Blood clots?

I have been reading alot of posts about blood clots post surgery.  Alot of you had stated that your doctors required you to have ultrasounds of your legs to check for blood clots.  Anyway did all of you have to have that?  Or were you just prescribed blood thiners for after surgery with out being tested before surgery?  See I did not have to have any test for blood clots before surgery but for 28 days after surgery(6-23-08)  I have to inject Lovenox (blood thiner)? Will that prevent me from throwing a clot if I already have them? Thank you Kelly

I was not tested for blood clots, but I was on Lovenox briefly after each surgery.  I also had an IVC filter placed to catch clots. 

Hi Jen,  How do they put in that IVC filter and when do they do it...the day of surgery? Thanks,  Linda

It depends on if you get a permanent one or a temporary one.  A permanent one can be placed anytime (its what I have) but there is a time limit on how long you can keep a temporary one - I don't recall the actual limit but it seems like people get it a week or so before surgery and take it out a couple of weeks after.  Ask your doc about it.

Hi Kelly,  They checked me first, I have a vena cava filter and I was on shots of blood thinners for 2 weeks . 

I was NOT checked prior to surgery but did have to do the Lovenox shots twice a day for 2 weeks.

Wow, I didn't know they even had those filters.   I was not checked preop and was given Lovenox in the hospital.  Nothing at discharge.   And of course those leg wraps that pumped up and down all night long and prevented me from sleeping!  And pumped they did...I had bruises on my legs when I left the hospital.   -Dawn

Do you have a history of blood clots?  I'm confused as to why you need to be on Lovenox so long as a post-op.  They gave me Lovenox in the hospital the first night I was there, but if you get up and walk around, and continue to do so once you're home, you most likely won't get clots.  If you already have clots, I'd ask my doctor why he or she isn't putting in a filter prior to surgery.  I believe the filter is placed in your thigh vein and is a relatively easy procedure.  The filter prevents clots from traveling to the heart. Kix

No I don't have a history of blood clots I guess thats why I am confused. 

My surgery is June 10th and I just filled my prescription for Lovemox. I have to use it for two weeks after surgery. I hate needles...... But it does help prevent the blood clots so its necessary!