Heparin Shots

I'm absolutely terrified of needles but these are very, very small and they only go into the fat not the muscle so they are not as painful. Just a pinch really, like a sting. I really wimped out when I had my back surgery and bought a tube of Emla and used it before my shots. Disadvantage it had to be on for 45-60 minutes to numb the skin. I finally just did it without it and it wasn't that bad but if your really scared by a tube of Emla :-) Good-Luck

Wow first I've heard of this. I had my vsg at a center of excellence and they do not make anyone do these shots. I did get several in the belly while at the hospital (2 night stay) and that was my least favorite part about being in hospital add they sting!

Couple of things go in to the decision of how long we have to take blood thinners after surgery aside from surgeon preference, etc. The primary things are our level of mobility and/or how overweight we are-the heavier or higher the bmi, the more likely we are to require longer course of heparin or lovenox. The less mobile, the longer as well.  

Hi

i had to take them 2 times a day for 14 days. It was not bad at all because you give them in the stomach (into the fatty skin). It doesn't hurt at all going in because it is going into thick skin. Once you do it a few times you will be okay. Don't worry. Just keep focused that it is only for a short time in the overall scheme of things 

My advice is to stick the needle in fast, but push the medicine in slowly.  The first time I did it, I did it fast and it hurt like hell.  After that, no pain at all because I went slow.

Thanks Everyone for your kind replies....Any chance any of you live in Illinois and want to play nurse for 2 weeks..  I'll give it a shot ~ no pun intended!

I did!  Mine were once a day for 2 weeks and, really, pretty easy.  It's just a jab in the tummy, no need to find a vein.