Question:
Looking for information on the filters they put in you before surgery.

I have heard a little about a filter they can put in you before surgery. Do these filters stay in you forever or do they take them out after awhile? also, do these filters alter your life in any way?    — LoyAnn S. (posted on May 6, 2002)

May 6, 2002
The filters are to prevent blood clots that may form in your legs from traveling to your heart, lungs, and/or brain where they can be deadly. They resemble inverted umbrellas without the fabric on them. They are placed in you in an outpatient procedure where a tiny incision is made into a vein where your thigh meets your torso and a catheter is threaded through that vein into your vena cava (the 'tube' that returns blood from your legs to your heart). The filter is at the end of the catheter, and once the catheter is in the place where the physician wants it, it is "opened" like the umbrella. There are many types of filters made of many different materials. Be sure to find out if your is safe for MRI, in case you need to have one later in life. (Most ones made now are.) The filter will stay inside you, since it would be an invasive procedure to remove it. However, if there are any problems with it, it can be removed if necessary. My mom has had a filter in for about 36 years now, and we place them in people where I work all the time. I'm sure someone, somewhere has had problems with them, but I personally have never seen or heard of one.
   — Danette H.

May 6, 2002
Never heard of this...and never had to have one placed. Is this necessary? And also is this something Dr.'s typicaly do? I am doing fine without one...so not sure why they would do this.
   — Lisa B.

May 6, 2002
Hi... This is a Greenfield or IVC filter. I had one placed the day before my RNY. Honestly it was my biggest fear more so that the RNY itself. In actuality, it was a piece of cake. In my case they put in a central line in my upper chest and then inserted the filter there. The central line was left in place to use the next day. I was awake through the whole procedure though in lala land. I had no discomfort or pain and have had no problems since it being inserted 5 wks ago. Also no clots. They are used most often for people who carry a greater risk of blood clots post op or during surgery. Good luck to you.
   — AJC750

May 6, 2002
I spoke to my doctor about the filter because I had a heart attaack several years ago. She does not like to put them in unless absolutly necessary. SOME patients have to stay on blood thinners after getting a filter. That in itself can cause prolems. My doctor says the best gaurd against blood clots is to WALKWALKWALK as soon as possible after surgery and walk as much as possible when you get home.
   — Linda M.

May 6, 2002
Hi there. I had the Vena Cava Filter put in about 10 days before my surgery. I was scared to death of this. But once it was in I was glad to have it because it was like a sort of "insurance policy " if that makes sense. The filter prevented you from getting a bloodclot to travel from your legs to like your lungs or heart. It was good to have it in. I have a card I carry with me b/c the filter stays in there. See, they went in through my groin to put the filter in. It was not pleasant, but it was nothing like I had imagined. No side effects yet either!
   — Craig A.

August 19, 2004
I had a vena cava filter placed on the Friday before my RNY surgery on Monday, April 12, 2004. It was put into place through a small puncture in the groin area. On June 18, 2004, the filter was removed through my jugular vein!
   — nancyhrich