Question:
IS THERE MEDICATION THAT YOU TAKE AFTER SURGERY AT HOME TO PREVENT BLOOD CLOTS
I think my biggest concerns are blood clots as they can be fatal embolisms in lungs or legs I think Iam worried more about that then anything and also what are the symtoms of a clot what things should you pay close attention to before and after surgery — MEKA33311 (posted on November 19, 2003)
November 19, 2003
Hi Tamika, There are many things they do to prevent blood clots for your
surgery. Amongst them are, wearing TED hose or some type of device that
would help your blood flow to your extremities. Yes, I had to give myself
injections at home to prevent blood clots. The symptoms that come to mind
concerning clots are pain and swelling to the affected area. When I had my
surgery, and was moved from recovery, the nurses encouraged me to get out
of bed, and move around as tolerated. They also had a spirometer(sp?) that
you would have to inhale deepy which would help get the air flowing. Just
do as the Dr. and nurses say and you should be okay. God Bless you on your
journey. :)
— Myrna E.
November 19, 2003
Best protection against blood clots is Walk, Walk, Walk. Movement keeps the
blood flowing in the legs and elsewhere, and prevents the blood from
staying stagnant long enough to clot anywhere. I just got home Saturday
from my surgery Thursday. They stopped my shots to prevent blood clots on
Saturday because I was up and out of bed most of the time. Being up also
helps reduce the pain, especially the part from gas buildup. I was blessed
not to have a lot of surgical pain, other than some from gas the first
night, which was helped more by walking than by pain meds. Symptoms of
clots, from what I saw with my Dad who had some, are a really hard swelling
knot in the leg that feels hot to the touch and turns red, and it gets
painful. It has to be on a major vein to be dangerous, not one of the tiny
branching ones in the feet. But again, if you walk and get around as much
as possible, you shouldn't have a problem with clots. Having said that, I'm
not a doctor or anyone medical, just repeating what I've learned in other
ways. If you're really worried, talk to your doctor and ask lots of
questions, then let yourself relax once you have the answers. Worry is
normal pre-op. I went through one day of crying almost non-stop over fears
I knew were irrational. It passed, and so will your fears. Hang in there,
and may you have a safe, easy time when your turn comes.
— Chyrl W.
November 19, 2003
Hi, Tameka! Before surgery, my pulmonologist had me use an incentive
spirometer to help me open up my lungs; I was also required to use it after
surgery to help prevent clots and pneumonia. One of the surgeons in my
group has found out that the spirometer is 100% successful in determining
if there's a leak, because if your levels are very low, that indicates a
leak. It also helps keep your lungs clear and prevents the build-up of
fluid.
<p>The other thing they did was put ted hose on me and compression
booties; they inflated with air every so often and felt like a foot
massage. These were on when I was in bed and not up walking. I also got
up to walk faithfully every two hours, except when I was sleeping.
<p>I think symptoms of clots in the lungs are difficulty breathing,
but please ask your surgeon to be sure; there are probably other symptoms
as well. If there's a clot in the leg, it may appear as a sore spot that
is hot and tender to touch. Again, please ask your surgeon for a more
definite answer.</p>
<p>You're very smart to be concerned about these things, since they
are the biggest concern I think for all of us after surgery. Your surgeon
may also have you give yourself shots after surgery to prevent blood clots;
mine had me do Lovenox shots. The needles were very small and I only had
to do them for about a week. I watched a video on how to do them, and then
in the hospital, I did it myself in front of the nurse so I made sure I did
it right.</p>
<p>I hope this info helps; I wish you the best of luck on your
surgery! Take care, Moysa
— Moysa B.
November 19, 2003
My surgeon sends all of his patients home with a 10-day supply of
injectable anti-coagulant. A home-health nurse come out the first two days
I was home to show my husband how to do it, and then he did it for me the
rest of the time.
— Rachel T.
November 20, 2003
Hey Tamika!
Yes, there is. My surgeon has us do shots of Heparin (in the stomach) once
a day for ten days after we get out of the hospital. While in the hospital
the nurses administer them. The other thing that I *especially* liked
about my surgeon's protocols is that he makes everyone get out of bed and
walk the night of surgery. My surgery was at 3:00 p.m. in the afternoon,
surgery lasted 80 minutes, and 3 hours after that I was walking to the
toilet. I sat up in a chair a good portion of the night, and by the 2nd
day was walking the halls. That getting up and moving is the best thing
you can do for yourself post-op! I was a little worried because I was in a
wheelchair before surgery - but what was totally mind-blowing was how
quickly I was significantly better - even just walking little snippets with
my cane as I was able.
Blessings,
dina
— Dina McBride
November 20, 2003
I had a blood clot during a previous (not related to WLS) hospitalization.
I had heparin in the hospital and coumadin at home (pill). It was a
nightmare to regulate. I had labs once/week (and I had nightmare veins - 4
sticks to get blood generally). 6 months of that cr@p. Luckily they finally
got me off it.
— kultgirl
November 20, 2003
Hi there. I was sent home with a 6 days worth of injectable Lovenox. It
came already drawn up so all I had to do was give myself the shot. The
nurses had me do it in the hospital before I left. It's a piece of cake
and the needle is so small it doesn't even hurt! Other than that just keep
yourself moving as much as possible. I too was very concerned about that
before the surgery, but all has gone fine. Best wishes!
— JaimeO
November 20, 2003
Hey Tameka~
VERY GOOD QUESTION! All the answers that have been given are all on the
mark! As an RN and a WLS vet, I want you to know that heparin and Lovenox
help to *prevent* the clots from forming. And *if* you do develop a clot,
heparin is given to keep it from getting bigger or developing a clot
somewhere else.
Also, not all doctors will send their patients home on the Lovenox, so you
need to consult with your surgeon to see what his protocol is going to be.
With me, I got heparin shots for the 3 days I was in the hospital. It will
also depend on your previous health history and if you are *prone* to
developing a clot. There are some people that have WLS have had a previous
surgery or procedure that has caused them to develop clots. And you and
your surgeon will determine what your history may have in it to
"predispose" you to developing a clot.
One big reason that some develop a clot is that they do not move their
legs. If you can, move your feet up and down and side to side. This helps
to move the blood back up your leg, instead of pooling, potentially causing
a clot. Also there was TED hose mentioned, yes those are wonderful! They
keep your veins compressed and helps to keep the blood flow going. Also,
you may have a device that is attached to you by feet or up along your
entire leg (some of these go to the knee or to the thigh) And this machine
compresses your legs to help get the blood going and, again, to not pool.
A lot of surgeons order this for any sort of surgery patient, just b/c it
is such a wonderful thing in helping in the prevention of clots.
Now, you may want to know that a pulmonary embolism usually develops from a
clot that has formed, usually in the leg, and has travelled to the lungs.
When this happens, you may feel a sense of immediate shortness of breath,
breathless almost. A lot patients that have experienced this say they also
feel a sense of doom impending, they also tend to develop a racing heart
too. This is due to the insufficient quantity of oxygen that you are
experiencing from the clot in your lungs, as well as the fear of "OMG
what is happening to me? Am I going to die?" And a lot of PE
patients feels that way, "am I going to die?" I don't want to
scare you with all this but that is the "medical" prospective of
a PE.
Again, first and foremost is WALK WALK WALK. Also discuss with your
surgeon his/her protocol on what they do for clot prevention. Use your
incentive spirometer FAITHFULLY! I always tell my patients that if they
are not up walking, and watching TV in a chair or bed, then use the
commercials as a reminder of *when* to do the I.S. And generally, you will
try to keep it w/in "Best" range by inhaling slowly enough that
you will feel the breath deep in your chest. If you are getting
lightheaded, you are probably doing it too fast. If you cannot feel the
breath all the way down into your chest, then you are not breathing in deep
enough. It is especially important to open up the lungs post anesthesia
b/c that is where the anesthesia is actually put and will remain there
unless we "blow it off" via the I.S. And with anesthesia in our
lungs we tend to feel sluggish, tired and it can lead to more problems such
as immobility, which then can lead to clots. Also, if you don't move
secretions that are produced by having an endotracheal tube inserted to
help breathe during surgery, you need to mobilize those secretions as well
as the anesthesia. If those sticky secretions stay, they are *prime*
breeding grounds for bacteria to cause pneumonia. That is why pneumonia is
a huge complication of surgery, not just WLS but all others as well.
I am sorry that this has turned into a book, but I felt that your topic was
very very important, and everyone that has posted a note is absolutely
right! Hope surgery goes well and if you have other questions, feel free
to email me off list
HTH --->
— Marni
December 1, 2003
My doctor required 30 days of Lovenox shots. I took the first one before
surgery and then twice a day for the next month.
— Tracy K.
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