Vena Cava filter

[flowerchild 0]

I was wondering how many of you had this filter put in before surgery? I am having surgery 7/28 and yesterday my surgeon offered me the option of having the filter. Apparently they insist you get it if your bmi is over 50 or you are over 50 years old or you have a history of blood clots. I am 46 years old, bmi 43 and no history of blood clots so I reused the filter but now am worried about it and wondering if I made a mistake. They will put the cuffs on my legs to help with circulation and will prescribe lovenex for 10 days after surgery.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

I am 54. I had my surgery at 53, with a BMI of over 60, no hx of blood clots and no filter. If they left it to you and you didn't want it, don't fret. People DO get blood clots but if you do the lovenox, if you walk frequently, you'll most likely be fine. (thin people with no hx of clots can get them, you know. It's an odds thing, not a sure bet, just FYI) People who go home and languish in bed or are immobile are most likely to have clots. So if you need it, take your pain med, and walk.

I don't mean a marathon...just get up and move some every hour. :thumbup:

I wouldn't have wanted a filter either; they aren't uncommon though.

[flowerchild 0]

Thank you so much for your response. I am feeling better about it now. I think I keep having little panick attacks as the day draws closer. I am just going to walk as much as possible and use the lovenex.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

I understand. It's a big decision, a huge move (in the right direction, but still) and we all want to do it "right"...but are not sure exactly what that entails! I know you'll recover marvelously!

[Jenfs5 19]

My doctor and I discussed it, but that is also because I have an autoimmune thing that makes me prone to clotting. I do have a history of DVT and my rheumatologist wanted me to be on lovenox for a week post op. But in the end I did not get the filter, nor did I have to do a week of lovenox. I just had 3 shots while I was in the hospital. Of course I never quit taking my aspirin either though, even prior to surgery. I have never heard of the requirement of being over a certain age or BMI to get a filter though and 10 days on Lovenox seems awfully long for this procedure, but I guess that is why I am not the doctor. There are so many different opinions on pre and post op dieting that I guess it stands to reason that there will be diff opinions by the surgeons on this matter too...LOL. Good Luck either way you chose.