BLED OUT

 

Hi: I read a story about a guy for had VSG surgery and though he had

developed a leak in his new stomach. Come to find out that the medication Lovenox, which is a blood thinner to prevent blood clogs, was causing him to bled out. After going back into the hospital and running several test it was discovered that the medication was the cause of the leak and not anything the surgeon had done. If anyone runs into this problem after surgery, make sure to investigate this medication or any other blood thinning medications, before blaming the surgery it self.

If anyone has experienced a similar event and would like to share, it would be of help to all of us.

 

Thank You.

 

88   

Lovenox  is a powerful blood thinner, it is quite often given  post op for many surgeries to prevent blood clots especially in the legs or lungs.  The blood thinner will make the blood take longer to clot.  Anyone on a blood thinner needs to watch for signs of excessive bleeding such as excessive bruising, blood  in urine or stool, nosebleeds, bleeding gums.  Most people do not have any problems but just be aware.

 

Anne

I am 9 days post op and my hematologist has prescribed 4 weeks of blood thinner injections for me.  I have a clotting disorder and have to have this as a preventative measure.  I've had no problems whatsoever with my new Sleeve. 

Leak tests right after procedure is also know to create "bleeding"......

frisco

Just go with that....

frisco

Please elaborate Frisco.

My surgeon stopped blood thinner shots for me the day after surgery. I only had two or three in total. He said that they can cause bleeding along the staple line and he doesn't like them unless there is a history of blood clots or a very high risk. Otherwise walking 5-10 mins every hour was recommended to me and that is what I did. Grateful that I did not have the injections.

They also have something they can give you to stop the thinning, I had this happen before. I take coumadin all the time but was on lovonox before my band surgery and 2 days before the surgery I ended up in the hospital overnight to be given that. Another time I broke my leg and had to have it again to thicken me back up for repairing my leg. These are all things they tell you to watch for and if you take a blood thinner on a regular basis you know to watch for this.

They can give Vitamin K injections to reverse the effects of blood thinners and if it is bad enough you can also receive platelets.  Over the years of being an ICU RN I had seen significantly more problems with blood clots verses bleeding caused by Lovenox injections.  Anything can happen though but everyone should be educated on all medications they are taking and possible side effects.  Most importantly how to identify that there is a problem and when to receive medical attention.

I have a bleeding disorder and Have issues clotting.  I have to take meds before surgery so I don't bleed.  I was going to be given the shot and questioned it.  They called in the interest to discuss it.  It said it was better to bleed, which they can deal with than dead from a clot.  I have never had one before and they did only give one.  I did start bleeding from the gums and nose from it.