smoker questions...

[RobertD16 47]

Well I completed all my requirements, 3 month diet, clearances, psy evaluation and got my insurance approval and surgery is scheduled june 3rd...the problem is my surgeon wants me smoke free for 60 days before surgery...My last cigarette was april 15...I do not know if they have ways to tell or not...I told them I was smoke free as of march 31st...Is there a way they can tell exactly how long its been?

[kmorri 1,689]

I know they can test for nicotine but I have no idea how long it is in your system......congrats on kicking it!!! I quit 9 years ago and have never looked back!

A quick Google search can probably provide that answer for you. Good luck!!

Edited May 12, 2016 by kmorri

[daniotra 298]

My program will do a random test to see if you've been using nicotine.

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[kmorri 1,689]

My program will do a random test to see if you've been using nicotine.

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Mine does too.

[Dub 9,922]

My surgeon tests patients right up until the surgery.

Any in your system is grounds for cancelling the surgery.

[Stellastar85 2]

I was never told to be smoke free for 60 days prior to surgery but I think that was probably given to help individuals to ween off cigarettes during that time. It was also stated to me that if I were to continue to smoke just stop a day or two before surgery.

[Read2016 658]

@stellastar85... I like what your saying about this... I read in the info pack from my surgeon it's 6 weeks smoke free....

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[carol1019 11]

Smoking has an effect on the healing process

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[RobertD16 47]

I was never told to be smoke free for 60 days prior to surgery but I think that was probably given to help individuals to ween off cigarettes during that time. It was also stated to me that if I were to continue to smoke just stop a day or two before surgery.

When I first started the process I was told 35 days smoke free for bypass...he told me he changed it because people were still smoking and having problems, I wanted the bypass he told he changed it to 1 year smoke free for bypass patients...60 days for sleeve so I of course opted for the sleeve.

I was never told to be smoke free for 60 days prior to surgery but I think that was probably given to help individuals to ween off cigarettes during that time. It was also stated to me that if I were to continue to smoke just stop a day or two before surgery.

When I first started the process I was told 35 days smoke free for bypass...he told me he changed it because people were still smoking and having problems, I wanted the bypass he told he changed it to 1 year smoke free for bypass patients...60 days for sleeve so I of course opted for the sleeve.

[Read2016 658]

Yes I agree it effects the healing... Quitting is the way to go but so much change at once... In reality smokers get surgery all the time, this is a planned surgery. An unplanned surgery would not allow time to quit... Yes I know I need to quit, been cutting back.

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[samira05 11]

Well I completed all my requirements, 3 month diet, clearances, psy evaluation and got my insurance approval and surgery is scheduled june 3rd...the problem is my surgeon wants me smoke free for 60 days before surgery...My last cigarette was april 15...I do not know if they have ways to tell or not...I told them I was smoke free as of march 31st...Is there a way they can tell exactly how long its been?

I smoked most of my life when I was 3 month in they told me I had to stop . When I told them I stopped they drug tested me for the next 4 months randomly. Once you get over the first two weeks. It does get better believe I know it does.

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[FrankyG 1,450]

You should be fine as long as you're not doing other nicotine - vaping or patches/gum. That give you a quit date of around 2 months out from your surgery.

Nicotine metabolizes into cotinine. Nicotine can be detected in your saliva, urine and breath (moisture molecules) for up to 3 days after quitting; cotinine can be detected in blood/urine for up to 3-4 weeks. If they do a hair strand test, that can detect back months. But most tests are going to be either blood or urine. And yes, vaping or nicotine patches/gum will count.

Quitting months out from surgery mean much better blood flow, vascular health, healing is faster, and less chance of developing blood clots and lung conditions.

[RobertD16 47]

Well I completed all my requirements, 3 month diet, clearances, psy evaluation and got my insurance approval and surgery is scheduled june 3rd...the problem is my surgeon wants me smoke free for 60 days before surgery...My last cigarette was april 15...I do not know if they have ways to tell or not...I told them I was smoke free as of march 31st...Is there a way they can tell exactly how long its been?

I smoked most of my life when I was 3 month in they told me I had to stop . When I told them I stopped they drug tested me for the next 4 months randomly. Once you get over the first two weeks. It does get better believe I know it does.

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They drug test you for surgery?

[saphfyre14 97]

Well I completed all my requirements, 3 month diet, clearances, psy evaluation and got my insurance approval and surgery is scheduled june 3rd...the problem is my surgeon wants me smoke free for 60 days before surgery...My last cigarette was april 15...I do not know if they have ways to tell or not...I told them I was smoke free as of march 31st...Is there a way they can tell exactly how long its been?

They can do a nicotine test. But that test will only show nicotine in your blood for the last 12 weeks

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[samira05 11]

Well I completed all my requirements, 3 month diet, clearances, psy evaluation and got my insurance approval and surgery is scheduled june 3rd...the problem is my surgeon wants me smoke free for 60 days before surgery...My last cigarette was april 15...I do not know if they have ways to tell or not...I told them I was smoke free as of march 31st...Is there a way they can tell exactly how long its been?

I smoked most of my life when I was 3 month in they told me I had to stop . When I told them I stopped they drug tested me for the next 4 months randomly. Once you get over the first two weeks. It does get better believe I know it does.

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They drug test you for surgery?

I'm not sure I just went for pre-surgery testing today. My surgery is May 25th. They took 4 tubes of blood. I think they probably would but I'm not worried I am smoke free for 6 months.

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