I had my sleeve surgery 4 days ago. I was fine taking the daily Fragmin anti-DVT jabs in hospital, but now I'm home I'm really struggling with the idea of doing them myself, or even letting my husband do it.

I have tried to find out what the risks of not taking the Fragmin are, but can't find any stats.

Did anyone skip their jabs?

Please don't skip them unless you have your doctors okay. You don't want a blood clot, trust me on that. Consider it as part of the process and make sure you don't contribute to a complication that's easily avoided.

I had my sleeve surgery 4 days ago. I was fine taking the daily Fragmin anti-DVT jabs in hospital, but now I'm home I'm really struggling with the idea of doing them myself, or even letting my husband do it.

I have tried to find out what the risks of not taking the Fragmin are, but can't find any stats.

Did anyone skip their jabs?

I gave myself the injection, in my belly, for 30 days post op. Make sure you do too !! It's gets to be old hat after a few days & doesn't even hurt ... I promise ????

They gave them to me in the hospital. The only way it didn't phase me was in my thigh/stomach with the skin pulled up and pinched about an inch. Didn't feel it at all. Don't avoid the shots. They could be life-saving.

I didn't have to do any of that and must have just had shots while still in hospital.

But do keep doing them if that's what they advised you to do. Subcutaneous (into the skin/fat) shots are not really painful - you're just psyching yourself up to thinking they are. They are a cakewalk once you get the hang of it. The needles are tiny and don't hurt.

I had to give myself shots for an unrelated condition - both subcutaneous and intramuscular (with a 2 inch needle no less) and I worried at first, then felt like a total badass once I got over the fear.

You can do this and you will be so proud of yourself for pushing through the fear and worry!!

My surgeon only gives them in the hospital. Perhaps you could call your surgeon and ask what about your specific medical situation makes them necessary?

I only had the shots while in the hospital. I would say, if the doctor says you need them, you need them. I would ask about them again, but blood clots are not something that should be chanced.

I was offered to skip it by my doc as he said I was moving around A LOT and very well 1 day post op. I cheerfully agreed. No issues for me, but you should follow whatever advice YOU are given.

My surgeon only gives them in the hospital. Perhaps you could call your surgeon and ask what about your specific medical situation makes them necessary?

Usually a BMI over 50 will require several weeks of injections. Better to be safe than sorry ...

I didn't have them I had an ivc filter placed instead

If your doctor told you to do it then you should do it.. I'm a RN and all my patients, no matter what they come in for, are on a blood thinner unless they are admitted with a bleeding issue or allergic.. You do not want a blood clot, it will put you right back in the hospital and you could possibly have a stroke...

Edited November 16, 201510 yr by Fame

Thanks everyone!

I know, you're all right, I need to do these. I really don't know why I'm dreaming about them, I have no problems at all with needles if a nurse or doctor is giving them.

I have emailed my surgeon just to check because I am very mobile and my bmi is lower than 50, but until o hear back I guess I'll have to grit my teeth and....????

Hugs!!

Thanks everyone!

I know, you're all right, I need to do these. I really don't know why I'm dreaming about them, I have no problems at all with needles if a nurse or doctor is giving them.

I have emailed my surgeon just to check because I am very mobile and my bmi is lower than 50, but until o hear back I guess I'll have to grit my teeth and....????

You've got this girl !!! ????

I knew people who went back and forth every day to the hospital to have a nurse administer them, because they just couldn't do it. Ya gotta do it, or find someone who will.

Take it from someone who has had DVT in the past, take the shots...take a deep breath, pinch the skin tight, place the needle against the skin, and push it in. Once you do the first one, you will be ok!!! I am pre-op for gastric sleeve in the next few weeks - but I had DVT a year and a half ago - been on Lovenox twice - one time for 5 days, once for 28 days - I gave myself all of those shots after I got comfortable with doing it twice a day! You can do it!!!