Niccotine Test

I think that's a great idea. I'm going to tell him. I don't know for sure that I will be tested. I was just assuming I would be because I didn't want to quit at first. When I was talking to the coordinator, she said she made a note of it so that I would be tested. (The ____! LOL) But I understand it's for my own good and their protection as well. The doctor that did my seminar said that some surgeons test and others don't. He doesn't. I'm not sure about my doc but I will ask. Then again, I was thinking if I asked it might look suspicious and make them more inclined to test. It also doesn't help that all my friends/family that had RNY smoke like chimneys and display all other types of bad behaviors without the slightest complication. I know it would be just my luck that every possible thing that could go wrong would as soon as I tried it.

 H.a.l.a, I think I am thinking of the same woman you mentioned.  I think she just eventually gave up on surgery, but you are right, she had the victim mentality. She also lived in a home with a smoker or smokers including her mother If I am thinking correctly.

To the original poster, stopping smoking is difficult but right now you can't even afford to slip  or even after surgery for that matter.  One of our posters, Ron, once posted about bariatric surgery, ( how bad do you want it?) when it pertained to being successful on this journey.  You may want to research all you can about nicotine staying in the system.    Jane

Jane.. I was thinking about someone I knew IRL.. Very toxic person... I knew her a very short time.. Someone introduced us because she wanted the RNY and wanted to talk to someone, she wanted support.... . I met her a couple of times.. last time I talked to her on a phone she was really upset about failing the test.. she was really upset at the doc for refusing her as a patient..  I felt bad for her, but not enough to be around her negativity and her attitude.. 

I do remember the other lady from OH.. I do recall her posting.. but I did not interact with her.. . 

H.a.l.a. I glad you remember!   She complained about no one wanted to go outside and refused to do so.  I met a lady at my bariatric classes and had our surgery a month a part.  Our friendship quickly dissolved after getting to know her and was toxic because she was bringing over food I could not eat and yet she was eating all the time right out the gate.  Negativity is a good enough reason to move on which I did.  A shame but alot of things change throughout the journey.   Jane

I think mine was done at my pre op appointment, a few days before surgery.  I don't know if your doc will still operate if you've only had one cigarette or not.  You could call the office and ask.

I'm going to see the surgeon on the 29th for my 2nd of 3 medical weight loss appointments. I'll ask him then. In our seminar, they said 2 months and when I met with the nurse practitioner, she said 1 month. Regardless, I have to be completely smoke free anyway afterward so I probably shouldn't even concern myself with it and just schedule a date 2 months out erring on the side of caution. This process is so long and stressful, it makes me want to smoke. UGH!

One cigarette probably won't be that terrible but tell your surgeon and or the anesthesiologist the morning of surgery. If you've smoked recently it will make a difference in how much aneshesia you're given and at what rate. Tell your doc you slipped up a week/month/day ago and had one. Let them know. It may not stop the surgery but it will make a difference in your recovery if you don't tell them.

And congrats on quitting - it's the hardest thing you'll ever do but you're on the way. don't slip up again - it's so worth it.

jen 11+ yrs postop RNY

I had to take this as well, actually twice. I only had to do this a second time because the lab screwed up and tested the urine for something other than the cotinine. I was told that the cotinine for the most part is out of your system in 4-5 days, so you should be good. I had to take my test about 1 month before surgery.

Good Luck in your Journey! :)