Question:
Should Dr. up rolled up blanket under knees?

I've been reading all the great info here and one thing that I see repeatedly is people waking up right after their WLS with terrible backaches. . . . . . . .Should everyone ask their DR. to put a rolled up blanket under their knees while they are on the OR table to relieve the back strain?.................I had the BAD backache after my hysterectomy and said to myself, "If I ever have surgery again...........    — Marrilee M. (posted on October 20, 2003)

October 20, 2003
Many times the backaches and strains come from moving you to/from the surgical table. In super morbidly obese patient moves are often done using a crane and lift because you are too heavy for humans to lift. Hospitals often do the same for just morbidly obese people so that their employees do not get injured. Talk to your doctor to see what he/she says about your idea.
   — M B.

October 20, 2003
Well, I was curious to know what position I would be in during surgery. They told me in the OR that the surgeon would have my feet put in stirrups (just like a pap smears) and stand between my legs. I don't know if he did this through the entire surgery or just a portion of it. I would have loved to had someone video tape my surgery, but too late now.
   — Jeannie4

October 20, 2003
The stirrups post below blew my mind. WOW! Never heard of that...my surgery was performed on my back with the table tipped slightly head down, feet elevated. I told my surgeon how two previous surgeries had hurt my back and he had them do the rolled towel. Very limited back pain this time! I didn't run crying to my chiro the second day I was home like with the previous surgeries. I highly recommend it!
   — [Deactivated Member]

October 20, 2003
I had a foam wedge shaped pillow under my legs for my back on the or table per my request.
   — **willow**

October 20, 2003
I had my WLS 4 weeks ago today. I ask my Dr.if I could have a roll put under my knees due to my bad back. He had a blanket brought in and placed under my knees. He said an aching back is the # 1 complaint, other than the surgery site itself, from patients coming out of this surgery. I had absolutely no back ache during recovery. I also had my Cardiologist place a roll under my knees during a heart cath. While he could only prop one knee it was enough to relieve the pressure.I've ask for the roll on other occasions and never had a Dr. or Techician refuse. I would recommend anyone that might get a backache to ask for a roll as soon as they get to the operating room. Our backs aren't meant to lie on a flat table for this length of time. It works for me. Margaret
   — Margaret T.

October 21, 2003
While in the hospital, I put two pillows under my knees when my back was hurting. My surgeon came in and made me take them out. He said pressure under the knees can cause a blood clot. Kimberly
   — Kimberly S.

October 21, 2003
he is right. placing a roll under your knees can cause blood clots to form there causeing a possible pulmonary embolism and likely death. connie ahlers rn
   — Connie R.