Vena Cava Filter

Well I was informed today that I have to have a Vena Cava Filter (Greenfield Filter) put in to help prevent clots after surgery.  I was so surprised because this was the first I had been told of it.  I am having it done next Wednesday a week from today. I was curious if anyone else had one ever put in?  I don't mind it at all infact I am happy it's going to go in because my father has one he has had blood clots in the past, so because of that I am at a higher risk.  I was just curious if anyone else has ever had one.

I've had one...in fact I have two. They put one in before my surgery (the removable type). After surgery they went to take it out and found I had clots--- so I got a second one put in.  Ask away on any questions you have about the procedure- the filters- any of that. I think they may have saved my life- but we can't be sure. The doctors aren't sure if the filter caught a clot or if a clot grew on the filter (since it is a foreign body).

Wow, how is it put in?  I know that is it probably grose I hope it doesn't hurt too much.  I am a big BABY when it comes to pain.  Haha maybe i should ask for extra drugs!

MIne was put in through the grown- and it comes out through the neck. They give you lidocain at the site where they are going to puncture you. Its a real small puncture maybe a cm or two. Then they thread in a guide wire. It feels a little weird in the grown area when they pu**** through, but its not pain. THey'll do some scans to make sure they are in the right spot, then the filter will be slid in through the guide wire. The most pain you will have is when they apply pressure to stop the bleeding. The doctor will push down for about 10 minutes. That was the least pleasant. Then you go to recovery for anywhere from 4-6 hours where you can't move!!! They were going to have me use a bed pan so I just refused all liquids and held it...I am not a bedpan kind of girl :) Taking it out you lay on your side and they go in through the jugular. Same process but you only have to be in recovery for about an hour and the pressure on the neck doesn't hurt as much. Oh- and one other heads up. They are going to use contrast when they look at the filter. They inject it in and you get a warm rush all over your body. I personally hated it. But again, its just a weird sensation- not anything painful.  You could probably ask for some meds to put you in that twilight stage where you are conscious but pain is really dimmed. But don't worry- it wont hurt that bad!!!! When are you having it put in? Is yours removable??

I have to have it put in Wednesday the 5th (next wednesday) I don't know if it is removable, I was frankly really shocked because here I am less than 2 weeks from surgery and this was the first I had heard of it.  I didn't really have time to process questions like is this removable lol.  But on the other hand I have been thinking, if I am going to have to have it in for the surgery and I am at a higher risk for blood clots because of my family history.  I may just want to leave it in, especially since I will probably have to have another one put in when I have my TT and so on.

I understand your  shock! I just saw a vascular surgeon this week (we are trying to determine if mine will come out) and he said that because some are now retrievable (this is new in the last 3 years) more surgeons and doctors are having people put them in. It isn't as big of a decision since they can come out. Once it is in, you won't even know its there. I don't feel it. I don't set off metal detectors. In the back of my mind I know I have this extra safety net to protect me. Depending on the brand they can stay in for a few months to a year and still be pulled out. Also, you mentioned your dad has had a clot. Do you know if you have a factor V leiden mutation. It is a fairly common, genetic mutation, and can lead to an increased risk of clotting. if you aren't sure (and have good health insurance) it is something you may want to get tested for at some point.