Filter is horrible

I had my filter surgery today to prepare for my bypass. It was horrifying. They had me awake. I am in so much horrible pain.my chest, sides and back hurt. I hope I feel better tomorrow.

What is a "filter surgery"?

 its an outpatient procedure to have an IVC filter put in. They do it for some people who have a higher risk for developing blood clots. I had to have one. 

You might want to call your surgeon. I had discomfort during the procedure but none afterward. Maybe someone else has a different experience, but I don't think you should be in a lot of pain from it.

You should NOT be in any significant pain from having an IVC filter placed.  They always have you awake (or at least everyone that I know was awake), but just give you a local and sometimes something to calm you and maybe make you a little drowsy (well, it made ME a little drowsy). Once the filter is placed, though the only thing that should hurt AT ALL is the entry point.  Call your doctor!

Lora

Oh good Lord--I've been told I will have to have a filter because I have a history of blood clots in my lungs--you're AWAKE when they do it ???!!! Why? Would they put you to sleep if you requested it? Oh man--the things I'm learning from this site !! 

They don't put you under general anesthesia simply because it isn't necessary (it is generally a quick, simple procedure) or worth the risk associated with putting you to sleep.   You will be comfortable and other than perhaps some mild discomfort when they do the initial entry (many people don't feel that at all... I felt pressure when he did the first leg (and hit the artery instead of a vein and had to put an arterial plug in) but did not feel anything when he switched to the other side and put it in successfully).

No need to stress over it!

Lora

 
I am having mine placed next Thursday.  

I previously had one about 5 or 6 years ago.  You should not have pain, other than discomfort at the entry spot in your groin.   

Here is an important piece of advice i can give anyone who has one.... Make sure you know what kind you have - whether it is temporary or permanent.    The one I had a few years back - they told me was permanent, however it was discovered 8 months later by a very observant doctor *****alized it was actually a temp one and had to be removed immediately - because if a temp one is left in too long (at that time, the timeframe was 6 months, it may be different now) than it can actually corrode into your veins making it impossible to remove. 

Fun fact.... Know how they remove it?  Via the jugular in your neck!  They fish a line with a hook into the jugular, down through your heart, all the way into the groin where placed, and pull it all they up through and out your neck.   And yes, they do knock you out for it.  

Good luck!

 They told me that the kind they used on me is designed to be temporary but it is also approved for permanent use. Not sure how many different kinds there are now, but that's what they told me anyway. But yeah, if you intend to have one removed, you can't wait too long or it will adhere itself. 

When the vascular surgeon talked to me about a permanent versus temporary filter, I was already leaning toward a permanent one since I have a history of multiple DVTs and the risks of a permanent filter are minimal, but when he told me about how they remove it, that settled the matter!  Ick!!!!

Lora