Complications Update

[TXShannon 10]

Just thought I'd post an update. As I wrote last week, I was rushed back into emergency surgery after being home from my VSG on 9 August. I had bled into my abdomen, causing extreme pain and low blood counts. Two transfusions and a week later, and I'm doing much better. I'm still in the hospital, but if all goes according to plan, I get to go home tomorrow.

The culprit for my post-op bleed was a too-high dose of Lovenox (blood thinner). I have a genetic blood clotting disorder and a history of near-fatal pulmonary embolism, so my hematologist took a very aggressive approach to anticoagulation post-surgery. Obviously, it was too aggressive. I've been on a lower dose for about 5 days, and all seems stable. I still have to transition to my regular blood thinner (Coumadin), but I'm hopeful I can do that at home.

In spite of all of this, I have no regrets about this surgery. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Thanks for the support!

[Missy161 395]

Wow! So sorry you went through this! Hubby had something similar with his rny 11 years ago- very scary indeed! Glad you are on the mend!


Mich W
Hw 223, SW 217 CW 191 GW 135

[Bigsuzy1969 14]

12 minutes ago, TXShannon said:

Just thought I'd post an update. As I wrote last week, I was rushed back into emergency surgery after being home from my VSG on 9 August. I had bled into my abdomen, causing extreme pain and low blood counts. Two transfusions and a week later, and I'm doing much better. I'm still in the hospital, but if all goes according to plan, I get to go home tomorrow.

The culprit for my post-op bleed was a too-high dose of Lovenox (blood thinner). I have a genetic blood clotting disorder and a history of near-fatal pulmonary embolism, so my hematologist took a very aggressive approach to anticoagulation post-surgery. Obviously, it was too aggressive. I've been on a lower dose for about 5 days, and all seems stable. I still have to transition to my regular blood thinner (Coumadin), but I'm hopeful I can do that at home.

In spite of all of this, I have no regrets about this surgery. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Thanks for the support!

So sorry to read this! This is my main concern on not having the surgery. I have very thin blood and every procedure I have had in the past, I would not stop bleeding. Is it possible in your history to have had a blood coagulation test done prior to surgery. This scares me because I would be on self pay and cold not afford a cash complication like that

[TXShannon 10]

22 minutes ago, Bigsuzy1969 said:

So sorry to read this! This is my main concern on not having the surgery. I have very thin blood and every procedure I have had in the past, I would not stop bleeding. Is it possible in your history to have had a blood coagulation test done prior to surgery. This scares me because I would be on self pay and cold not afford a cash complication like that

They will always do a clotting test before surgery. And I was fine on that day. It was when they put me back on anticoagulants two days later that things went bad. But they also had to "over sew" my staple line, so I think it was a combination of things.

Do NOT let my story discourage you. Complications are rare, and the benefits of the surgery far outweigh the risks!

[Bigsuzy1969 14]

1 minute ago, TXShannon said:

They will always do a clotting test before surgery. And I was fine on that day. It was when they put me back on anticoagulants two days later that things went bad. But they also had to "over sew" my staple line, so I think it was a combination of things.

Do NOT let my story discourage you. Complications are rare, and the benefits of the surgery far outweigh the risks!

Oh, thank you for sharing! Because this has been a fear of mine! Thanks for your kind response and I am so glad that you are better!