smoking

Hello I am new to this I will be having my surgery in jan I am so ready for my new life, I have been disabled since 2009 I am writing in regards to smoking i have been a smoker for a very long time. I know that i have to quit before my surgery I guess my question is what do they do for a nicotine test and do you have to be smoke free for a month before you have the test I have been told a few things i want to know from someone who is or was a smoker and had the surgery .

           Thanks 

Smoking cessation is not a hurdle they put out there to disqualify you, it's absolutely necessary to do so to make you safer on the operating table and to help you heal afterwards.   Most surgeons will absolutely postpone your surgery if you do not pass the test - and rightly so!

Don't try and buck the system, get a plan to stop together today and then by the time it comes around, you will pass the nicotine test with flying colours.

This surgery is a major life change for your health, and giving up smoking is a small but very necessary part of it.

Good luck!

I know you deactivated by hopefully you come back to read to see if you get responses. Discuss it with your surgeon each one is different. I was allowed to use the patch up until 7 days prior to surgery. The test for nicotine obviously came back positive but he knew I was on the patch and where I was at with it. I just couldn't have anything patch, gum, cigarette for the week leading up to surgery or it would be cancelled. Each surgeon will have a different rule and you need to check with yours.