My BMI is over 50. I'm 38 years old and have many debilitating diseases. To many to name and explain but my main one is I have a blood clotting disorder called Protein S &C deficiency. I want WLS and I'm determined to get it. My family is totally against it and are worried about me getting a clot (I've had 5). I need advice on how to convince my family that this is a good option. Also has anyone had a blood clotting disorder and successfully made it thru the surgery. Thank you all so much!

You might not be able to talk your family into approving so prove to them by showing them the amazing results of good health and confidence! Sounds like you get the clots before  surgery and it’s possible you will get them after so I guess the risk is there either way. I dont have a blood clot disorder, but my surgeon and the hospital went above and beyond to make sure I didn’t get one. Shots in my belly 3x a day of heparin, leg pumps on while not walking, and encouraged to walk as often as possible. Hopefully knowing you are do high risk they would be extra cautious. When I was at the point you are health wise I was like I have lost enough already and this surgery was an opportunity to give me my life back and it did just that! Your families concerns and fears are justified, but ultimately in the end they can watch you fight for your life right now or doctors try to save it later.

Thank you for your encouraging words!

Maybe talking to your surgeon about what their plan is to prevent clots, and having the surgeon work with your specialist who manages your clotting disorder is a good idea. Then you can tell your family you've done your homework. That may not help; families worry! Good luck!

I would ask the surgeon in detail what they will do to prevent clots and then either explain it to family or ask someone to go with you and have surgeon help explain.

I would definitely make sure your hematologist becomes a part of your surgical team to ensure your safety and prevent clotting issues. He can provide guidance to you and your WLD team. My husband has Factor 5 Leiden which was diagnosed after he developed extensive bilateral pulmonary emboli (blood clots in his lungs), found he had bilateral clots in both legs (no symptoms at all) while in hospital recovering from a heart attack. I insisted on a hematology consult because he was receiving heparin shots twice daily and was on daily aspirin and Brilinta (given after cardiac stent placement to keep platelets from clogging the new stent causing another heart attack) and should not have been making clots! Hematologist did the necessary tests and found the factor 5 Leiden. It’s an inherited disorder so now his mom’s death made more sense…she died due to extensive bilateral pulmonary emboli. We had our son tested and he has it as well. So far, he’s had no clotting issues we know of. However, he definitely needs to lose weight and will need weight loss surgery, I’m sure. I’m concerned about how he will do as well. My husband takes Eliquis twice daily and does quite well. He does not do well with heparin…drops his platelet count AND still developed DVT/blood clot in his leg! After my DS I received heparin injections twice daily but was discharged home on low dose Eliquis twice daily for two weeks. Sorry for the long post! Best wishes to you!