Dr. Curry..iv filter?

Dr. C, Do you know if the ivc filter (not sure if i worded it correctly), anyway it's the one that is put in to help prevent blood clots, it go in thru the groin. My question is, do you know if and when it is removed?. I forgot to ask the surgeon, I don't have it yet. He said that I was right on the borderline and if i was totally against it he would not put it in. But I do trust his judgement so I'm gonna go head and get it. I know I am rambling. Any feedback would help. Thanks a lot.

Hello Ms. Kat, I'm not Dr. C but I can answer from my own experience. I had a Greenfield filter put in prior to my surgery too. They inserted mine in the neck and tried to take out it through my groin. I wasn't able to have it taken out so mine is now a permanent one...but my dr. tried to remove it 2 weeks after my surgery. Mine was a simple procedure (I think I was more scared of that at first than the surgery), but it lasted only 20 minutes and no pain at all. Good luck. Julie

Thanks so much for your info Jules.... Crystal

Ms. Kat I to am not Dr C. but i can speak from experience I had my filter placed at St John West Shore hospital by Cleveland, They put mine in through the groin it was essentially painless. It was taken out 7 weeks after surgery mine was taken out thru my neck it was not painful but very awkward and uncomfortable. It took like 2o minutes to place and about 45-50 minutes to remove it. Sometimes when the filters are placed they are permanent it is totally up to your Doctor placing it and the cir****tances surrounding it. Alot of times they are just temporary. Good luck on your journey take a deep breath and put your mind on cruise control it really is not as bad as a procedure as it seems. Jim

Hey Jim, Thank you so very much for your feedback. Crystal...

Kat, There are 2 types of filters - removable and non-removable. Even though the "removable" ones are "removable", frequently they end up being left in. It's a pretty simple, straightforward procedure in experienced hands - certainly better than having a blood clot go to your lungs! Dr. C

Thank you Dr. C...

How does the Dr. determine if you need the filter in the first place????

John, I rarely put filters in for band patients (in fact I never have). For bypass patients only if you had a prior blood clot that was major. I have done 500 bands with no blood clots and only 2 in 450 bypasses so it's pretty uncommon. By the way if you have a question for me you can go over to my web site and there is an "Ask the Doctor" section, I might find it faster! Dr. C Cincinnati, Ohio Got a question? Ask the doctor at www.TheBandDoctor.com 877.442.BAND DISCLAIMER: If I am not your surgeon, any comments made by me are not meant to be taken as medical advice, just general guidelines. Contact your surgeon about your specific problem!