Starting to get really discouraged. My first choice of surgeons (Almanza) cancelled my surgery because my cardiologist told me I shouldn't go off my anticoagulant for the required 7 days pre-op and Dr. Almanza performs his procedures in a clinic, not a full hospital. I then contacted Dr. Garcia (who is in a full hospital) and he will only do my surgery if my cardiologist will let me switch from my current anticoagulant to another for 10 days pre-op. So I'm awake at 4am worrying that my cardiologist won't approve.

Has anyone else been through this?

Been there, done that, got the t-shirt! I had a blood clot in June, 2011. Started Coumadin and took it until my 7 days before my surgery date, August 30, 2011. My doctors had me take Lovenox shots for 7 days prior to my surgery AND I had a filter installed the Friday before my Tuesday surgery, then removed 3 weeks after surgery. I went off the Coumadin, took the shots for 7 days before surgery and 3 days after, then restarted the Coumadin. Luckily, the doc had discontinued the Coumadin before the removal surgery, although my clot factor was high during a blood test later and I had to go back on the Coumadin for 3 more months.

I also had to wait 90 days after discovery of the clot before I could have surgery. The filter that was installed DID catch two clots, which undoubtedly saved my life.

Not sure why you're taking blood thinners, but please be sure to ask your doctor about filters. And, the ready to give Lovenox shots are expensive, even with insurance, so you may want to find out if there is a way to mitigate that cost.

Good luck!! Even with all of the above, I'd do my sleeve surgery again!

Thank you so much, Lissa. Lovenox is what Dr. Garcia wants me to take instead of the Effient that I'm on because I had a cardiac stent placed in February (I only have to be on it a year). I was hoping the Lovenox would be inexpensive because there's a generic available, but apparently I'm out of luck!

I just really hope my cardiologist is open to this alternative.

Lovenox is a pretty common anticoagulant so your cardiologist will probably approve it as long as he/she feels everything else is fine. I was on lovenox for well over a year (my body could never get clotting regulated on Coumadin) and luckily my co-pay was $25 for a monthly supply. Otherwise it is sooooo expensive. Hopefully you will get approved and insurance will cover that part!

Kimmie

The reason why the surgeon is probably requiring this is that Lovenox clears out of your system within 24 hours. I'm not sure if this is the case with Effient but I know that Coumadin takes about ten days to two weeks to get out of your system. You don't want to have the anticoagulents in your system during surgery so it's safer to use Lovenox.

I can't see why your doctor would deny this as Lovenox is commonly used in the U.S. Also, if it gets approved by your cardiologist your insurance should cover the cost. I've been on it for seven years--I have a clotting problem that couldn't be fixed with Coumadin--and I've only had to pay the standard non-preferred drug co-pay. Out of pocket, the name brand will cost around $1,000 for a month's supply.

I would also see if you can get the levanox from Mexico, drugs there are a lot cheaper! Ask Dr. Garcia and see what he says about getting them there and taking them home with you if your cardiologist approves it.