I totally forgot to ask the scheduling lady about the filter my doctor was going to put into to safeguard against blood clots.. So I called her and found out he'd changed his mind and instead I would be taking lovenox for 2 weeks post-op.

I thought, oh ok. That doesn't sound too bad.. Til my wife informs me that it is an injection into my stomach! WTF.

I can handle arm injections, but just get queazy thinking about it lol..

Anyone else have to do this? Is it painful?

This is now the one thing I'm dreading most about surgery!

I had heprin injection into my belly and it was nothing. Hardly even knew it was happening. There's a fat pad there that is the injection site and I didn't know when they started or stopped.

I received injections in my stomach for 2 days after surgery. The needle was TINY and I hardly felt a thing. If i had to, I could have easily given it to myself (but the nurse did it for me).

I would confirm the size of the needle (thickness and length), but I'm sure it will not be anything as painful as what you're imagining! These injections are usually just subcutaneous (SQ), which means just under the skin. Not in the muscle like it would be if it was a rabies shot, for example!

Try not to freak out!

yeah, but I will have to do this by myself daily for 2 weeks, probably make my wife do it, she was a CNA. I hate needles.

My brother in law gives himself insulin injections in his stomach because he says it's less painful there. I'm sure it'll be a lot easier to have your wife do it for you.

It's probably going to be a tiny tiny needle, just like an insulin needle. Seriously, you won't even feel it. You just take the tiny little needle, removed the cap, pinch your stomach fat and push the tiny needle in. Done!

Try it.....it really will be simple. I guarantee it. It's all about mind over matter.

Okay, relax and breath, nobody actually likes needles, but it's really truly not that bad.

I have given myself injections in my stomach for a few years now for diabetes. There are children that have to give themselves injections in the belly and the needles are so very tiny. They will show you how to do it, and if I am not mistaken, it's subcutaneous so it hurts less than getting stung by a mosquito and it doesn't hurt as bad as giving blood, or getting an injection by a doctor.

I promise you it will not be as bad as you think! X my heart!

I did this following my hysterectomy. The syringes are pre-loaded and the needles are tiny. I injected myself in the thigh for 2 weeks. Since there is a spring, just press the plunger and it is done. The bruising was minimal, which surprised me, since it is a blood thinner. Once it is positioned, closing one's eyes and pressing the plunger could work. I like to look, except for blood draws...I can watch anyone's but my own LOL

Robbie

Hi, I hate needles too, but I figured that I'd hate the blood clot even more. I thought it would be bad, but I didn't feel it at all. You'll do just fine.

I had a DVT in 2009 and have had to give myself Lovenox injections many times over the last 3 years. I was freaked out at first, but it's really not that bad. You will feel a pinch but it doesn't last long. The nurses will administer it while you're in the hospital so you will get an idea of what it feels like there.

For my sleeve surgery I had an IVC filter placed AND came home on Lovenox until my INR levels became therapeutic again for me. I have been on Coumadin since my DVT and have to stay within a certain range. Lovenox is not that bad. You'll do fine! Good luck with your surgery and recovery!

Ok, thanks for all the comments.. still not excited about that part lol but.. I'll make it through I guess.

I took Byetta for 2 years for Diabetes and it is a 2x daily injection. It aint nothin'!

The shot does NOT have to be in the stomach. It can be anywhere on the body as long as that portion of the body is meaty. Arm, leg or butt.

I personally take it in the arm. Be careful tho not to rub it or it will turn into a lump. After you inject just wipe the area with the alcohol pad lightly. Don't rub, squeeze or press down on it. I REPEAT "Don't rub, squeeze or press down on it." those lumps will remain there for about few days to a week and they are bothersome.

Gluck

Lovenox comes pre-loaded with a syringe and small needle. You'll be fine

I am 9 days post op and found out two days ago that I have a blood clot in my leg (DTV). I have to do Lovenox injections every 12 hours for two weeks. My grandma is actually doing it for me and I can't feel a thing. Good luck with your surgery! And be careful with the compression stockings, if they bunch up behind your knee and make you really sore just take them off!

Lovenox, arixtra, heparin, fragmin, etc. is given subcutaneously. So, to the OP, the back of the arm, stomach, thigh would be fine.

Most of my patients report that the stick itself isn't bad but a few seconds afterward, they feel a stinging sensation. Be aware, most people develop bruising from the shots and this is normal.

Personally, I'm going home on arixtra for 2 weeks after surgery. While I'm a nurse, I'm an awful patient and cannot fathom giving myself the injections. Therefore, I've delegated my aunt, a nurse as well to be my shot giver. LOL