blood clots - is there a risk?

Sonia · December 7, 2004

Hello,

I remember reading when I was researching another WLS years ago (duodenal switch) about the major risk of blood clots. Over and over on the message boards they would remind you to walk walk walk after the surgery. I don't see that much emphasis on this here. Is there less of a risk for blood clots with this procedure?

Sonia

Penni60 · December 7, 2004

Blood clots are a risk with any surgery period. The reason there is more of a risk with the others is because of the time you are under and the actual way the surgery is performed. With the dudonal switch I think they have to actually open up your abdomen and with the lapband we can have it done laparoscopically. Anytime you do surgery as minimally invasive as possible the slimmer your chances of developing blood clots or other complications. But it is a risk with any surgery.

Hope this helps clarifies things.

Walking is good for any surgery recovery. IT helps recirculate the blood flow and it gets things moving, it gets the lungs exercised and helps get rid of the effects of the anesthesia as well. So walking really speeds the healing process along.

Sonia · December 8, 2004

Blood clots are a risk with any surgery period. The reason there is more of a risk with the others is because of the time you are under and the actual way the surgery is performed. With the dudonal switch I think they have to actually open up your abdomen and with the lapband we can have it done laparoscopically. Anytime you do surgery as minimally invasive as possible the slimmer your chances of developing blood clots or other complications. But it is a risk with any surgery.
Hope this helps clarifies things.

Walking is good for any surgery recovery. IT helps recirculate the blood flow and it gets things moving, it gets the lungs exercised and helps get rid of the effects of the anesthesia as well. So walking really speeds the healing process along.

Yep, your info helps alot. I am jsut trying to go through all the fears I have of getting this surgery and getting everyone's opinion. Thanks!!

leatha_g · December 8, 2004

As long as you get up and walk, walk, walk and you have no prior clotting issues, you should be fine. This is not to say that some could NOT happen, it's just to say that it's not as likely with this surgery IF you do your part in helping to prevent them.

Sonia · December 8, 2004

As long as you get up and walk, walk, walk and you have no prior clotting issues, you should be fine. This is not to say that some could NOT happen, it's just to say that it's not as likely with this surgery IF you do your part in helping to prevent them.

Heck I will walk from here to TImbuktu if it means I will be ok. LOL

claraluz · December 8, 2004

I think another reason that there is less of a risk of blood clots with this surgery is that it is a much easier surgery. With the others, people are in more pain and they are sicker after surgery. That interferes with their ability to get up and walk. With my surgery, I was out of bed and almost pain-free as soon as I woke up. I know I was lucky as far as the pain goes, but I think it is true that most people are able to get up and walk very shortly after surgery.

Nancy

HarleyNana · December 8, 2004

Gosh, that's all that's been on my mind today is, "am I getting a blood clot", I have a new pain up the left side of my neck and behind my left ear. It happens every now and then, but then it goes away. The only pain I had after surgery was the left shoulder pain, which still goes and comes. My incisions do not hurt at all. I move around a lot, but I don't consider it really walking. Does doing laundry count, LoL. Then someone told me to look for a red spot, that would be an indication of a blood clot. Then what did I find right next to my right temple, a red swollen spot. I think I'm doing it to myself. What do yall think?

DeLarla · December 8, 2004

One of the doctors were just telling me last week that the risk of blood clots during surgery is higher for obese patients. That's why they give us the tight stockings to wear before and during the surgery. Even when I was only 18 I was prepped for back surgery with these huge balloon-type-stockings. They were attached to a pump that kept pumping and unpumping my legs (like a blood pressure cuff) before and during my back surgery to prevent clotting.

HarleyNana · December 8, 2004

I had those on my legs from the time I returned to my room until the morning of checkout. Actually, I referred to them as my leg shackles. I guess I'll go walk, walk, walk...Thanks

blossom · December 8, 2004

I had those pump things on my legs until I got the ok to go home. HATED them!!! I wanted to walk, and would have gladly done it, if only they would have taken those things OFF me!!! Not to mention being shackled by a freakin CATHETER the whole time...

New Hope · December 8, 2004

Another reason to get moving as soon as possible is to prevent pneumonia. I got that after an open-method hysterectomy. Trust me, the last thing you want to do is struggle with breathing and continual wracking coughing spells after an operation! I only had to learn that lesson one time!

claraluz · December 8, 2004

Pat, if you are walking around the house, doing laundry (you're not lifting the laundry are you?) then you are most likely moving enough to prevent blood clots. When I was in the hospital, I had only gotten up to walk a little in the hall and go to the bathroom and when I mentioned a concern about blood clots, the nurse told me I had already moved enough to prevent it. Just make sure you're out of bed and walking around a little every few hours that you're awake. I don't know what the pain in your neck might be. Maybe one of our nurse friends might know. But I do know that there are a lot of new sensations, aches, etc. in the early days and it is easy to get worried about them, but try not to. Most likely it's nothing serious.

Nancy

Sonia · December 9, 2004

Gosh, that's all that's been on my mind today is, "am I getting a blood clot", I have a new pain up the left side of my neck and behind my left ear. It happens every now and then, but then it goes away. The only pain I had after surgery was the left shoulder pain, which still goes and comes. My incisions do not hurt at all. I move around a lot, but I don't consider it really walking. Does doing laundry count, LoL. Then someone told me to look for a red spot, that would be an indication of a blood clot. Then what did I find right next to my right temple, a red swollen spot. I think I'm doing it to myself. What do yall think?

No, No, please don't be getting worried about something because I brought it up. I am abnormal, worry about every little thing. Listen to the others here. You are already moving about. Hell, even when I am feeling 100% you gotta force me to do laundry. You must be feeling great!!

Sonia

leatha_g · December 9, 2004

I have had several clots in both legs and one in my lung. I can tell you that there was never any red 'spot'. lol. There was definitely a red 'area' below where my 'superficial' clots was. The real dangerous clot in the major artery NEVER had any red spot, but it sure did swell to where I couldn't bend it enough to put my own shoe on.

If you had a clot in one leg, you would notice severe 'unilateral' swelling - which means one-sided, not both.

But, please, please, please let me warn you of sitting for hours on end at your computer/desk etc. You need to move far more often than every so many hours. You need to move at least every 20 minutes or so. Do not be sitting on your legs bent up under you. Do not be sitting straight up bent at the groin for hours on end. DO put your feet up if you are going to be lying on the couch. DO flex your feet as often as you think about it, if you are not going to be walking.

Most likely, that initial recovery period is the most dangerous, but it is not by any means the 'only' time you can develop a clot. Those airplane rides back from Mexico? Probably your most vulnerable period. Flying + recent surgery?? Wow....

I've heard of some docs prescribing Lovenox for the first few days. Seems like even a chewable baby aspirin would be a helpful precaution, however, we're not hearing many/if any reports of blood clots after gastric banding at all. That's a good thing!