Blood clot issues?

Thanks for explaining. I didn't have staples. I wonder if that makes a difference.

Yes you did.. internally along the staple line of your sleeve!

D'oh!

How soon we forget.

Some people get the injections. But not everyone. I didn't get them and I actually HAD a blood clot once. But it was when I went on hormonal birth control so they decided that I'd be okay with just the shots in the hospital. I did have to shoot myself up for 6 weeks after my second pregnancy though. (And probably should have after my 1st.)

Waking is also a good way to prevent blood clots and I did a LOT of that because I was so scare of getting one.

I was told to walk, yes.

I had to self-inject Lovenox for fourteen days after I got home, which resulted in 15 days if I include the shot the nurse gave me on postop day 1 to show me how it was done.  I've never heard of a Lovenox course beyond 14/15 days until now.

Thanks for explaining. I hadn't heard of this so it sounded strange, but not so strange after all.

30 days is probably overkill.  I think as a patient you need to be well informed about the risks of blood clots vs. the risks of the blood thinners.  Most people have an injection of a blood thinner only while in the hospital, or the day of surgery.  Some have to do it for 10 days, rarely does anyone have to do it for 30 days as a routine order.  For those with a long history of blood clots, yes! Absolutely!

Research the heck out of it and decide what you are willing to do and what you aren't.  Then talk to your doc about it.

If I had a history of blood clots or if it was a long and involved surgery i might be willing to do the 10 days.  For me, personally, I would not do 30 days.  It wouldn't happen.  But, you are not me and you have to decide what your comfort level is.

I've already had my surgery, over a year ago. If I had blood thinners it was in the hospital and I don't remember it. I was only there one night.

A thirty day standard sounds extreme to me, too.

My biggest surgery concern centered around blood clots. My sister had a PE following surgery a few years back and she's lucky to have survived. I needn't have worried. I received a dose of Lovenox on my surgery day - nearly bled out (which is rare) and ended up requiring several blood/plasma transfusions.


Not all surgeons follow the same protocol.