Question:
High risk for blood clots?
What does it mean to have high risk for blood clots, and how do this happen? Can you prevent this for happening? — Toby2 (posted on May 12, 2008)
May 12, 2008
Hi Toby,
I'm new to this site, but I got an email today about your concerns about
blood clots. I didn't know there was such a risk, but my surgeon for my
gastric bypass said he wanted a vascular filter put in before he does my
surgery the end of this month since I'm rather imobile. I'm in a
wheelchair. So, I went to see a vascular surgeon and it will be installed
in a proceedure very similar to an angeoplasty I think is what he told me.
He will put me to sleep and go through the groin and insert the filter in
my main vein to prevent me from having clots go to my heart or lungs. You
might want to talk to your primary care physician or your bariatric surgeon
to see what they recommend. Hope all works out for you. I'll keep you in
my prayers.
Mary
— MawMaw56
May 12, 2008
Hello Nevalle, When your doctor tells you that your high risk for blood
clots make sure he or she gives you all the information about it so you
fully understand. Most of the time people with higher BMI have more of
chance for blood clots, but that's not always the case anyone could get one
high or low BMI. Also people with any kind of blood disorder can as well.
Its one of the warning that they stress to you in the beginning. Doing a
lot of walking and staying moving after your surgery will really help you
in not forming a blood clot the more your moving the better chances you
have of not getting one. I'm sure there is other ways to prevent it from
happening but as for me I had a high BMI and I have been known to have
blood clots before. I had an IVC filter put in one week before my surgery.
Its a tiny little filter that catches your blood clots (if you should get
one), to insure it doesn't hit your heart (it will save your life). Size
wise its very small as it just goes in your vain's so maybe one cm, it
looks like a mini orange parking cone or a witches hat (that's how its
shaped) with some claws on the end of it (that ensures it doesn't move).
Its a simple surgery and I was awake for 90% of mine, they went through my
neck and most WLS doctors will do it for you. When they tried to take it
out they went through my groin area. Both surgeries was in and out very
fast and pretty painless....kinda felt like I slept wrong and my neck hurt
very minor. I wish you the best of luck but ask your doctor a TON of
questions and I am sure that he or she will answer all of them for you.
— TattooGirl1982
May 12, 2008
Hello there...I was high risk for blood clots because of a previous
pulmonary embolism and everyone is at rish at developing clots during
surgery so you have to take precautions. I didn't go to the extreme of a
filter but my doctor put me on heparin shoots starting the day after
surgery and for one month following. Hope that helps.
— Mary G.
May 12, 2008
This is a good site to get your answers:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000156.htm
— waterlover
May 12, 2008
I was a high risk due to previous blood clots and my doctor ordered a vena
cava filter. Mine was put in 3 days ago and I was awake the whole time.
The only thing that hurt was the numbing shot. The thought of it was
scarier than having it done. Good luck on your surgery. Mine is 5/19
roni
— rentacar3
May 12, 2008
I am high risk for blood clots (DVTs) because of a pulmonary embolism that
I suffered in 2006 and the cardiologist put in a permanent heart filter
(vena cava filter also known as a IVC) so I didn't have to have one
inserted for my wls surgery. It is no big deal to have it inserted. When
you have any surgery blood clots could be a risk due to immobility. I am
on warfarin sodium the the rest of my life for these blood clots to keep my
blood thin so they can't make in my system. Before, I had wls surgery I was
taken off that medication and given lovenox injections and so far no
problems.
— dyates2948
May 13, 2008
Because I had a previous blood clot and I'm on Plavik, my surgeron made
arrangement for me to get a Vena Cava Filter put in right before my RNY
surgery. I showed up at 7 a.m., they put in the filter and after an hour
wheeled me to surgery. The hardest part of having the filter put in was to
lay flat on my back without moving the leg for an hour. Other than that, it
was easy. The best advise is to be sure and walk, walk, walk. Sitting
increases the risk of blood clots.
— SLittle1
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