Question:
Blood Clot Question

I am two-weeks post op today and thanking God for a seemingly no complication lap RNY. My concern is this: I have horrible feet pain, it's excruciating if I walk around for too much. I am not nearly as active as I should be from all that I've read & heard. I am taking the Heparin (?sp?) shots 3 times a day for three weeks but I am still concerned about blood clots. I wish it didn't hurt so much to move around. Is there anything else I can do to help prevent clots from occurring? I bought an extra pair of Ted Hose and I've worn them daily but not while I sleep. I heard of a woman on this WLS page who had lost 52 pounds and seemingly doing well only to have a blood clot move through her heart and she died...this thought frightens me in a big way, I know you understand. Any words of advice would be greatly appreciated.    — Lisa J. (posted on April 23, 2002)

April 23, 2002
I have a clotting disorder and my doctor had me walking every 2 hours. Just get up and move around a little bit and that should help. You don't have to walk massive amounts of distance.
   — Tracey W.

April 23, 2002
You need to CALL YOUR DOCTOR if you have concerns and pain that you did not have ambulating prior to surgery. That is the best advice I can give you.
   — Charlene B.

April 23, 2002
I am the one who asked the question re: blood clots on this page - I wanted to mention that the excruciating pain in my foot has been there for over a year. I've taken sterroids & whatnot to try and help the pain but it didn't last.
   — Lisa J.

April 23, 2002
I agree with the previous poster, you should call your doctor better safe than sorry. I have a question I am curious to know if you had an IVC filter put in prior to surgery. I am pre op but my doctor is recomending that I have a filter put in just before I have my surgery done. It just seems to me that all wls patients should be required to have one, just to prevent clotting since they know that clots are a problem with wls. Just my personal aponion. Congrats on the surgery and best wishes.
   — Subrina D.

April 23, 2002
PLEASE try and get some exercise! Its very, very important, even if its just to the corner of your block and back! I also had a friend who was 6 weeks out, down almost 60# and died from a blood clot that traveled to her lung. She wasnt doing what the doctor ordered either. Its hurts me deeply, but, also angers me tremendously knowing this could have been prevented if she had only done what she was supposed to do. Because of it I lost the best friend I had even known. PLEASE try harder to get your exercise in. It can only help matters! Good luck and God bless you!
   — Kerry P.