Question:
Has anyone had blood clots before and having/had surgery?

In 1999, I was diagnosed with a Pulmonary Embolism (blood clot in my lungs). I was in the hospitaa for 5 days and on blood thinners for 6 months after. So far I have not had any other problems, but I am now in the process of having RNY surgery and I am getting scared. Has anyone had blood clots before did okay during and after surgery? What was done to prevent clotting? HELP!!! I am really scared!!    — Crystal G. (posted on June 6, 2003)

June 6, 2003
Hi, I too have had pulmonary emboli (multipal in both lungs) in July of 2001. When I went to Dr. Vaughan's seminar, we had the oportunity to ask questions. I asked him specifically would I still me a candidate for the surgery (since I am high-risk for recurrance) he said; that yes I could still have the surgery, that they would need to take extra precautions, but that he has had nothing but good outcomes. I also think that because if you have "lap" w/ Dr. Vaughan, you are only under for 1hr. & 15 mins. You are up and walking around that afternoon. And as you know, that is very important. Discuss it with your surgeon. If he feel uncomfortable doing it - CHANGE SURGEONS - it can be done. Best of luck to you. Sharon
   — Sharon B.

June 6, 2003
I had a pulmonary embolism n 1997, because of this before surger they put in a Greenfield Filter. This filter screens blood clots and breaks them down before they get to the heart and lungs. I will never have to worry about a pulmonary embolism again. However, it is my understanding that this procedure costs between 10 adn 15 thousand dollars. That's what the doctor who placed it told me. Luckily, my insurance company paid for the filter and procedure. Good luck to you. Open RNY 12/10/02 down 95 lbs.
   — Sharon L.

June 6, 2003
I have had two episodes of pulmonary emboli in both the right and left lungs and will be on coumadin for the rest of my life. I had lap rny on 12/16/02. I was on coumadin until a week before surgery. Then I had to do Lovenox injections before and after surgery until I could get my coumadin levels back where they should be. While your surgery is considered more high risk than it already is, it can be done. It's normal to be afraid, but as long as your physician is on top of it and you follow all the rules afterward, like walking soon and keeping those socks on that massage your legs while you're in the hospital - you should be okay. Good luck and keep the faith that God will be watching over you.
   — Diane R.

June 6, 2003
I am 60 days pre-op, I have a blood clot on my lower left venticle of my heart, They found this in 1998 when I thought I was having a heart attack, and while in the hospital I had a stroke, a piece of the blood clot broke off and passed through my optical nerve. I am a high risk for WLS, but my surgeon is aware of this and has agreed to do the surgery. I am on Coumdin and will be for the rest of my life. I called my surgeon's office the other day because I am also scared about more blood clots and asked about the filter. I was told that I will not need it because of being on blood thinners, that as another poster said I will go off the Coumdin about a week before surgery and use Lovenox as a bridge during surgery and then go back on Coumdin, I hate it, but the blood clot is still there. The good thing is that my surgeon use to be a heart surgeon, so I feel very comfortable when him doing the surgery. Make sure you find a surgeon that can do a high risk surgery, please read my profile for more details.
   — cindy