Question:
Pulmonary Emboli risk

Hey, you all. I was wondering if any of you knew when your risk of pulmonary embolisms returns to "normal" after surgery? I know you can get them anytime...but I'm assuming that since there's a marked increase in your chances of having them after a surgery, then that increased risk reduces eventually. I don't know if it makes a difference depending on what type of surgery you're going to have, but I am pretty sure I'm going with the lap RNY. Thank you all!    — jenn_jenn (posted on August 4, 2003)

August 3, 2003
I don't know that there is an magic time when your risk returns to normal. I think it really depends on several factor, including personal and family history of blood clots, how soon you start exercising, history of smoking and so forth. As a lightweight who never smoked and started walking as soon as I got home, with no family or person al history of clots, and I was on baby aspirin for 3 weeks, I'd say my risk for pulmonary emboli was fairly low to begin with, so my risk probably returned to normal fairly soon after surgery! Hope this helps!
   — koogy

August 3, 2003
My surgeon told me that the risk pretty much is gone when we are no longer morbidly obese. It is actually a risk of just being MO and increased by surgery. That little tidbit was one of the reasons that I decided to have the surgery. I thought that was scary.
   — Carol S.

August 4, 2003
I had a Greenfield Filter put in before my surgery. Dr. Wood recommends this for most of his patients. It goes in the main artery to block clots and is painless to have put in.
   — kkubinski99

August 4, 2003
4 weeks after is what I was told.
   — Kelly P.

August 5, 2003
Well...I had my lap rny on 6/10/03 & a week later got a pulmonary blood clot. I had no family or personal history with clots. You just never know, I guess. I will be on blood thinners until September sometime...my pulmonologist says 3 months after surgery is the risk factor. Just learn the warning signs & don't wait to go to the ER if you think there might be something wrong. I thought I wouldn't have any problems, just like anybody else. I think the best thing to do if be prepared, because you never know. I told them at work I'd need anywhere between 4-10 weeks off & sure glad I did. I also had 2 scopes already & will need a 3rd on the 15th. Then hopefully I'll be past my bumps in the road!! Good Luck.... & by all means just do your research so you know what "might" go wrong.
   — Rita G.