Thanks to those who responded with offer of information and help on my last question about irregular heartbeat. I saw my doctor today and had an ekg and she pulled up my records from May when I had my echo and stress test and told me it all seemed ok, the reports showed no signs of abnormalities, which furthers my belief that the cardiologist had his own agenda.

That said, I have a new question for anyone who may have experienced this. And, before anyone answers, yes, I do plan to speak to my surgeon before surgery about this.

My next question concerns blood thinners before or after surgery. I spoke to a lady who had the same irregular heartbeat as myself, and after her band surgery, she was put on Coumadin, a blood thinner.

She has been on them ever since her surgery, she has lost around 80 pounds, but my concern is more toward long term blood thinner use.

I have absolutely no desire whatsoever to spend the rest of my life or any part of my life on blood thinners!!!

This hasnt come up in any literature or any information that has been told taught discussed with me by my doctors, surgeons, nurses, anyone.

I had no idea this was even a possiblity until I spoke to the lady.

Anyone had this experience???

oh gosh, i have no idea. i do know that they give a blood thinner before each surgery to prevent blood clots in everyone. she might have had something else going on to require that she still be on them. does not mean that you will have to do the same. wish i could be of more help!

I don't think they give you blood thinners. They want you off of that prior to surgery because of the increase of bleeding. But I could be wrong. My doctor told me to be off of aspirin and blood thinners 2 weeks prior to surgery.

Thanks to those who responded with offer of information and help on my last question about irregular heartbeat. I saw my doctor today and had an ekg and she pulled up my records from May when I had my echo and stress test and told me it all seemed ok, the reports showed no signs of abnormalities, which furthers my belief that the cardiologist had his own agenda.

That said, I have a new question for anyone who may have experienced this. And, before anyone answers, yes, I do plan to speak to my surgeon before surgery about this.

My next question concerns blood thinners before or after surgery. I spoke to a lady who had the same irregular heartbeat as myself, and after her band surgery, she was put on Coumadin, a blood thinner.

She has been on them ever since her surgery, she has lost around 80 pounds, but my concern is more toward long term blood thinner use.

I have absolutely no desire whatsoever to spend the rest of my life or any part of my life on blood thinners!!!

This hasnt come up in any literature or any information that has been told taught discussed with me by my doctors, surgeons, nurses, anyone.

I had no idea this was even a possiblity until I spoke to the lady.

Anyone had this experience???

For what reason did she get put on blood thinners??

There is a big risk for blood clots post surgery, (thrombosis) more so for some than others. That is why they put the pressure splints around your lower legs during surgery. You might not have been aware of that.

I am on Blood Thinners - Plavix - but due to Cardiac Issues following a Angioplasty and Stent placement.. I also take a Beta Blocker to prevent any irregular or rapid heart rate, which makes me work twice as hard at getting my heart rate up to cardio levels on the elliptical. Kind of ironic.

How long this will go on I do not know. Not for the rest of my life though. I have had friends tell me they were taken off after 2 years.

I have not heard about anyone being put on thinners as a routine post-op practice. There must be some underlying reason, risk of blood clots? Elevated triglycerides?

Thanks for the replies, after I spoke to the friend today, I realized she said she was put on blood thinners after her surgery. For other reasons, she was only given a blood thinner before her surgery, as many are.

I spoke to several friends about this and they all said they werent put on blood thinners post surgery. Only during the surgery itself.

I guess I misread, or misunderstood, or jumped ahead of myself.

The reality is hitting me I suppose that I am only 12 days from my date, and maybe I am getting a little freaked out.

Trying to stick to the pre-op diet, my doctor told me yesterday to ease up a little, I was pretty much living on broth, yogurt, and bananas and Protein drinks for the last 4 days, she told me I can have some eggs and tuna and green veggies as long as I dont have starchy carby foods, or sugary drinks...for the next 4 or 5 days, then i need to go back on the stricter diet.

I think my brain was misfunctioning from malnutrition, just kidding.

Thanks for the replies, after I spoke to the friend today, I realized she said she was put on blood thinners after her surgery. For other reasons, she was only given a blood thinner before her surgery, as many are.

I spoke to several friends about this and they all said they werent put on blood thinners post surgery. Only during the surgery itself.

I guess I misread, or misunderstood, or jumped ahead of myself.

The reality is hitting me I suppose that I am only 12 days from my date, and maybe I am getting a little freaked out.

Trying to stick to the pre-op diet, my doctor told me yesterday to ease up a little, I was pretty much living on broth, yogurt, and bananas and Protein drinks for the last 4 days, she told me I can have some eggs and tuna and green veggies as long as I dont have starchy carby foods, or sugary drinks...for the next 4 or 5 days, then i need to go back on the stricter diet.

I think my brain was misfunctioning from malnutrition, just kidding.

I am one month out and was just put on blood thinner (levonox shots - 2 a day). I had a pain on my left side and some palpatations at the same time. They were afraid it was a blood clot. One of my blood tests also came up high for clots. So now I am on 2 shots a day. Not happy with this but have to do it as a precaution against clots which can be serious. Seeing a Pulm. specialist next week. Hope to get off them soon. CAT

I am one month out and was just put on blood thinner (levonox shots - 2 a day). I had a pain on my left side and some palpatations at the same time. They were afraid it was a blood clot. One of my blood tests also came up high for clots. So now I am on 2 shots a day. Not happy with this but have to do it as a precaution against clots which can be serious. Seeing a Pulm. specialist next week. Hope to get off them soon. CAT

have you had your band, i wasnt sure??

have you had your band, i wasnt sure??

Yes I was banded 7/25. Had a real easy time with the surgery. All went well....walking a few hours after surgery. This pain on my left side just started 2 days ago and I thought I should tell my surgeon in case it was band-related. When I did they sent me to the ER for some Xrays and they all this about a possible blood clot started. It really feels like a muscle ache to me.....but I could be wrong. Sooooo, I am listening to them and taking the levonox until I see a Lung specialist on Tuesday. I do not want to be on blood thinners longer than I have to. Good luck with your surgery ......I'm sure everything will be fine. CAT