Scared of PE

[Dadams2102008 0]

Im so.scared of surgery and of getting a PE im not sure I wanna do it , I have surgery date in august what should I do ?

[FishingNurse 1,210]

Are you at risk for a PE more than your average person??

Blot clots post op can be prevented!

Learn the warning signs/ be prepared. But the chances are still slim.

You have an amazing chance to change your life I hope the CHANCE of something bad happening doesn't scare you off.

[SKCUNNINGHAM 298]

If you go to www.surgery.com, it will tell you the following (I got this from typing "deaths from sleeve gastrectomy" into my search engine)

The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery lists the complication rate in vertical sleeve gastrectomy to be relatively low, even among patients considered to be at high risk. Cumulatively the overall mortality (death) from vertical sleeve gastrectomy is 0.39 percent—lower than with traditional bariatric surgeries. (last updated 11/24/2009)

From an article on www.gastricbypassfacts.com, here is a extract from "How Does the Sleeve Gastrectomy Work?"

The risks and complications of the sleeve gastrectomy:As with all forms of weight loss surgery, the vertical gastrectomy does carry risk and these will clearly vary from one patient to the next and must be discussed with your physician. Complications might include:

• Gastric leakage and fistula 1.0%
• Deep vein thrombosis 0.5%
• Non-fatal pulmonary embolus 0.5%
• Post-operative bleeding 0.5%
• Splenectomy 0.5%
• Acute respiratory distress 0.25%
• Pneumonia 0.2%
• Death 0.25%

http://healthengine.com.au/article/sleeve-gastrectomy.html

This article quotes " The mortality rate in gastric sleeve is 1:500 and it lies between the gastric band, which is the safest, and the laparoscopic gastric bypass, which carries the highest risk."

So the first source says 3.9 patients out of 1000, the second source says 2.5 patients out of 1000 and the third says 2 out of 1000. So I would feel comfortable (based on these 3 sources) saying the death rate is somewhere between 2 and 4 per 1000.

If you are considering a surgeon, ask how many procedures he/she has performed in a year, and how many he/she has performed in total. Then ask the same two questions about how many of his patients died, and how many had PE's. This will give you an idea where your surgeon is versus the norms.

You can't go through life avoiding all risks. For me - the risk of dying of heart problems from NOT DOING this surgery and staying obese was much higher than the risks from the surgery. It was the right decision for me. I wish you good luck on making your decision.

[Wheetsin 714]

Why the strong fear? As someone already asked, do you have above average risk factors, or has it happened to someone you know, or...?

[Dadams2102008 0]

Thank you guys so much that made me feel better

[Missnurse 9]

A PE is totally preventable.

I asked my surgeon and he prescribes heparin until you leave the hospital.

It's a blood thinner unless its contraindicated with you they can prescribe lovenox.

Both are blood thinners.

Also, the hospital uses SCD's. (Sequential compression device) These are great little massagers. They have ones that

massage up to the knee and others just the feet.

[klus263 9]

My doctor standard of care is 14 days of daily lovenox injections after surgery. I hated to give myself those shots but I did it. It also important to keep walking as that is very helpful. We were required to start walking within 4 hours getting to our rooms and they wanted us to walk every 4 hours while in the hospital. Once I got going, I walked every hour up and down the hallway. Definately talk to the doctor and see what they suggest. Good Luck.

[myrori 55]

There are the injections that are the norm, then there is a filter they can place pre surgery if are of higher risk. My Ex husband has survived 3 blood clots despite my wishes:) If you know what I mean:)