How long for nicotine/cotinine results?

[insta_adventurer 1,046]

So my surgery is Tuesday, July 17th and I did my pre-op testing yesterday, July 11th.

However- this morning I received a call from my surgeons office that there was a mixup and my nicotine level test was never ordered and I needed to come to the office today to provide a urine sample, because they take a few days to get back.

Anyone have any experience with this situation? It’s a bit frustrating, because had I been tested at pre-op testing, they probably would have the results already... but now I’ve gotta wait and hope the surgery isn’t delayed.

[Matt Z 4,139]

For urine testing, nicotine can be testable for 3-4 days typically. I'm seeing some research say it's testable for upwards of 20... You can speed that up with lots of Water and exercise.

[insta_adventurer 1,046]

On 07/12/2018 at 15:24, Matt Z said:

For urine testing, nicotine can be testable for 3-4 days typically. I'm seeing some research say it's testable for upwards of 20... You can speed that up with lots of Water and exercise.

Thank you for this info, but perhaps my question wasn’t quite clear. I’m not worried about what the result will be, as I’m nearly certain it will be negative.

I am worried that my surgery will be delayed because the results won’t arrive in time and am wondering how long it has taken others to get their results from this test...

Hopefully that clarifies it a bit.

[Creekimp13 5,840]

Test results should be very fast. Easy to do in-house with a test kit. Should not delay your surgery.

[insta_adventurer 1,046]

On 07/12/2018 at 21:33, Creekimp13 said:

Test results should be very fast. Easy to do in-house with a test kit. Should not delay your surgery.

Thank you! I was hoping that would be the case. 😊

[Matt Z 4,139]

10 hours ago, insta_adventurer said:

Thank you for this info, but perhaps my question wasn’t quite clear. I’m not worried about what the result will be, as I’m nearly certain it will be negative.

I am worried that my surgery will be delayed because the results won’t arrive in time and am wondering how long it has taken others to get their results from this test...

Hopefully that clarifies it a bit.

Gottcha, I wouldn't stress. If they didn't already tell you that the missing test was going to delay your surgery, odds are it's not going to delay your surgery, ESP if you don't smoke.

[insta_adventurer 1,046]

Wohoo! I see the results in my patient portal and I have tested negative!

That was my last hurdle!

I used to smoke, but quit just over six months ago with the help of e-cigs. However, my surgeon said ixnay on any nicotine products- so I had to go nicotine-free a month or so ago. While I was pretty sure I’d be okay, cause I didn’t cheat at all, there are so many mixed messages about how long it stays in the system that I was a little nervous!