Pulmonary Embolism?

[Sannah 258]

Hello,

I am curious if you've had a pulmonary embolism or blood clot located in another location? After meeting the surgeon today I feel like it is important to do a little more research on blood clots. The surgeon said that she feels like the biggest risk for this surgery is pulmonary embolisms, which can be fatal. I understand that this is rare, but my mind can not rest.

Have you had a blood clot? What happened? How miserable was it?

Thank you for sharing any information you have learned.

Best,

Sannah

[ready2bskinny 31]

Scares me too:(

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[Ready4success 380]

Hello' date='

I am curious if you've had a pulmonary embolism or blood clot located in another location? After meeting the surgeon today I feel like it is important to do a little more research on blood clots. The surgeon said that she feels like the biggest risk for this surgery is pulmonary embolisms, which can be fatal. I understand that this is rare, but my mind can not rest.

Have you had a blood clot? What happened? How miserable was it?

Thank you for sharing any information you have learned.

Best,

Sannah[/quote']

Hi, I've never had a pulmonary embolism, but I've seen patients get them in surgery. There are additional risks anytime a patient is significantly overweight. The warning signs or diagnostic clues don't change regardless of the patient's size. Meaning, your healthcare providers will see the same thing on an obese person, that they would see on a normal size person (some signs are decrease in oxygen saturation and unexplainable tachycardia). Prior to surgery, you'll receive heparin, and after surgery you'll receive more heparin. You'll have TED hose and SCDs, which are devices made specifically to decrease the risk of any types of clots in the legs. I'm telling you this to say that being proactive in preventing clotting is common practice by any surgeon. The two cases that I've seen, one patient developed an embolism after surgery and was an ICU admit, the other was woken up without having surgery, because signs of a possible embolism were present before incision. I think discussing the surgeon's plan to prevent embolisms/DVTs would be a good idea. I must add living an active healthy lifestyle is always a good idea in battling post-op complications, but there is no guarantee. Good Luck!

[Sannah 258]

Hi' date=' I've never had a pulmonary embolism, but I've seen patients get them in surgery. There are additional risks anytime a patient is significantly overweight. The warning signs or diagnostic clues don't change regardless of the patient's size. Meaning, your healthcare providers will see the same thing on an obese person, that they would see on a normal size person (some signs are decrease in oxygen saturation and unexplainable tachycardia). Prior to surgery, you'll receive heparin, and after surgery you'll receive more heparin. You'll have TED hose and SCDs, which are devices made specifically to decrease the risk of any types of clots in the legs. I'm telling you this to say that being proactive in preventing clotting is common practice by any surgeon. The two cases that I've seen, one patient developed an embolism after surgery and was an ICU admit, the other was woken up without having surgery, because signs of a possible embolism were present before incision. I think discussing the surgeon's plan to prevent embolisms/DVTs would be a good idea. I must add living an active healthy lifestyle is always a good idea in battling post-op complications, but there is no guarantee. Good Luck![/quote']

Hello,

Thank you for the reply. My surgeon told me I have to worry about blood clots for a month after surgery. She then proceeded to tell me that pulmonary embolisms are or can be fatal. Have you seen a pulmonary embolism post op?

If there is a blockage of this nature in our lungs are we not exchanging air molecules? Or does the blood pool and the person can essentially drowns in his or her own blood?

Does a pulmonary bolism mean death?

Sounds like maybe your a nurse? I would love to hear your input. I may ask my surgeonore as well

Thank you for sharing!!

Best,

Sannah

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[Ready4success 380]

Yes, I'm an OR nurse. Please do ask your surgeon about his plan to prevent embolisms. Knowing what will be done prophylactactically will make you rest a little easier. Preventing clots is actually a collective approach, and your surgeon, your anesthesiologist, your surgical team, and recovery team will all be on board with the doctor's orders. There is no way to guess who will have an embolism or who won't, so the plan is in motion before incision is made, and as I said before, it usually involves methods to thin the blood (under a controlled situation), and methods to keep your blood flowing while you're under anesthesia and while you're recovering. Depending on your pre-op lifestyle, whether you're an active or sedentary person, many go home on blood thinners to prevent clotting until you are able to get up and move around on your own. This is the reason why the surgeon wants you to get out of bed, and start walking as soon as possible after surgery. Active movement along with your doctor's plan are the best ways to prevent clotting. At your next appointment, ask your surgeon all about what he/she does to prevent embolisms, and on the day of surgery, you can ask the anesthesia personnel too. YOU are an active partner in your care, so don't be afraid to ask. Good Luck!

[Rootman 1,101]

A PE is a risk for ANY surgery and in fact a risk from living a sedate lifestyle - that is being overweight and doing nothing but sit around. In fact my guess is you are at a far greater overall risk by remaining obese than having the operation, but that's just a guess. Some docs prescribe blood thinners post op to help avoid it.

[evonnrae 39]

I actually have a history of PE...non surgical related and I live a very active life. I am currently on coumadmin for life. This was one of my main questions and concerns to my surgeon and pcp. Because of many history I am already at a higher risk of dot or PE. My doc will take me off of Coumadin prior to surgery and put me on lovanox before during and after surgery. It definitely frightens me yet I want to be informed as possible and take all necessary precautions to lower my risks given my situation

[Sannah 258]

Yes' date=' I'm an OR nurse. Please do ask your surgeon about his plan to prevent embolisms. Knowing what will be done prophylactactically will make you rest a little easier. Preventing clots is actually a collective approach, and your surgeon, your anesthesiologist, your surgical team, and recovery team will all be on board with the doctor's orders. There is no way to guess who will have an embolism or who won't, so the plan is in motion before incision is made, and as I said before, it usually involves methods to thin the blood (under a controlled situation), and methods to keep your blood flowing while you're under anesthesia and while you're recovering. Depending on your pre-op lifestyle, whether you're an active or sedentary person, many go home on blood thinners to prevent clotting until you are able to get up and move around on your own. This is the reason why the surgeon wants you to get out of bed, and start walking as soon as possible after surgery. Active movement along with your doctor's plan are the best ways to prevent clotting. At your next appointment, ask your surgeon all about what he/she does to prevent embolisms, and on the day of surgery, you can ask the anesthesia personnel too. YOU are an active partner in your care, so don't be afraid to ask. Good Luck!

[/quote']

Hello!!

Thank you. . I have a Precor eliptical and use it regulary. So I consider myself to be moderately active. I also have an 11 month old who is very mobile, she keeps moving and on my toes too!!

Surgeon did speak to me about clots and how they are the biggest risk of this surgery. She also told me what they do to prevent them. This is when I started to feel more worried. I have a list for my next visit. I think we all have one thing we worry about more than others. For me it's clots.

Thanks for yor message.

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[iggychic 1,405]

As a mom who can no longer care for her child after surgery, I'd suggest that you also learn about the risks from internal bleeding. You can read my story in the story threads.

[minniemouse67 32]

I know this was posted a while ago but figured I would add my two sense. I was sleeved on 8/22. I developed a pulmonary embolism in my abdomen 3 weeks after my surgery. I was treated with Lovenox and Coumadin and spent 5 days in the hospital. Thank goodness this was caught because I could have died had it moved to my lungs, etc. Also since it was in my abdomen my spleen and liver weren't getting enough blood. I'm lucky there was no damage. I started with a relatively low bmi and was active before surgery. I also received a heparin injection before surgery to help prevent blood clots, wore the boots after surgery and did laps around the hospital like a champ as soon as I was able same day of surgery. I walked a lot when I got home also because I wanted to avoid blood clots. I'm not trying to scare you, the risk is small but if it happened to me it could happen to anyone. I have 3 kids and my youngest just turned 4. Thank goodness my husband works from home and was able to care for the kids. I felt so guilty about not being able to care for my 4 year old. I feel a lot better today than I did a week ago but I have to follow up with a lot of doctors and also have my blood monitored. I will have to take Coumadin for at least 6 months and maybe for the rest of my life.

[ready2bskinny 31]

Wow I'm glad you're feeling better..but may I ask, how did you know you had a clot?

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[minniemouse67 32]

Wow I'm glad you're feeling better..but may I ask, how did you know you had a clot?

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I had really bad abdominal pain and I was having trouble getting enough Water or Protein in. I saw a different doctor at my surgeons office that said it was from Constipation and told me to take Miralax. The pain just got worse and I knew there was something really wrong so I went to the emergency room. They did a sonogram and saw the clots. They immediatly gave me lovenox and admitted me.

[ready2bskinny 31]

Oh my thank God you went in time..this really scares me and I have surgery on Oct 10th :/

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[hawkihoops 20]

this is absolutely my biggest fear and I was sent home not taking my thinners because I had such bad post op bleeding, requiring a transfusion. hearing it is something I could still face 3 weeks out is terrifying to me. Especially if I m doing what I am supposed it.

[minniemouse67 32]

this is absolutely my biggest fear and I was sent home not taking my thinners because I had such bad post op bleeding, requiring a transfusion. hearing it is something I could still face 3 weeks out is terrifying to me. Especially if I m doing what I am supposed it.

Please try not to worry. It isn't something that happens often. I'm sorry to hear you had to have a transfusion. Just make sure you follow up with your doctors and report any bad pain to them immediately. Hope you have a speedy recovery. I know the first week is hard.