Blood Clots

I have had several clots in my lungs from birth control pills in 2004 and 2006. I went to my consult and my surgeon is very worried.  Yes I will be getting a filter put in. He would like me to have the RNY. I started at 532 and down to 453. I have 53 lbs to go before I can have the surgery. He says I am very high risk of dying from a clot. Did anyone have a clot from surgery? Did you have a filter and did it prevent one from breaking off. I am so scared but know I need this for me to live or will be dead in the next 5 years he said. Just worried. Got to keep positive, pray and WALK.

I had a HUGE PE that landed my in ICU for 16 days after the birth of my twins. My dr. did some blood work and found out that I have Factor V. I did not get a filter, but was give large doses of Levonox to take after surgery 2x's a day for 30 days. I was very diligent about my walking after surgery and am happy to say, I did NOT develop one after my RNY or gallbladder surgery. 

I too had blood clots back in 1989 so the IVC fliter was put in place before the RNY.  NOt to scare you, but 2 weeks after my surgery I ended up in ER with 2 blood clots in my aorta that had to have open heart surgery to remove. I would do it again in  a heartbeat though. RNY saved me life.

My surgeon wouldn't do the RNY on me and insisted I get a lap band because of my clotting disorder plus I had a filter put in too. First of all don't even consider a band they are useless at best. It seems to me if they put you on lovonox shots and put in a filter you should be pretty safe. Of course I'm no doc but I go thru this everytime I have surgery which has been often in the last few years. I always do the lovonox shots but only had the filter for my band surgery and then had it removed a month later. Insertion and removal of the filter were super easy, no big deal. The shots are also easy, it's a small needle and I givemine in the belly. Poke and it's all done. Good luck to you!

Clots are scary---very. But the Greenfield filter is VERY effective. It doesn't prevent a clot from breaking loose---it catches it in the vena cava before it can reach the lungs. I hope he will also be giving you anti-coagulants, pressure boots, etc.

However---I really, really hope that with your BMI you'll research the DS. The DS has the very best long-term, maintained weight loss stats for patients of ANY size, but this is especially true for those of us with a BMI greater than 50. It's also the most effective form of WLS for resolving or preventing co-morbs like diabetes and high cholesterol.

You don't say who your surgeon is---but there are very few DS surgeons out there, so the odds are good he isn't one of them. (Especially since he's recommending the RNY for you---after all, the Ford dealer isn't going to recommend you buy a Cadillac. *grin) However, there are a couple of EXCELLENT DS surgeons in CA---Dr. Rabkin and Dr. Keshishian. Both these guys have a lot of experience with high-risk patients with very high BMIs. Please do yourself a favor and at least consult with one of them.

Visit the DS board here at OH, and talk to some people who've been living with their DS for a while. Also ask how many of them started out with a different surgery, and wound up getting revised to the DS. (Revisions are far more dangerous than 'virgin' surgeries.)

It's ultimately YOUR decision, not your surgeon's, not your insurance company's, not your friends' or family's. Just be sure you fully understand all your options before you go under the knife.

Think twice, cut once.

I had a blood clot from birth control pills to (Back in 1980 - the dark ages!)

When I had my surgery they said since my clots were caused by hormones, my chance of getting clots wasn't any higher than anyone else's and only did the normal stuff they do to prevent them like the Lovanox shots in the hospital and the boots that massage your legs.

I've had blood clots in my lungs twice, the second being a huge one. I had an IVC filter inserted. It was no biggie. I didn't get the clots from birth controll pills. I have a blood clotting disorder. I never had WLS but I did have a panni removal. My doc had me on Lovenox shots before the surgery. It stings a little, but not too bad.

I hope things work out for you. Good luck.