Post Op Stomach Injections

[mlwoodall 7]

Hi! My surgery was on 4/4/2022 so I'm 6 days post op today. I was sent home with 28 days worth of Lovenox injections to prevent blood clotting. I understand how important they are and 100% plan on doing what I need to do with them, however, I am bruising up after some of the injections. I already have the bruises from the incisions which look ROUGH, but I feel like these bruises might be contributing to the chaos that is my torso right now. I also saw in the side effects and papers about the injections to contact the doctor if you start to bruise, but it's listed as a "minor side effect" and I don't feel sick or anything from it so I've kept on with them and will say something to her at my 1 week post op visit tomorrow.

Did anyone have these injections as well and if so, did you have any issues using them or reactions to them?

[Queen ApisM 427]

I had to do 14 days of Lovenox, 2x a day. Absolutely hated it but took every one because they are so important for preventing clots. It always felt like they burned when going in. I just dreaded them.

I did get bruising but nothing else, really. I'm not even sure I mentioned it to the doctor because it's a blood thinner so I wasn't surprised by the bruising occurring.

[bestdecisionmade 12]

We had our surgeries on the same day!

I have been a bit lax in doing my tummy injections. You've just reminded me to do mine!

My nurse said to change the location of each injection.

How are you doing otherwise?

How is your sickness, pain and restriction?

xxx

[ms.sss 15,267]

I bruised a little but only had to do it for 5 days.

You can try (1) icing the area just before injecting (2) insert the needle slowly vs fast jab, and/or (3) make sure to try to insert the needle perpendicular to the skin surface (i.e., straight down instead of at an angle)

Good Luck! ❤️

[mlwoodall 7]

We had our surgeries on the same day!
I have been a bit lax in doing my tummy injections. You've just reminded me to do mine!
My nurse said to change the location of each injection.
How are you doing otherwise?
How is your sickness, pain and restriction?
xxx

Oh twins! My pain has pretty much gone at this point unless I stretch too far or lean the wrong way. My nausea lasted the first two days and I took Tylenol for pain for the first four or so. I really miss sleeping on my side! I hate sleeping on my back [emoji24] How about you? Are you healing up nicely?

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[bestdecisionmade 12]

Exactly the same as you with the pain and nausea! I had my first night of side-sleeping last night hopefully you will tonight!

I'm healing really well - almost too well, because I can eat lots without feeling any effects!

I've had 2 pints of milk, 1 pint of tea, 1 pint of Water and 2 pints of chicken Soup today with no issue. What are you able to eat/drink?

[mlwoodall 7]

Exactly the same as you with the pain and nausea! I had my first night of side-sleeping last night [emoji4] hopefully you will tonight!
I'm healing really well - almost too well, because I can eat lots without feeling any effects!
I've had 2 pints of milk, 1 pint of tea, 1 pint of Water and 2 pints of chicken Soup today with no issue. What are you able to eat/drink?

This!!! I have been exactly the same, wondering if i'm taking in too much. Today i've had 36 ounces of Water, 2 Protein Shakes (11 ounces each), 8 ounces of flavored water, and 3 ounces of Soup. And it's only 3 p.m. here. They said aim for at least 64 ounces of water each day.

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[bestdecisionmade 12]

That is so reassuring to hear... 😅

I guess (or hope!) it will change when we start on solid food, because it won't "go through" us like liquid does?

When will you start on puree and soft foods? I'll start puree in a week and then soft foods a week after that.

Have you lost much weight in the last week?

I was away from my little brood for a week, as I recovered in peace and quiet at my brother's home. When my eldest boy saw me yesterday, he said "Wow, mum! You look so different!" 😍

[mlwoodall 7]

That is so reassuring to hear... [emoji28]
I guess (or hope!) it will change when we start on solid food, because it won't "go through" us like liquid does?

When will you start on puree and soft foods? I'll start puree in a week and then soft foods a week after that.
Have you lost much weight in the last week?
I was away from my little brood for a week, as I recovered in peace and quiet at my brother's home. When my eldest boy saw me yesterday, he said "Wow, mum! You look so different!" [emoji7]

Oh yes, I haven't had any Constipation with all these liquids [emoji28] I think my plan is the same as yours. Liquids for another week then the day after Easter (4/18) I can start pureed and soft foods. I'm looking forward to some scrambled eggs lol.
I honestly haven't weighed myself since the morning of surgery. I'm prone to becoming obsessive with the scale and the numbers so i'm trying to wait until I go to my follow up appointment tomorrow.

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[bestdecisionmade 12]

Good plan on not weighing yourself - and I'm the same.

The unpredictability of the scales is too high, in my opinion. You might have a stall in your numbers over two weeks, but you could go down half a dress size over the same time period. Our bodies and physiology is complex and there are so many contributing factors to the numbers that flash up on the screen.

For that reason, I only measure my weight loss by how my clothes fit and feel.

It's been great chatting to you tonight! I hope your follow up appointment goes well tomorrow. Mine is 7 weeks away! 😮 Not sure if I should be worried or reassured by that! Ha! xxx

[mlwoodall 7]

Good plan on not weighing yourself - and I'm the same.
The unpredictability of the scales is too high, in my opinion. You might have a stall in your numbers over two weeks, but you could go down half a dress size over the same time period. Our bodies and physiology is complex and there are so many contributing factors to the numbers that flash up on the screen.
For that reason, I only measure my weight loss by how my clothes fit and feel.
It's been great chatting to you tonight! I hope your follow up appointment goes well tomorrow. Mine is 7 weeks away! [emoji50] Not sure if I should be worried or reassured by that! Ha! xxx

Good luck and hang in there! Solid foods are in sight

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[GradyCat 3,693]

This is the first I've ever heard about sending a patient home with blood-clotting injection medication.

[liveaboard15 1,293]

Injections after surgery? WTF lol no one told me about this. I have surgery on the 18th. I do know about the injection they give you in the hospital to prevent blood clots but i didnt know that they prescribe that beyond your stay at the hospital... This is gonna suck bad if they do that to me because i hate needles with a passion

[catwoman7 11,179]

I didn't have to do it - they did it to me in the hospital, but I wasn't sent home with any. Bruising is pretty common with that, though.

[Lynnlovesthebeach 625]

1 hour ago, liveaboard15 said:

Injections after surgery? WTF lol no one told me about this. I have surgery on the 18th. I do know about the injection they give you in the hospital to prevent blood clots but i didnt know that they prescribe that beyond your stay at the hospital... This is gonna suck bad if they do that to me because i hate needles with a passion

Not everyone has to take injections at home. My doctor prescribed Eliquis which is taken by mouth. Even in the hospital, once I was up walking around, they stopped the injections and gave me the oral meds.