I was sleeved on Oct. 1st and did good for the first week. The second week I started to go downhill ...quick. I had extreme pain in my lower back and right side near my ribs. I just assumed it was gas pain combined with my already low pain tolerance. Finally, the pain got so bad, and so constant, I checked myself in to the Emergency Room at the nearest hospital. There, they discovered I had blood in my urine, and ordered a CT Scan. Almost immediately after the CT Scan, the doctor came back and told me they discovered blood clots in a very unusual place: the arteries going from my spleen and my liver, as well as my lungs.

I spent the night in the hospital and the kept me on an anti-clotting drug called Coumadin, and dilaudid for pain. They paged my surgeon who came in first thing the next morning to tell me he had been brainstorming with numerous other doctors on what went wrong and what could be done to save my life.

He told me the hospital I was currently at did not have the team of doctors nor the medical equipment necessary to help me. So I was immediately transported by ambulance to another hospital in Denver.

To say the least, I was TERRIFIED. Immediately upon arrival at the new hospital I went straight to the ICU where my husband and grandmother were waiting. They spared no time in getting me prepped for the first of three surgeries to remove the clots.

I remember only bits and pieces after that. Mostly just the extreme pain, and fear. I remember being so weak, and my husband and grandmother stayed by my side the entire time. (Backstory: my grandma raised me, so she is more like my mom.)

My husband brushed my hair, held my hand while they poked me endlessly with needles, and even brushed my teeth. One memory I have was right after my second surgery, and being so afraid, so I asked my grandma to hold my hand.

Thanks to God and my team of doctors, upon completing the third surgery, all blood clots (with the exception of the one in my lung) were removed. I was then able to get out of the ICU and into a private room.

Then the hardest part began: finding out why this happened. Every day for two weeks they drew blood two, sometimes three, times per day; sending the samples to various places around the country for testing.

Finally, they found the answer. I am part of 2% of the nation that is a carrier for a genetic mutation/blood disorder called Prothrombin 20210a. I'm 31 years old and have never had any symptoms. But the only way of knowing about this genetic mutation would have been for me to have genetic testing done prior to surgery (which is extremely expensive and most health insurance companies do not cover that). Also, six years ago I had surgery to remove my gallbladder and had ZERO issues.

The moral of the story is this: There are risks for any surgery. It's not my surgeon's fault, it's not my own fault. It it what it is. Would I go through the surgery now, even knowing about my blood disorder? I would have to talk to my surgeon to see if, knowing my problem, there would have been any precautions that could have been taken to avoid me almost losing my life, or see if my surgeon would even think I could be a candidate for the sleeve surgery.

Bottom line is, I'm happy to be alive. I'm happy to be blessed with so many people that love and care about me.

Just know that no matter how much planning we do, there are always risks involved.

Omg how scary!! Especially for it to keep coming back! I also am on blood thinners for the rest of my life (xarelto). I am very happy you made it through your ordeal. I hope you continue to improve!!!

My hematologist is planning to put me on Xarelto too. I think it will be much better than warfarin. As good as a blood thinner can be I guess! LOL They are an adjustment, but it all gets better with time.

Glad your on the mend! Where in Denver are you located? I'm in Aurora' date=' there are a few of us around this board... It would be fun to do a meet and greet[/quote']

I'm in Thornton. I first went to North Suburban, then was transported to Rose Medical. I agree it would be awesome for us all to get together!

I'm in Thornton. I first went to North Suburban' date=' then was transported to Rose Medical. I agree it would be awesome for us all to get together![/quote']

I'm headed to Rose Medical tomorrow for panniculectomy and hernia surgery. Nervous but excited, we should plan a meet and greet.

So glad that you are ok and well now!

My hematologist is planning to put me on Xarelto too. I think it will be much better than warfarin. As good as a blood thinner can be I guess! LOL They are an adjustment' date=' but it all gets better with time.[/quote']

With warfarin do you have to go have weekly blood tests?

I'm headed to Rose Medical tomorrow for panniculectomy and hernia surgery. Nervous but excited' date=' we should plan a meet and greet.[/quote']

That is such a great hospital! I am totally down for a get together!

I am glad you had your hubby and grandma by your side!

With warfarin do you have to go have weekly blood tests?

They do test frequently, but as long as I maintain a level for a while they will space out the time between. Right now I am spaced at a month because my INR didn't change much while I was off it for surgery. ( which is good) My only problem is my hematologist and my PCP (who manages my warfarin) have differing opinions on what level my INR should be. My hematologist wants me at a higher INR. He said because I continued to clot while being treated he believes I need even "thinner" blood. But my PCP does NOT like me at a higher dose and thinks it unsafe. I will say when I was put on a higher dose I bruised quite badly (worse than usual) and had other stuff happen. So I feel better at the INR level my PCP has me at, although I guess I could still clot.