Pulmonary Embolism?

[Toyaboo22 51]

I had surgery on 9/12 and started having abdominal pain a couple days later. I figured it was Constipation so I called the surgeons office and they told me to take MOM and an enema. It made the pain worst and I never went. So at my one week follow up, I explained that I was in a lot of pain and I hadn't gone to the bathroom. They told me to take 2 bottles of magnesium citrate and a whole lot of enemas. That still didn't work. I was having a hard time getting my fluids in and was very naseuos. So last Friday night, I started to vomit and the pain was to much to handle so I came to the ER. They did an ultrasound on my stomach and later on my legs and determined I had developed blood clots in my abdomen and right leg. I walked like I was told to after surgery to prevent clots and this still happened to me. I've never had any issues with clotting or any family history of it. I'm still in the hospital but have been told I would have to be on Coumedin for at least 9 months once I'm discharged and I have to follow up with a Hematologist for further evaluation. They actually just stopped the Heparin drips and started giving me the Luvulox injections in my tummy. I'm still having constipation issues as well.

[Nick'sMom 54]

Wow, this is a little scary. I didn't realize that a clot could start so many weeks afterwards. I didn't do much research on this issue beforehand. I'm doing my Lovonox shots daily - i have 5 left - but I was thinking that once those are finished, I was in the clear. Hmmmmm, I'll have to keep a close eye on this. Thanks for the informaiton everyone.

[tessies 224]

Please try not to worry. It isn't something that happens often. I'm sorry to hear you had to have a transfusion. Just make sure you follow up with your doctors and report any bad pain to them immediately. Hope you have a speedy recovery. I know the first week is hard.

I saw that you had a pulmonary embolism had you ever had surgery prior to WLS?

[sunshyn21 20]

Hello all. I haven't had the VSG yet...still going thru the approval process, but for me the fear of clots is a very real one. I'm 2.5yrs out from bilateral PEs...blood clots in both lungs at the ripe age of 26. I'm not on Coumadin, just daily aspirin and I worry A LOT about clots post surgery.

[lessofmeismore 1,405]

I've seen here on the boards there is a filter they place before surgery if you are a potential for clots like previous clots etc.

Talk with your Dr. it may help alleviate some of your fears

[tessies 224]

I've seen here on the boards there is a filter they place before surgery if you are a potential for clots like previous clots etc.

Talk with your Dr. it may help alleviate some of your fears <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

No potential for clots. I have had the lap band, a revision, a removal and my gall bladder removed. Without incident I just am nervous because I'm going to Mexico for surgery and even though I have spoken with the doctor I am still nervous about flying. But thank you for the replies! :-)

[Kim Ster 111]

Its called a greenfield filter..............

[A Sleeve4me 26]

I had a IVC filter placed before surgery by my surgeon before he did my vsg. It was recommended by the pulmonologist during my preop clearance phase because of my high bmi. A bmi 50 or over it's suggested to have the inferior vena cava filter put in. They went in through my groin..no pain..just a little soreness after sugery.but cleared pretty fast. So far so good..it is designed to catch any clots in the large artery before they can travel to the heart and lungs. Can't tell its there. I'm 3 months out.

[kshepa 77]

I had a DVT in my leg in 2010 which I've been told is calcified. I went off Coumadin in Feb 2012. When it came time to have VSG in May 2012, my surgeon didn't feel comfortable with the clot history and had me get an IVC filter place the day before surgery. The Hematologist in the hospital felt a filter was enough and didn't start me on Lovenox post op. He even laughed at me having a filter saying it was "over kill"...he said that clot in my leg was old and wouldn't go anywhere....Well, 10 days after surgery my legs were both swollen huge and I couldn't walk!! I went 911 to the hospital during the night because the pain was unbearable!!! You guessed it!! Both legs had clots in popliteal veins, femoral veins, and iliac veins!! The groin and abdominal pain required IV Dilaudid for 3 days!! I was the hospital 7 days!! I had developed a blood clottting disorder and am now on blood thinners for life...my surgeon saved my life by putting on that IVC filter and I am so grateful to him!!

[Catherine Shinn Habhab 97]

I had a DVT in my leg in 2010 which I've been told is calcified. I went off Coumadin in Feb 2012. When it came time to have VSG in May 2012, my surgeon didn't feel comfortable with the clot history and had me get an IVC filter place the day before surgery. The Hematologist in the hospital felt a filter was enough and didn't start me on Lovenox post op. He even laughed at me having a filter saying it was "over kill"...he said that clot in my leg was old and wouldn't go anywhere....Well, 10 days after surgery my legs were both swollen huge and I couldn't walk!! I went 911 to the hospital during the night because the pain was unbearable!!! You guessed it!! Both legs had clots in popliteal veins, femoral veins, and iliac veins!! The groin and abdominal pain required IV Dilaudid for 3 days!! I was the hospital 7 days!! I had developed a blood clottting disorder and am now on blood thinners for life...my surgeon saved my life by putting on that IVC filter and I am so grateful to him!!

What a scary story! Thank God you are alive!!

[Catherine Shinn Habhab 97]

My surgeon said that he actually would prefer hemorrhage than blood clots...so he gives blood thinners before and after surgery. Neither sounds like fun to me!!

[kshepa 77]

Blood thinners are just a necessary evil with WLS, most times it is just being safe. A safe surgeon is what everyone needs. Not a gambling Hemotologist like I had!! BTW, it took me 2 months to walk again without a walker, but I am 7 mos out now, walking everywhere, working out at the gym, biking working full time, 90# lighter!! I now feel surgery was worth it, and have put the scary experience behind me!! Don't even want to think about surgery again!! The "girls" will have to hit the floor before I'll have a reduction or a tummy tuck!! Did you know PE is one of the top complications with a Tummy Tuck? ?