when do they test for Nicotine?

I assume Nicorette gum will show up on the blood test so I need to chew regular gum but don't really know how long it takes to be out of my system and I asked the receptionist WHEN do they test for it and she just said when you come for your first appointment for the physical they will tell you. So you go for a physical then meet surgeon then 3rd appt with surgeons coordinator for more tests and labs. Can someone just tell me at what appt do they test for it. Thanks

It is probably different depending on which group of bariatric teams you go to.

I quit smoking a long time prior to going for the journey to surgery so it was  not an issue for me.
this might have some answers as to how long  nicorette gum or nicoteen stays in the system.
you could try the new electric cigerett to help you quit too!

www.lungusa.org/assets/documents/program-pdfs/freedom-from-s moking-online-brochure.pdf

by the way my center never said anything about being tested for smoking!

I quit after 20 years using Chantix and it was so much less painful than using nicotine replacements.

Here is how I did it, Darci:  Eat as many chewable vitamin C through out the day as you can.  Then before going to bed, drink 4 oz. orange juice with cream of tartar in it.  They don't actually test the nictotine....the test a byproduct of nictotine that remains in your liver.  If you google it, you will learn more about it.  If you follow this and stay away from smokes, you should pass the blood test in about 10 days to 2 weeks.  From what I have researched, it depends on how your own body metabolizes and at what rate.   Bottom line, be prepared to have them test for it at any appointment. 
Hope this helps, Susan LRNY 11-3-2010

My surgeon never tested for it.

My friend had surgery at Henry Ford and they never tested her. She had surgery 1/4 and she told them that she had quit about a month before, but that she had hit a cigarette during the Christmas/ NY holiday.

Did they tell you why you need to quit smoking for the procedure?  It causes some major problems with erosions of the band into the stomach.  Ask your doc.  I went to a seminar and they talked about this.  My concern at the time is 1. I was smoking at the time.  2 I worked in a restaurant that allowed smoking and would 2nd hand smoke show up,
After the seminar the doctors answered questions and they told me no on the second hand smoke.
The quit smoke had to be my 1st priority.  My primary doc prescribed Chantix and it worked like a charm.  It is recommended for like 90 days, but I was good to go after 30.  Warning:  Side effects include wild vivid dreams! 
I went to the surgeons and they wanted six months of clear nicotine pee tests for go ahead on surgery.  They wrote me a scrip to go to a lab for the tests.  Each doctor is a little different as are the insurance companies so talk to both.  They should both give you a list of what the pre-req's are so you can work through the checklist.  Trust me when I say that there are plenty of hoops to jump through and can't be done overnight.  But then I didn't get this way overnight either, so sticking with it is the test!
Good luck with it...