hours to clear your system. A lot of insurance companies (for life insurance) perform these tests. Here is an article regarding it.

Life Insurance Rates for Smokers | Insurance.com

thank you so much for th information~~

Thank you for your information. I am so happy to know. I can stop for a month or so, but I seem to always pick them back up. I have heard that once a person has the weight loss surgery they no longer want t smoke. Was tha true with you?

I was not ordered to quit smoking before surgery, it depends on the doctor. I don't think it has so much to do with the band directly as it does with adding complications to the surgery and healing. I smoked about a pack a day right up until the night before surgery. I didn't have any complications.

But with my hiatal hernia surgery I did manage to quit smoking. My diapragm was so weak, for four or five days it was impossible for me to draw in cigarette smoke. To answer your question bethw66, it takes 3-5 days of not smoking to get the nicotene out of your system. Which is why I decided that since I hadn't smoked for five days I was half way there and I would be a fool to start back when I was clear of the chemical addiction. The physical/mental addiction takes a bit longer. They say it takes three weeks to get through that and I guess that is about right. After about a month I rarely even thought about cigarettes. It was hard but it was soooo worth it!!!! My DH keeps saying that was the best part of the surgery.

Edited December 9, 200817 yr by Jodi_620

my dr told me he wouldnt do bypass unless the smoker had quit, he said the band wasnt an issue, it was with the bypass that could cause ulcers in the stomach. But I dont know how long it takes for it to leave ur system, I would do a google search.