Blood clots, aspirin, and huge medication capsules

Hi all, This is my first post. Everything has happened so quickly. I had my first consultation on January 5, followed by psychologic testing, nutrition class, and scheduled and approved for RNY in March. Wow. I'm 47 years young and 308 pounds. I have high blood pressure (3 different meds) and use a CPAP nightly for sleep apnea. I have to admit I am scared of the surgery since I have blood clot history after a previous abdominal surgery in my early twenties. That was after surgery to open my fallopian tubes. At age 40, the doc discovered I have Factor V Lieden blood clotting disorder and this is why I was not able to carry a baby longer than 8 weeks but also why I got a blood clot. At 40, I chose not to pursue having a child (we adopted a wonderful baby boy who will be 16 in August) but I do have to take an aspirin a day to keep my blood thinned down. I fear another clot with this surgery. I also heard you should not take aspirin after RNY because of the potential for ulcers. I have two other autoimmune disorders. One is hypothyroid and the other is called PBC which is a liver disorder and the 3 medication capsules are huge so I fear how I will be able to take these medicines. I have my hospital pre-op procedures on 4/9. Then see my surgeon on 4/10 (Dr. Tillquist) and then surgery is scheduled 4/11 at 6:30 am. Maybe some of these fears will be better after seeing the doctor but if anyone out there has any ideas to put my fears to rest, shoot me an email. And keep me in your prayers.

Dear laura your story sounds alot like my hubby blood clots after abdomal surgery he had so many co morbities high blood pressure, sleep apnea, factor 5 laiden. dvt .PE. diabetes ,vasucalr damage ,ED diverticulities gout ,hemoroids thrombosis , enlarged prostate Well he was 295 lbs 6 ft tall and on enough meds to kill a house. well his doc said with all the risk factors he had more chance of dying w/o surgery then with the surgery . He had a filter put in and they gave him foot pumps to use while in the hospitial and he walked and walked and walked after surgery with in 4 hours of surgery . His surgery was in august 06 and today he weights 187 lbs and is off all meds except warfin which he will be on the rest of his life .. no diabetes or hbp or apnea .. he feel younger and best decsion to have the rny in fact sometimes he has low blood pressure.. He figured he nothing lose from the surgery and being obease was a forsure early death sentence ... good luck hon u r making the right moves ask your doc .. hope this helps lisa

Hi Lisa, Thank you so much for your positive response. You are awesome. Your report of your husband's good results made my day. I am so happy for him and for you. I can hardly wait to feel younger and healthier. Thanks again for taking the time to send a response and being my angel for the day. Lora

It made our marriage better even after he had wls ... i hear how many couples marriages fail and ours only grew closer added bonus .. but i love the idea of heathier life ahead us ... just wish i was on the losing side but each day it grows closer .. won't be long now april 18 my day I end obesity gain and it's all down hill be well lisa

That's also great to hear. The marriage thing that is. Rob and I have been married 27 years and our life has been a sociable food fest. (or feast) He has been my best friend but I would be fibbing if I said I didn't worry about his insecurities after my weight loss. He is 250 lbs himself but is severe diabetic, has had open heart surgery, etc., etc. etc. He has been disabled for over ten years and is now able to work part-time but his level of self-worth is low. I sure do hope we grow stronger together.

Lora: I had RNY done on 02/07/2007. But I had my preops done on 0/4 with a original scheduled surgery date of 01/10/2007. The Doctor's nurse called me on Monday 01/08 to tell me that my blood tests showed that my blood was 3 times tinner then it should be. The surgery was cancelled and I was sent to a hematologist that did a lot of testing and found that I had something similar to you. Mine is called Lupus anticoagulant disorder; my blood is really not thin, it only test's that way. In essence I throw clots. Aspirn will only keep the blood thin, not prevent clots. The hematologist okayed me for surgery and was there to treat me after the surgery with Lovernox. I was active and could walk afters surgery and move around with out asistance. I continued on the Lovernox for two weeks by giving myself injections. I only have to be concerned when I have surgery and will have to repeat the treatment. In fact a week after surgery they found lumps in my right breast and had to have them removed. This was able to be done without surgery, through catscans and radiology. I thank God everyday for my bariatric doctor being so thorough. If I had not considered the surgery I would have ignored all these things. Are you seeing a hematologist for yoru blood disorder? If so, ahve you discussed the surgery with him? All my Doctors worked together to pull this off for me, it was in my best interest to have this surgery and lose weight. As far as any pills I needed that could not be in liquid form, I crushed them with a spoon, mixed them with baby applesauce. It worked out just fine. I am hoping at my 3 month checup to be able to stop using my cpap machine. I ahve tried a few times to go without it but wake up with a headache. I tend to breathe very shallow and know I am not getting enough oxygen when this happens. All the best to you. Barb

Hi Barbara, Thanks for your post. I have not seen a hematologist but was diagnosed by my PCP seven years ago with Factor V Lieden. The treatment has just been an aspirin a day but my surgeon asked me to quit taking it 10 days prior to surgery. My blood is thick (just like my head) but I am listening to the doctor. I'm sure the medical team will be ready with Lovenox or Heparin but I am nervous and I really don't want to go through waiting and rescheduling. I'm ready for this surgery. How have you been being two months post-op? Have you missed not being able to eat lots? Any regrets? You have been through so much with the blood disorder and breast lumps. I will talk to my surgeon at length about the blood clot issue and do whatever he recommends. I'm one week pre-op so I do have the jitters. Your post helped me with knowing I can get through obstacles and being able to continue with my regular medicines and maybe get rid of the CPAP. I tend to hold my breath (even when awake). Best to you Barb and keep in touch. Lora