Question:
Does the need to be on long-term Coumadin preclude bariatric surgery?

I am on Coumadin (a blood thinner) because I have a disorder which makes my blood clot too much, and have had blood clots in my legs. Is there any reason why I couldn't have bariatric surgery? I am able to go off the Coumadin long enough for the surgery, if I take precautions. Any thoughts?    — Rebecca R. (posted on June 24, 1999)

June 24, 1999
My Dr gave me coumadin post operatively to prevent blood clots..i would think theres a way around it preventing this surgery...
   — Deanna D.

June 24, 1999
I would definatly question your doctor about this. I belong to the support group at Tampa General in Tampa, Florida. I am looking to schedule my surgery ASAP, but a very sad event was announced at our meeting on Tuesday. The gentleman who started the support group in Tampa 6 months ago died about a week after his surgery. The cause was blood clots to his lungs. There were no other warning signs/indications before his surgery. From what I am being told, he did not want to walk or move around much after the surgery. This could have been a contributing factor to his death. Make sure you get all the information from your surgeon on blood clotting before you go through with this. Keep in mind the surgery was not the cause of his death. You can go in to the hospital with a broken arm or have your tonsils removed and could still wind up with blood clots traveling to your lungs. Good luck and God Bless you
   — Joe W.

June 24, 1999
When you have bypass surgery, you are put on heparin, twice daily as a blood thinner. If you are accepted by a surgeon for surgery, be sure to ask him if he will insert a Greenfield filter during the surgery. If not, DO NOT HAVE THE OPERATION WITH THAT SURGEON, BUT FIND ANOTHER ONE. The man who died, mentioned in the previous post, probably did not have a filter inserted. My surgeon does this routinely. The filter catches blood clots on the way to the lungs and does not let them reach the lungs. Since you already have problems with blood clots, you are at extremely high risk for them with this procedure. It is your life, be sure to ask your surgeon the important questions and don't be intimidated if he says he doesn't use them, etc. Just find another surgeon if necessary.
   — Deborah L.

July 29, 2000
Hi Rebecca, I also have a blood disorder that causes me to get blood clots.And this is one of my concerns also about this surgery also.My blood disorder is called "Protein C & S Deficiency, in 1998 I started getting clots even tho my blood was thin which was very upseting to me.My doctor suggested having a Greenfield Vena Cava Filter put in,which I did,they put it in thru you groin area in radiology department and it only takes about 15 minutes and you are awake thru it all with mainly very little pain.I'm not a doctor but from my own experiance with 7 DVT's I firmly believe anyone with a clotting disorder should have this done,I had never heard of it until then.And I thank you others for your info to on problems with clots.Good Luck All!!
   — Jennifer M.

July 15, 2001
I too have a blood clotting disorder called Protein C Deficiency. I have had Pulmonary Embolism twice and DVT 3 times before I was diagnosed. I have been on coumadin therapy for 3 years now. The docotor who will be doing my surgery is aware of my blood clotting diorder and has outlined his plan to prevent clotting during surgery and post-op. I will, of course, have to go off of coumadin about 5 days prior to surgery. During surgery I will be given plasma, which contains Protien C. And after surgery I will be on heprin and then transitioned back on to coumadin. I am comfortable with this process and feel confident of a successful outcome. I WILL NOT have a Greenfield Filter, because it ONLY prevents blood clots from reaching your lungs/heart that form in your legs. If clots form elswhere, the filter won't do any good. Also, the filter is a forgein body and your body will react to as such, eventually, according to my PCP, it can cause blood clots itself. Getting up and moving frequently is the key to helping to prevent blood clots, Walk, Walk, Walk.
   — Susan M.

August 29, 2001
Hi, I too have a blood clotting disorder, It is called APLA (antiphosphilipid antibody disorder- I clot too well) and I had DVT about three years ago. I was told that with WLS you would be on blood thinners anyway, before,during, and after and that Coumadin levels would be worked out with your doctor. I too was worried about it, in fact my thrombosis specialist does not recommend that I have WLS, she says it is too risky. Of course I think it is too risky to stay fat, cause i won't live very long this way either.
   — ChatKat15