Question:
Am I just paranoid or do I have a legitimate consern?

I am 2 days away from having surgery. I have been reading up on post-op health and the pulmonary embolisms and blood clots issue is really conserning me. About one week after my last pregnancy in 1997(I delivered by ceserean)both my legs were so swollen I could not wear shoes for a month. No pain, just swelling. My OB/GYN insisted that it had to do with the fluid I was retaining after surgery. Now as I am preparing for WLS I guess I am getting the jitters now. Am I just being paranoid or could my previous experience with the swelling in my legs be something to be conserned about? By the way, I wanted to thank everyone for all the well wishes. As I have said before, this site is a God send and God Bless you all. Thanks for listening.    — Mary P. (posted on October 2, 2002)

October 1, 2002
I also had extreme swelling right after having my daughter. My doctor said it was related to fluid retention and once he convinced me that I had to keep drinking TONS of water "break the dam" I lost 27# in 2 days! It just seemed so bizarre to have to drink water to lose water. But anyway, I had my lap RNY 7-11-02 and had NO problems. They gave me shots of blood thinner (I think this is pretty standard) to make sure I wouldn't have any clots. That's no guarantee you won't, but then nothing in life is a guarantee. Good Luck on your surgery, I don't regreat anything about having it done!
   — Carolyn I.

October 1, 2002
Mary: your surgon needs to have all medical information in your file so he can be preparred. Please call and give this information, or tell them when you get to the hospital. It is unlikely that this was anything more than fluid retention, but he needs to know about it.
   — faybay

October 1, 2002
You have a good bit of control over bloodclots! WALK WALK WALK right after and all the time. Walking helps prevent clots. Dont be a couch potato. Congrats on your surgery! It was THE BEST experience of my life! POST OP IS THE PLACE TO BE!
   — bob-haller

October 2, 2002
I did not have the swelling concern like you do. But when I had the surgery I was very nervous about the blood clot thing. I think most surgeons take several precautions to prevent this though. My surgeon required me to wear support hose and put them on before I went in for surgery. After the surgery I was given heparin shots (blood thinnner) and I was also encouraged to walk just as soon as I could after surgery. The longer you lie in bed after the greater your chance of blood clots. No movement means it gives all that blood a chance to pool where it shouldn't and cause clotting. Good luck! By the way, I am 9 weeks post-op lap RNY and have lost 50 pounds! :)
   — Laurel C.

October 2, 2002
I just had open rny on 9/20 and I did not experience the swelling to much I actually did in my arms but the concern runs high about the clot issue as best I can tell. Walk when they say walk and walk as far as they say and if you get sick of laying in bed I sure did, walk again. then when you go home keep walking. I walked about 3 houses down about 5-6 times a day and now I am up to 3 times around the block at a time. I truly feel in my heart that walking is the key to this whole recovery thing. The pain is ok and it can be kind of bad sometimes but walk inspite of it all WALK You will be fine. I when I laid in bed even wound my ankles around and did the point and flex thing with my feel to keep things from getting stiff and swollen. Good Luck!!!!!
   — Peggy A.

October 2, 2002
My legs wee really swollen after I had my baby (vaginally) - even though I didn't have swollen ankles when I was pregnant. My obstetrician told me it was from the epidural. Drinking lots of water and moving around should help alot.
   — Patricia E.