Question:
Does anyone know the most recent stats on occurances of pulmonary embolus?
A year ago, I looked into having WLS but met some resistance with my PCP for giving me a referral. In the past month I found a MD who thinks I am a good canidate for either Lap Band or open bypass surgery. I have found out that my insurance won't cover lap band but with a 6 month regulated diet will cover open bypass. I have initiated some of the required tests (for my MD), but recently have become uneasy about having the surgery. Though, I trust my MD, I personally know three people who have had wonderful outcomes, but I also know of three individuals who have died secondary to throwing clots within two weeks after surgery. To make matters worse two of these people where either married to or dating members of my family. Needless to say my family is totally not supporting my decision to have WLS. I was just wondering of there is a "real" stat on episodes of death due to complications of this surgery. I had a hysterectomy in 2004 and want to know if the risk of DVT is really any different with WLS than any other major surgery. Please someone help calm my fears about this!!!! — angiekay (posted on January 16, 2006)
January 16, 2006
I had my open GBP in 1996 and I am still here and healthier as ever. You
could go ahead and check my profile.
If I have to do it again I would in a heart beat.
— Dani96
January 16, 2006
Congratulations for at least starting on the road to health. There are
definite risks for overweight people to have any kind of surgery. If you
went out and broke your leg and needed emergency surgery you would be in at
least as much risk as to get DVTs as for WLS. So just because you are
thinking of having weight loss surgery don't think that your perhaps facing
more risk than one would expect with anyu other surgery. I am a nurse and
had many years of counseling patients before their impending WLS. One of
the things that you could do before your surgery is to start improving your
chances. A Dr, who I work together with always gets his WLS patients to go
on a fitness improvement program to minimize their risks of getting DVT.
This program is so simple, a brisk walk at least twice a day for 40 minutes
and reduce animal fats. Not only do you get fitter and are more able to
tolerate surgery but you will LOOSE WEIGHT. Our patients loose about 20 to
30 pounds before surgery and it makes a huge difference to their safety
margins. Encourage your relatives to come to a support group meeting and
find out more about the amazing procedures that can make a difference to
your life. Yes I have known of 3 people who have not made it through
surgery or should I say beyound 30 days post op. But I am acquainted with
790 people in the last 9 years who have had a miracle wrought in their
lives, why not make it 791 for us.
Keep letting us know how you are going.
Love the new princess to be.
— Lise K.
January 16, 2006
Hi Angie. I don't know the stat, but I do know that my surgeon is
concerned about this also, and he is going to have an IVC(sp?) filter put
in me before the surgery. It is also known as an 'umbrella filter'. You
might check that out. I have asked many people, and they have all said it
is a simple procedure, and you can either leave it in, or have it taken out
later. From what I have learned, it is equal to a built-in insurance
policy. It goes into a large vein behind your stomache and catches any
blood clots that would try to go.
In the end, Angie, it is your decision. Do your research, and do what is
best for you. It is important to have support, but you will never have
everyone on your side.
From experience...this is a different surgery, but I had a cousin go in for
a simple back surgery. She had a heart attack on the table and she went
into a coma and later died. Several years later, I was injured and needed
a back surgery. Well, all my family was so scared. I hear everything from
'you better make a will' to 'you'll never see your son grow up'. In the
end, people judge things based on the experiences they have had, and the
fear it brings...there may be some people that you can not talk to about
it, because they have had a bad experience.
I hope everything works out for you.
Sandra
— Sandra.M
January 16, 2006
For people who have a personal or strong family history of either deep
venous thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism, there can be an abnormality
detectable in the blood that may indicate increased risk of future blood
clot. Ask your surgeon about a Thrombophilia Evaluation. I did, since
there is a history of pulmonary emboli post surgery in my parent. My tests
were all fine; my surgery is in one week and I have a lot of peace of mind
knowing my risk is minimal.
— ColleenY
January 16, 2006
Angie,
I had DVT in 1996 when I was 26 from Birth Control pills, so I am
automatically at greater risk after any type of surgery. I was determined
that I wasn't going to have to be on Levonox shots when I came home or any
other blood thining medication. Any surgery puts you at greater risk for
DVT because your body doesn't want you to move it. I didn't go into
surgery fearing DVT but I made a promise to myself no matter what type of
pain I was getting out of bed and walking as much as I could tolerate. 2
hours after getting to the floor from the PACU, that's exactly what I did.
Most of the people who end up with complications of DVT after surgery is
because they don't get up and get blood flowing through their body. I have
never had any regrets to this surgery and would go through it monthly if
that's what someone told me I needed to do. Good luck with your journey.
Denise
— dlryanoates
January 16, 2006
Angie , Hi I was at risk for blood clots too my doc had me have some blood
flow test(?) and I didn't need the filter put in my vein , but I did have
to do Heperin shot for 6 weeks after surgery. They did not hurt one bit
either I swear. Also I walked as soon as I could. Best of luck I think the
suggestion to have your family go to a support group meeting is an
excellent idea it helped ease my husbands mind. Feel free to E-mail me
anytime. Pam
— sunnie
January 16, 2006
www.medscape.com/viewarticle/444393_print,
www-instruct.nmu.edu/hper/MTremeth/obesity.htm,
www.remedyfind.com/review_long.asp?id=3918&review_id=33447
These are a few links that you might want to look at. I hope they help.
— kizie23
January 17, 2006
You have received some great advice-- for many people who try to guide us
in our decision-making about weight loss surgery, there seems to be an
over-emphasis on the negative statistics, without ever comparing how risky
being morbidly obese is. When you compare those risks, you will find that
the risk of a DVT is relatively low, particularly if you are treated with a
blood thinner at the time of surgery (a protocol followed by many
programs). Also, I noticed that your doctor indicated that you would be a
good candidate for "open bypass". Yet, only a surgeon can truly
make that determination-- given that laparoscopic surgery entails (on
average) a shorter time on the operating table and an easier return to
mobility (usually within a few hours of surgery), there is a slightly lower
risk of having a PE following laparasocpic surgery. Many of us with BMI's
of over 60, and many women with extensive scar tissue (due to multiple
C-sections and prior abdominal surgery) have had the procedure done
laparoscopically.
— SteveColarossi
January 17, 2006
Do your research and find a doc who has done lots of surgeries and has a
very low mortality rate! Won't your insurance cover lap GBP? the
laperoscopic way is much less invasive.
— Novashannon
January 17, 2006
Blood clots are the biggest killer of early post ops. can be avoided by
getting up and moving as soon as your out of recovery and walking every
day. couch potatoes are the big risk. I suggest you look into LAP RNY. lap
surgery leaves you feeling better faster so its easier to move around,
avoids the 1/3 of opens get at least one incisional hernia too. Amazing in
july I will be out 5 years, I remember when subjects like this scared me
soo much.
— bob-haller
January 18, 2006
Ask your doctor about a vena cava filter. It is very painless, minor
sugery. I had mine done 3 days before surgery. It can be removed after
surgery, but you can leave it in place also. It will prevent death form
blood clots in future surgeries if left in place. If you were to get a
blood clot with the filter, they would just give you med to dissolve it,
very little chance of death form the clot. I hope this helps to releive
your fears. Please feel free to e-mail me if youy have any questions.
Kelly
— kylady372
Click Here to Return