Cumadin Question (Pre Op)

[Photo925 100]

Hello,

So like many, I have been jumping through the insurance hoops since September, including weekly classes with Kaiser that will finally be completed on May 1st. So a few weeks ago, I had a blood clot that traveled to my lungs causing a pulmonary embolism. I was admitted tot he hospital where Ive been put on blood thinners for three to six months to prevent future clots. Initially the ER doctors told me that my surgery would have to be postponed while I'm on cumadin. The cumadin is monitored very carefully and I spoke with the cumadin clinic and they mentioned that there is no reason to hold off on the surgery as there are people that are on cumadin for the rest of their lives that have to have surgeries and they simply stop their cumadin a week before surgery and put you on Lovenox (a different form of blood thinner, the same you would use if pregnant) and then a week or so after surgery, I'd be put back on cumadin. Has anyone had experience with this? Although I hate the idea of having to wait even longer for my surgery, I will always do what the doctors tell me is safer. I just find it frustrating that they put you on cumadin for a certain period of time, but there is no test or scan that you can have to determine if your doing better. My blood clot was most definitely caused by birth control pills and now that I'm off of them, I know I need to watch out for it, but I've recovered amazingly well and I would just hate to have to postpone what I've had my heart set on for a year now!!

If anyone has had any experience with this, please let me know

[jalb 4]

Not sure about prior to surgery so it may be the same procedure where you stop for a few days prior.

I was not on blood thinners prior to surgery, but after surgery they did use an injectable blood thinner not lovenox but another.

As far as after surgery, there should not be an issue with blood thinners. I actually had ended up with blood clots in my legs and lungs about a month after surgery resulting in using lovenox and warfarin. I will be on the warfarin for about another 4 months, so there does not appear to be an issue with blood thinners.

As always please follow up with your surgeon and family dr or specialist.

[fostermama 63]

<p>Hello,</p> <p> </p> <p>So like many, I have been jumping through the insurance hoops since September, including weekly classes with Kaiser that will finally be completed on May 1st. So a few weeks ago, I had a blood clot that traveled to my lungs causing a pulmonary embolism. I was admitted tot he hospital where Ive been put on blood thinners for three to six months to prevent future clots. Initially the ER doctors told me that my surgery would have to be postponed while I'm on cumadin. The cumadin is monitored very carefully and I spoke with the cumadin clinic and they mentioned that there is no reason to hold off on the surgery as there are people that are on cumadin for the rest of their lives that have to have surgeries and they simply stop their cumadin a week before surgery and put you on Lovenox (a different form of blood thinner, the same you would use if pregnant) and then a week or so after surgery, I'd be put back on cumadin. Has anyone had experience with this? Although I hate the idea of having to wait even longer for my surgery, I will always do what the doctors tell me is safer. I just find it frustrating that they put you on cumadin for a certain period of time, but there is no test or scan that you can have to determine if your doing better. My blood clot was most definitely caused by birth control pills and now that I'm off of them, I know I need to watch out for it, but I've recovered amazingly well and I would just hate to have to postpone what I've had my heart set on for a year now!!</p> <p> </p> <p>If anyone has had any experience with this, please let me know</p>

Hi!! My mom has pulmonary embolism as well. Did you have your surgery? Was it approved? Any complications?

Thanks!!

[Keepgoing247 116]

I had 2 DVT's and did the Lovenox injections followed by Coumadin.

I had my 3rd pregnancy while on blood thinners. I had to be induced well before my due date so I was still on the blood thinners. Everything was fine.

I agree with PP. If your Dr agrees, I would go off the Coumadin for the week prior to surgery and do the Lovenox injections instead.

Good luck!!

[jalb 4]

Hi Fostermama,

I did get approved and was sleeved.

The pulmonary embolsim happened about a month after the surgery, plus dvt. But I have not had any complications since the surgery and so far am very happy I made the decision.

[ohh_mandyy 211]

Hi! I had a similar situation to you. I also had a pulmonary embolism and a dvt and was on Coumadin for a long time. I have a genetic blood clotting disorder. I had my sleeve surgery and was put on lovenox prior to the surgery and afterwards and had no complications. I was worried about the blood thinners and surgery together but the staff seemed confident that everything would go smoothly and the only effect I noticed was a little extra bruising.

[Tiffers4 3]

I had a DVT that traveled to my lung and caused me to have a PE and was on Lovenox injections, I got off the Lovenox injections after on them for a year. My hematologist said that I will have to be back on the injections for 2 weeks before my surgery. I talked to my surgeon yesterday and he said that I will need to be on them but stop taking the Lovenox the night before I go into surgery and then get back on them for 2 weeks after the surgery.