Question:
How long does it take to get the Greenfield inserted.

My surgeon told me that at a Greenfield Filter was indicated, and that it would be done the day prior to my RNY WLS. I understand how it works. It takes 30 minutes to insert. How long does it take to recover from the procedure? I know I have to be at the hospital at 0530 the next day. Should I pack my jammies? Jay    — blank first name I. (posted on May 19, 2003)

May 19, 2003
My greenfield filter, the permanet one, not the temporary one, was implanted in my neck in about 15 min. The other way is to go thru the groin area. I then was taken to recovery and told to lay down for about 2 hours. I was given something in the surgery room to make me feel like I was in lala land. I never felt a thing. I walked out of the hospital day surgery with no problems and had a normal day.They even fed me while I was in there. Totally a good experience. Gave me peace of mind.
   — Leslie E.

May 19, 2003
Could someone explain what this Greenfield Filter is? Never heard of this and why does it need to be done?
   — Starrlina

May 19, 2003
The filter is this little umbrella looking thing that is inserted either in the leg or neck that acts like a gaint drain stop for blood clots. Basically it catchs them to stop them from reaching the heart, lungs, or brain which as we all know can make us very sick or even kill us if left untreated. Generally they are used on people who are at risk (have had blood clots before or cannot get up and walk after surgery) or are Super Obease as in a BMI 50+ and limited moblitiy. Ask your surgeon if you need one. It is a life saver.
   — Renee B.

May 20, 2003
My husband had a Greenfield filter placed before his RNY. This was an outpatient procedure under IV sedation. The placement of the filter took about 20 minutes, but then he was in Recovery Room for an hour. If the radiologist had been able to place the filter through a neck vein, he could have gone home straight from the Recovery Room. However, the filter had to be placed through the groin area, and he had to stay in a room for 4 hours on "bedrest" so that the staff could monitor any bleeding from the insertion site in the groin. There was a pressure dressing and sandbag on the groin during this period to lessen the risk of bleeding. The IV sedation was great....he didn't remember a thing, and other than some tenderness in his groin for a day or two, had no problems at all. Best wishes!
   — Diana T.