Question:
Has anyone had to have a venous filter inserted before surgery?

Had my final visit with surgeon today and found out I will have to have a filter inserted in cath lab day before surgery as a precaution to prevent clots. Have any of you done this? How was it; any complications; concerns? I'll be lightly sedated while they do this. Then line will stay in for surgery the next day. Thanks!    — AJC750 (posted on March 8, 2002)

March 8, 2002
I do not personally have any knowledge of this. However, this has been asked frequently and I am sure in the library there are many helpful answers.(probably more than you will get with this one question). Try typing "greenfield" or "filter" into the search. Hope this helps. Shelley
   — Shelley.

March 8, 2002
I had it done- it is NO BIG DEAL- take the sedation they offer you and it really is not painful. The onlyy thing that hurt me was the hurse putting pressure on the site so it would not bleed and that wasn't bad. i was concerned about even this minor surgery but everyone at the hospital was so nice and seemed so concerned for my comfort that i was just fine. it is a quick procedure too. the hard part is lying still afterwards. email me if you have any more questions.
   — jomu

April 11, 2005
I had the vena cava filter put in before my surgery, my doctor said it was up to me wether or not I wanted one. I'm glad I did, because one week post-op they found blood clots in both legs and I was lucky to have had the filter in place. There were no complications with putting in the filter and it was on an outpatient basis. I was sore for a day and then I forgot it was even done. Hope everything goes well for you and God Bless! Keep me posted. Karyn
   — Zimpo