Question:
concerned about blood clots
Can anyone tell me what steps the surgeons take to prevent blood clots? This is probably the biggest fear I am having. I don't have a family history of clots and I don't have any major health problems other than being obese. Also, is there anything I can do before surgery to reduce my risks of having them? any info would be appreciated! — jennifer S. (posted on April 13, 2004)
April 12, 2004
That was my biggest concern pre op too. Begin a walking program every day
NOW, the better more active you are today the easier it will be post op.
They will give you blood thinner shots and probably leg massagers in the
hospital, The most important thing you can do is walk walk walk begining
the day of surgery. That along with sip sip sip water will help keep you
safe. Lounging about after surgery and not staying hydrated is largely how
people get bloodclots and some die. This can largely be prevented by lots
of walking! Do get a book like barb Thompsons on WLS theres lots of info
there on complications, symptoms and how to prevent them. Being
knowledgable can save your life.
— bob-haller
April 13, 2004
My doctor gave a shot of heparin daily and I had to wear compression
garments on my legs that inflated and deflated every few seconds.
— Patty H.
April 13, 2004
My Doc put in a "Greenfield Filter" in prior to surgery that sits
where your arteries meet your lungs. It's called a Vena Cava filter and if
you do get a blood clot, it prevents the clot from hitting your lungs and
killing you. Mine is permanent, but there are others that can be removed
later. Generally, if you have a BMI of 50 or greater your Doc will
probably have you get one.
Kelly
— casek
April 13, 2004
I developed a blood clot about 2 1/2 weeks after my surgery and was put on
blood thinner for almost 9 months. I was doing everything correctly:
walking, water, intake, everything. But still developed one. It first
felt like a bad charlie horse in my calf and I thought it was from TOO much
walking. I plan to have a TT this fall and I've already talked to both
surgeons,the PS and my vascular DR and it has been decided that I will be
put on some sort of thinner prior to the TT. I will only be under for the
amount of time to due a hernia repair and the TT. The breast, thighs, and
arms will be done in other procedures, they don't want to keep me under
longer than needed. Please talk to your Dr about things that can be done
prior to your surgery date if this a great concern to you. Then ask what
to do afterwards. I have been on a baby aspirin daily since they took me
off the thinner. And just do everything else especially walk. The chances
of a clot are so slim, don't let this stop you. Where I had my surgery,
they have done 100's of surgeries since mine last April and in that time, 2
people (I'm one) have developed clots. And I went in with no problems but
MO, No diabetes, No hypertension, No High blood perssure. So those things
really aren't facotrs. I was just susptible to them for some reason.
I have done very well though and would do it again. Started at 245 now at
goal 131. Surgery 4/8/04
— Tammara D.
April 13, 2004
OOPS my surgery was 4/08/03
— Tammara D.
April 13, 2004
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but my mom passed away from a clot in
her lung 3 weeks after her RNY in December. She had the Greenfield filter
in place and it did not stop hers!! You have no clue how terrible it is
that her 59 years on this earth were ground to a halt because something
that was supposed to prevent a clot did not. She had done everything right,
walked was loosing well and following the rules and one Friday she woke up
and felt tired, she passed away 3 hours later. Nothing is for sure in this
world and don't let the docs tell you it is. No one can explain why the
filter failed but it did. Look within yourself and decide if the risks are
worth it to you. Would I do it again with my moms passing? Yes but I had a
different surgeon.
Missing my mom badly
Wendy
— Wendy H.
April 13, 2004
Wendy, you hit the nail on the head............we each have to weigh the
real risks of this surgery and come to terms with the fact that we might
die as a result. For me, I believed that my time to die was already
appointed and it would come at the appointed time whether I had this
surgery or not. Once I reached that point, I had this incredible peace
about the surgery, knowing that whatever happened, it would have happened
anyway. After I reached that point, I prepared as if I would not be here
any longer and I was fine with that. I didn't see the surgery as a risk at
all after I reached that point. I made sure that my family knew how much I
loved them and that they would go on without me. Everything worked
fabulously for me but that just told me that it wasn't my time to go. I
think coming to that point has really, really helped me to appreciate every
single second we have on this earth. I've really, really lived in a way I
never did before and I am so grateful that I had to go thru that
self-reflection because it helped me understand what is really important in
life and I am the happiest I have ever been. It is scary and I was
concerned about blood clots, but you have to do a lot of soul searching and
be sure that you are where you need to be, whatever happens. I wish you
the best........it is a scary, nerve wracking time but I know you will make
the best decision for you. God bless.
— SCbabe B.
April 13, 2004
I had all my pre-op work done on Monday, including a wonderful physical by
a dr that works only as a pre-op dr. she gives all surgical patients a
complete exam so that surgeons have all the latest facts about us. i have
history of asthma, and am recently getting over chest cold that activated
my asthma. my dr put me on steroids to help my lungs clear up before
surgery, also she mentioned that i would be wearing stockings after surgery
to help prevent blood clots. the stocking are automated pressure stocking
that will work my legs so that just laying there will not create blood
clots.
— Deborah S.
April 13, 2004
Hey, I can totally understand your fear of clots. I had this fear too, but
I had had an unexplained bout of clots in 1995, when I was 31. I had some
risk factors, at that time I was a smoker (I quit 8yrs ago), was on the
pill and had had a baby 7mths before. So I was a bit nervous, we
contemplated several courses of action, from having me on a heparin drip
during surgery (can we say ahhhh, i thought bleed out), the heparin shots
and compression stockings, or having the vena cava filter put in. We did a
doppler scan of my legs the morning of my surgery and I was clear of clots,
so my surgeon opted for the heparin shots and the stockings. The day after
surgery I felt a really slight twinge in my right calf, i thought clot, the
next day it was stronger and they put me on a heparin drip. They took me
down for a cat scan and the clots had broken off and traveled to my lungs,
I had bilateral (both lungs)pulmonary embolisms. They upped my heparin
drip, put me in surgical critical care again. and two days later back to
surgery to have a vena cava filter put in. I only spent 5 extra days in the
hospital. I am doing fine. I faced the worst and made it through because we
kept a close watch and were proactive in our treatment. I had mentally
prepared for this possibility, so I was not bummed when it happened and I
was not afraid I was going to die. I was calm through it all. it is weird
that I was calm, but if you know your risks and are ready to deal with any
complications then you will be fine. I am almost 6 months out and down 111
lbs and doing great. Hope this helps. Lisa postop 10-23-03 339/228/???
— Lisa H.
April 14, 2004
My surgeon gives all of his patients injectible blood thinners right before
surgery and after in the hospital. He also uses those special compression
boots that felt like a foot massage. I have a history of clots in my legs
and lungs and did fine.
— Susan F.
April 15, 2004
Jennifer, I had the same fears also, even though I had no linkable history.
My doctor prescribed a blood thinner daily after surgery and I also wore
those inflatable boots on my legs for circulation. Most importantly I sat
up as soon as I could and I took a walk (day 2) even if for a brief moment.
The key is movement along with your doctor's care.
— Anna M.
April 21, 2004
I did everything I was suppose to - walked ALOT around the unit etc. etc
but within a 2 weeks I had a DVT - clot in my leg - that traveled to my
lungs. Praise God I was at the Drs. for my 2 weeks check-up and having a
hard time breathing - he sent me to the Hospital for tests which showed the
clot. I immediately had a Greenfield Filter put in but due to the clots, I
developed a irregular heart beat. I'm almost 13 months out - still have 2
clots in my lungs, continue on Coumadin with the hopes of still breaking
those clots. I have some heart valve damage too. Would I do it again?
ABSOLUTELY!!! I weigh 110 less, have alot of energy and enjoy shopping for
new clothes. Go with God - have confidence - health problems will worsen if
you don't have the surgery. God bless You- Sally Pletzer, Harrison, MI
3/26/03
— Sally P.
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