nicotine testing

Hi, I am approved for the lapband surgery. Hopefully it will be in April. Does anyone know about this whole nicotine testing thing. I had to quit smoking for this surgery. That hasn't been easy. I've been dealing with alot of stress from my insurance company who took 7 weeks to decide if I was approved or not, then I was told I need to pass a nicotine test so I had to quit, talk about stress, I haven't even had time to think about my life changes after the surgery. Does anyone know about the testing? And is it true that they won't do the surgery if you smoke?Even if you have been approved?

Hi, I am not sure for your surgeon, however when I went through this process in the past I had to quit before they would even submit my paperwork and then the Dr. refused to do surgery if you started smoking again. I never found out if that was true because I was not approved because of lack of info and then my doc moved out of town...but I have heard that some are very strict about it.... Sorry no definate answer but that is what I know... As far as the testing appearantly they can tell if you have smoked in over two weeks according to my life insurance company lab. I called a lab and asked about it said I was doing a science fair project and that is what they told me... I was hard core smoker and still miss it after 10 months...so I wanted to smoke till the last minute and needed the details...sorry this is vague and rambling.... colleen

When I went for my preop testing, nicotine was one of the things my bloodwork was checked for--This is for your own good-Smoking increases the likely hood of postoperative infections and pneumonia, as well as slows down the healing process. Smokers are also at an increased risk of blood clots...After all, this surgery is to improve health, and we all know smoking doesn't do that....The lab tech who did my bloodwork compared it to an alcoholic wanting a new liver...I understand about you being under stress, but this surgery in itself is stressful, and part of being compliant long term is to deal with the situations that cause stress in a positive way...Maybe your PHP can help you with some stop smoking options...

Not to be the bearer of bad news but you should quit. Take it a minute at a time. Try the patches that is what I did. You have to keep thinking if it will better your chances of no problems during or after surgery it is worth it. Right. Every time i would want a cig I would think to myself that one cig could cause me to die during or after surgery. Yes, I know it probably wouldn't have but I had to do something to convince myself. That was the best thing I could think of. Good luck Brenda

You sound really frustrated...I know the feeling. I actually quit smoking cold turkey in December of 2005 with the help of www.whyquit.com. Go there and read. The nicotine seriously hinders your healing and the smoking makes it really hard for the anesthesiologist to keep you breathing because of the gunk in your lungs. Some insurance companies will not approve you at all if you smoke, almost 100% of surgeons refuse to do the surgery on a smoker. It IS that serious. You'll be stressed out whether you're smoking or not...you'll find your nerves actually calm down a lot after going 72 hours without nicotine. (Don't know if you've been using a patch or gum or are still smoking...) Best to you! -Karen