8 days post op and down 15.4 pounds. Started Stage 2 an hour ago. Why does the Protein drinks make my tongue tingle?

Last week today I felt like I had made a mistake. I felt horrible. Everyday gets better and better!

Phat, Are they going to take your vena cava filter out in a couple of weeks? Mine was removed at 3 weeks post op. I actually asked if I could keep the filter, but they wouldn't let me! I thought it would be a cool souvenir and I actually thought about having it gold-plated and wearing it on a necklace. It saved my life, so why not!?

I asked the doctor today. She said, it's up to me but it needs to be done within a month of having it inserted. The doc also said, it's okay if I want to keep it in. I'm still taking the Levonox shots. Ugh! I hate giving myself needles.

That certainly would have been an awesome souvenir!

How old are you? My venous doctor told me that I am too young to keep a vena cava filter in forever, that the risks outweighed the benefits. I'm 45 and he expects my life expectancy to be "normal" and the filter could clog up 20 years down the road. I had mine removed... and the removal was the hardest surgery for me mentally. I think it was because I would then be "normal" and I had no idea what to expect!

I'm 42. The procedure is done with conscious sedation. I'm actually a little afraid to get it removed. However, I don't want any trouble 20 yrs down the road.

This experience marvals me and reminds me that doctors are human too. It's amazing how so many doctors do things differently.

that conscious sedation was pretty cool!!