Surgery and Foot Pumps

sharon2u · August 31, 2007

Hi did anyone have to be placed in what they call foot pumps, these are inflatable things that wrap around your legs for circulation during and after surgery. Just wondering how those might affect some like me that has a lot of veins in the legs. Let me know

faithmd · August 31, 2007

I'm sort of lost as to what you mean "has a lot of veins in the legs"? Don't we all have veins in our legs?

Do you mean you have varicose veins? Shouldn't affect it at all, unless the varicose veins are very painful to the touch. But even then, the inflation/deflation cycle is very gentle and feels quite good to me. If you just can't tolerate pain that is caused once they are on, then mention it. You might buy yourself more Heparin shots, but I can't say for sure.

madfroglady · August 31, 2007

Yes and yes. I didn't have a problem with the foot pumps even though I have some painful vericose veins. (I also have a huge port wine birthmark on one leg which is full of veins/bloodvessels.) It was annoying every time I had to get up to go to the bathroom, but other than that, it was totally no big deal.

frog.

Ambrosia · September 1, 2007

I had them also and had no problems whatsoever. They actually felt good.

ShannonRT · September 1, 2007

I had them too, but found them very annoying. Didn't hurt, just made noise and kept me awake a lot. And someone would have to come in and help unhook them every time you wanted to get out of bed.

They're called Plexi-pulses and help prevent blood from clotting in your legs and traveling to your lungs, which as well all know can be very bad. So it's important to use them even if we don't like it!

faithmd · September 1, 2007

Or SCD's (sequential compression device) or PCD's (pneumatic compression device). PlexiPulse is a brand name of one of them.

Shannon is sooooo right on target, they are VERY important.

hf2havefun · September 1, 2007

I agree with Shannon. I had them too. Mine of course kept chirping throughout the night and the nurse had to keep coming in to fix it. But they didn't hurt they were just a little inconvenient, especially when you had to go to the bathroom.

sharon2u · September 1, 2007

I have little spider veins and the large ugly veins too, but since I have lost some weight they seem to be going down some. I was worried about the pressure of the leg cuffs as I call them and the pressure on the veins and it I could have problems from the pressure that is all. Thanks

claramae · September 1, 2007

I had the foot pumps. They were very annoying. Everytime I had to go to bathroom. I felt like I was strapped to the bed. They told me it was to avoid blood clots. Well, whatever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Telecia · September 2, 2007

I've had them several times over the last few years every time I get hospitalized for cellulitous(SP?) They are a bit annoying cause when you need to get up you have to take them off. But always thought they felt pretty good.

Wouldn't mind having them at home for when relaxing on the couch watching tv. They improve circulation and when filled with hot Water. Reduce swelling amazingly fast.

Guess I was lucky as mine didn't make allot of noise just a really low soft humm when they filled. And a soft hiss when they emptied. My CPAP made more noise. lol