I have an instance of blood clotting in my past. My left leg was completely blocked and badly.

How would this affect my surgery?

I also had a Vena filter put into my main artery to cut up any larger clots. This was all about 3 years ago.

Of course I know I need to speak to my doctor about it but I am sure I am sure that with a site this large someone has experienced this issue.

I am NO medical professional so like you said you definately need to make sure your medical team knows about your past...but...in my case, I wasn't under for very long and then I was up and walking around within an hour of coming out of anesthesia so I'm not sure that the risk of clotting would be that high. You can and should be pretty darn active immediately following surgery so it's not like a procedure that requires official "bed rest" afterward. Plus, I know my hospital gave me anti-clotting drugs and made me wear those special stockings just to be safe. I hope all works out well for you! Good luck!

They are much more aware of it these days and take good precautions against it happening.

Just be sure to tell your doc so that proper precautions can be taken. I have a blood clot history (pulmonary embolism) and my doctor is aware of it and will take all the necessary precautions, and watch closely for signs of my blood thickening. Good luck!!!

I have a past history of both DVT and PE. I also had the vena cava filter introduced at the time of my banding surgery. Everything went fine and I've had NO clotting problems whatsoever since surgery. I am also on lifelong Coumadin therapy to keep clots from forming. It can be done. Will ALL bariatric surgeons agree to do it? Nope. But there are those who will.

Thank you for the question and the responses!!! I too have a blood disorder that requires a life with coumadin (Factor V Leiden) but have not had a DVT or PE... knock on wood! I have been wondering if anyone out there has gone throught the lap-band surgery while on a blood thinner treatment and I am releived to find out... YES. And it appears no bleeding or clotting incidents post surgery!!! Yeay!!! :clap2: I am very relieved to hear. I have been second quessing myself. I am schedule for surgery on Jan. 2, 2007 and have been wondering if I am taking too high of a risk. Though I am at a high risk without the surgery due to weight. (BMI 48) I keep going back and forth. Anyway thank you for your posts.

TammyN

I also have a history of PE and dvt and am on coumadin for life. It was a major reason i chose the band- much less intrusive surgery. They took me off of coumadin for a few days before surgery and after I went right back on and also did the lovenox shots for a week till my level was where it should be again. Just be aware that the levels will change a lot in the first 6 months- I was having INR's almost weekly for awhile.

After surgery I just loved those sexy tight leg stocking things...hmmm NOT! they were so uncomfortable...But good to know that the drs take precautions from blood clots etc.

Becky

In July of 2000 I had a massive PE that went thru my heart and lodged in my lung blocking my pulmonary artery 100 percent. Needless to say it is nothing short of a miracle I am still alive! Had it not been for me being an advocate of my own care I would not be. The Dr I was seeing insisted at first I had bronchitis and would not send me for an MRI or C Scan...then he said pluriesy...but by that time my neck had swollen to three times its size it was almost too late. I cannot remember if I got an MRI or a C Scan. But when I got home there was an ambulance in my driveway to take me to the hospital!

Long story longer..I stayed on Coumadine therapy for 4 years and I never felt worse. Just felt sick and toxic all the time! I finaly pleaded with my Drs to take me off it! That has been a little over a year and a half now that I have been off that nasty drug Coumadine. My PE is still blocking my pulmonary artery 100 percent but my body has adapted and re routed and the Drs are not worried anymore. It was barley an issue when it came to getting my band. Trust me you say the wordPE to a surgeon and his eyebrows are going to raise!! Mine just made sure he got me out of surgery ASAP!