Did anyone have to get a Venae Cavae Filter?

nora33 · April 16, 2005

Hi everyone!

I had my pre op today and after the exam the nurse (the Dr. is out of town) looked at the results of my ultrasound and asked me if anyone had mentioned a "filter". The nurse said that due to an enlarged liver and portal vein, and a family history of blood clots, I would most likely have to have a filter placed in my inferior venae cavae to prevent pulmonary embolism, before I could have the surgery. I now have to do the pre op for this procedure one the 21st, the filter done on the 22nd and my surgery still on the 26th.

Has this happened to anyone else? Does anybody know what the heck this is?

leatha_g · April 16, 2005

I had a vena cava filter put in on the day of surgery, just prior to having my band placed. They put me to sleep once and everything was done all at once. I was the first and so far the only one I've heard of that had it done this way. It's a pretty easy procedure, but unless someone has a history of clotting it seems kind of frivolous to me. I had had both DVT and Pulmonary Embolism in the past and I still have the filter in place as a secondary prevention.

flower · April 16, 2005

The filter is put in to filter the blood to collect any clots that form in surgery so it doesn't travel to your heart or lungs it is a precautionary thing for your safety

hagerteresa · April 16, 2005

this is very interesting. I recently learned that my mom has some kind of clotting disorder that is hereditary and I need to think about researching it and getting tested. My mom has always had varicose veins in her legs as well. I never heard anything about this preventative measure.

nora33 · April 20, 2005

*Update* My Dr. office just called. My surgery is postponed. They had ordered extra blood test at my pre-op (14 test) and I have something called Leiden factor five. It's some sort of clotting problem, and the Dr. will not do the surgery until I see a hematologist (I can't spell). Tomorrow I meet the Dr. who will put in the filter, after that, I will meet with the nurse for my lap-band Dr. She will tell me more and set up meeting the hematologist. But until I get an all clear from the hematologist, I can't have the surgery.

On one hand I'm really upset that the surgery is delayed, I feel like I've been in a holding pattern, just waiting for my surgery. On the other hand, I'm pretty happy the Dr. caught this before I had major problems. But mainly I just want to cry, pretty lame huh?

Good luck to my former April Band buddies.

Iluvharleys · April 20, 2005

Awww sorry to hear you are having so many problems. Just remember it is best to get things done and fixed before surgery. And, as I always say "Good things come to those who wait". Hugs to you and good luck with your testing. Please keep us posted!