Greenfield Filter?

do any of you have one? when was it installed? where-on your person? where-as in hospital outpatient? did you have to have a family member drive you home? how long before your surgery was this done? it has been suggested that my DH may need to have one put in before his upcoming surgery-some of you may remember that i freaked when he threw a clot during his hospital stay last summer-the docs didn't freak but i did! anyhow- trying to get more info than i can find in medical stuff-i need in plain English! thanks

I don't know if my filter is a Greenfield filter or not, but Dr S mandates IVC filters for all his patients. My surgery was on Monday 3/22 - the filter was done Thursday, 3/18. The filter is in my back (vena cava). The procedure was relatively 'simple'. It was done as an outpatient in a radiology suite at the hospital. I was conscious through the whole procedure though they did use a local anethestic. The toughest part (and all the other of Dr S's patients that I've heard talk about say the same thing) was that AFTERwards you have to lay still for HOURS. You cannot move around. I was one of the lucky ones. I was only kept for maybe an hour to an hour and a half, but some end up staying for up to 4 hours before they are released. It really depends on the doctor who does the procedure. Mr Mo was there with me and drove me home. They sent me home with instructions to rest and take it easy for the balance of the day. Do nothing strenuous. I did go back the next day because it was going to be my last day before I was out for my surgery, but given the choice again, I would not have. Actually I would have probably scheduled the filter for Friday rather than Thursday. I did have some residual discomfort in my back after the procedure, but it was no big deal. It's important to be well hydrated going in so your veins are 'pumped' up. And lots of fluid after as well. Hope this helps. If I think of anything else, I'll come back and post more. Hugs, Mo