Blood Clots! 7 days post-op back in hospital.

slcmommy4 · February 28, 2008

Well, I'm 7 days post-op and back in the hospital with several blood clots in my lungs. I'm definately surprised because I had an abdominoplasy 2 years ago where I couldn't move for 2 weeks and nothing happened, although I did have the leggings that pump your legs every few minutes so I'm sure that helped.

I guess I'll start at the beginning, in hopes that if someone else goes through the same kind of situation that they atleast go get checked out just in case.

When I came out of the surgery I had serious trouble breathing which I know most people do, but looking back what concerns me is that I was the last one out of the surgery center, and there was only one nurse who was basically waiting for me to leave so she could go home. I was way too nauseated to walk around at all before I left. (My husband said when he had his they forced him to walk around right away.)

Anyway the next day I had to re-admit myself into the ER where I was staying because I could tell I wasn't breathing right and not getting enough oxygen and my chest hurt so bad. The conclusion was that I wasn't taking enough of the Pain KIller.The pain killer basically takes the pain from my lungs so that I am able to take deeper breaths and get my lungs working properly again. Meanwhile I was so nauseated I could barely walk, but I forced myself to do it.

I get home after a short stay at my sisters. The pain was pretty much gone after 4 days and I was breathing better, but at night I couldn't take those deep breaths you usually need to be able to sleep. Something just didn't feel right. The next couple of nights I was able to sleep a little better but when I would breath in or out at the end of the breath there would be a sharp pain in the middle of my chest toward my back .

In the meantime I felt like I had the stomach flux and can't do anything. After 3 days of this I decided to go into the ER. They discovered the blood clots and Fluid in my lungs. They asked me if I ever threw up or coughed severely that would have done it. I hadn't. They seem to think it happened during the surgery.

Now I'm in the hospital for 2 days and have to be on blood thinner for 6months.

HOnestly if I hadn't had the extreme nausea I wouldn't have even gone into the ER. So I'm glad I did. An interesting thing though is that I tried to call by doctor 5 times. One time before going into the ER the first time, 3 times during the week, and once before I went into the ER again. How ridiculous is it that I couldn't get a hold of anyone. Basically it goes to a machine where it has you push a button for and emergency, then it tells you the doctor on call, and it will try to page him, seconds later it tells you he's unavailable and to leave your number. I left my number twice and didn't even bother the other times. When you are sick and uncomfortable and panicked the last thing you want to do is wait for someone to call you back. I should of been able to atleast get a hold of someone. When I had an abdominaplasty 2years ago it didn't matter whether it was the weekend or the middle of the night I was always able to talk to my doctor directly. Very Frustrating.

I'm still glad I had the surgery, and apparently blood clots are common with the surgery, I'm just glad I have insurance for these hospital visits or I'd be in a lot of trouble.

I'm not sure how much I weigh rightnow but the last I checked I was 192 which is down 18 pounds from a week ago. I just want to get feeling good so I can enjoy it. Thanks to everyone who responded to previous posts. And good luck to everyone.

Apples2 · February 28, 2008

Thanks you for sharing your experience. We that have yet to have the surgery will know the symptoms if this should happen. I wish you a quick recovery and so sorry you had these complications. Take care of yourself and good luck with your weight loss adventure.

peabody · February 29, 2008

dear slc mommy4,

my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. did you have the compression devices when you went into your lap band surgery...just wanted to know for the benefit of anyone reading this who is considering surgery...my doc does a lovenox (heparin) injection and uses the compression devices

get well soon ...see you soon in bandland again

amanda

slcmommy4 · February 29, 2008

First, I want to say thank you for your prayers and concern. I really appreciate it. Things have turned out a little bit differently than I hoped. Because I was self pay for the surgery my insurance will not be covering any hospitalization or treatment. My hospital and ER bills are probably going to be around 7-10K and the treatment for the blood thinner which I have to inject myself every day for the next 6 mnths is going to be about $1000/mth. Don't ask me how we are going to do it. We are both students and have 4 young children. What I've learned is that blood clots are apparently very common under any kind of surgery, and once you have them there is no way of getting around it, you have to take blood thinner for atleast 6 mths or you could just drop dead one day. So I would encourage anyone thinking about getting the surgery is to have a back up as far as finances go, just incase. I didn't get the leg compressions with this surgery but I did have them with another much more invasive surgery 2 years ago, and I can't help but wonder if I had them this time if it would have made a difference. All they gave me for this surgery were leggings, that kept falling down by the way. So anyway I'm really not sure what we're going to do since we had to take out a loan to get the surgery. I guess I just want to say don't take the surgery lightly, even though it is very minimally invasive. I had to learn the hard way.

Good Luck with your decision

mhazelrigg · March 2, 2008

First, I want to say thank you for your prayers and concern. I really appreciate it. Things have turned out a little bit differently than I hoped. Because I was self pay for the surgery my insurance will not be covering any hospitalization or treatment. My hospital and ER bills are probably going to be around 7-10K and the treatment for the blood thinner which I have to inject myself every day for the next 6 mnths is going to be about $1000/mth. Don't ask me how we are going to do it. We are both students and have 4 young children. What I've learned is that blood clots are apparently very common under any kind of surgery, and once you have them there is no way of getting around it, you have to take blood thinner for atleast 6 mths or you could just drop dead one day. So I would encourage anyone thinking about getting the surgery is to have a back up as far as finances go, just incase. I didn't get the leg compressions with this surgery but I did have them with another much more invasive surgery 2 years ago, and I can't help but wonder if I had them this time if it would have made a difference. All they gave me for this surgery were leggings, that kept falling down by the way. So anyway I'm really not sure what we're going to do since we had to take out a loan to get the surgery. I guess I just want to say don't take the surgery lightly, even though it is very minimally invasive. I had to learn the hard way.
Good Luck with your decision

Before you pay anything, you should check with a lawyer. I was told that although the band can be self pay, problems due to the surgery are not elective and the insurance has to pay.

Gibson · March 2, 2008

slsmommy4, Wow, wow...I am so, so sorry to hear all of that. I would be financially devastated too if that happened to me. Maybe if you and your hubby have a pretty low income since you are both students you could qualify for some kind of debt forgiveness through the hospital? *hugs*

minock · March 3, 2008

sorry to hear your story. I too ended up back in the hospital. Actually 2 hospitals and one ambulance transport. I am assuming that insurance will cover the costs. I was told that it would by the hospital. I can't imagine having to pay for the additional costs on top of being a self pay myself. Please keep us informed of how it turns out.