If I quit smoking now, how long will it take for my urine test to be clear of nicotine?

Hi Anonymous

According to a website that tests for continine, the metabolite of nicotine, it remains in your body for up to 17 hours. http://www.craigmedical.com/nicotine.htm. But another site says it can take 7-10 days. http://www.fbr.org/publications/pamphlets/cotinine.html. I found two other links, one saying 72 hours, and one several weeks. Discovery Health says a day or two: http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/drugs-alcohol/nicotine2.htm.

This is really confusing, but in your case you have six weeks, so even if the longer time periods are right you should be fine. The nicotine is out of your body much faster, but the conitine, which is a metabolite of nicotine, meaning what your body turns nicotine into, is longer.

Congrats on quitting. Your fusion will heal faster and better if you are not smoking. Smoking, as I'm sure your surgeon has told you, is really bad for your back. Many surgeons will not do a fusion on a smoker for that very reason. It reduces blood flow, among other things.

Thank you for writing and good luck with quitting and with the fusion.