Blood Clots after tt - ThinnerTimes

minime · 05-12-2008, 11:44 PM

I have a TT and Breast lift scheduled for June 10. I'm going in for the pre op on Monday. I'm worried because a man from my town died from a blood clot after a Tummy Tuck here a few months ago. And when I told my neigbor I was doing it the other day she told me that her sister in law, 30 yrs old, also died from a blood clot after a tummy tuck. My mother doesn't want me to do it.

My surgeon talked like his office had pioneered a new technique whereby the patient received a shot of lovinox before the proceedure, and maybe after, I can't remember. Anyway he says that out of 4000 surgeries in his practice with other doctors, they've only had two blood clots and the patients didn't die. He's in the Houston area, Dr. Mentz.

Does anyone know about this being done. It sounds like pretty good odds to me. Is it just a fluke that I've heard about two close around me recently, or do you guys hear about people dying from TT also?

Just curious.

Minime

Jeanie · 05-13-2008, 09:46 AM

When I had mine done I got blood thinner shots at home for3 or 5 days I can't remember which. I have a very good friend that is a nurse so she came over to give me the shot every night. I say if you are that worried about it you should ask the doc if you can take blood thinners at home also.

MiladyB · 05-13-2008, 10:50 AM

With ANY surgery there is a risk of getting a blood clot. It doesn't make any difference what kind it is. There are things that doctors can do to hopefully prevent it but it isn't an absolute. Giving Lovenox or Heparin just before and after is one thing. Also using the SCD stockings...the compression ones, before, during and after surgery is the other. And then the best thing you can do is make sure you get up and do alot of walking. Don't lay around in bed any more than absolutely neccesary. When you are in bed pump your ankles up and down like every hour.

Personally I wouldn't let the risk of a blood clot keep you from having the surgery. Like I said that risk is there no matter what kind of surgery you are having, you just need to do your part to try to prevent them from happening.

Cherylharr · 05-14-2008, 08:23 AM

Hi,

Everything that MiladyB said is very true. So, regardless of the surgery, patients in general are at risk.

I had pnuemonia and pluerisy in November 2006, and went on to develop several blood clots !! I was 41 years old. It wasnt until I developed the clots that the hospital decided to give me heparin (an anti coagulant, also used over here is clexone and warfarin). They should of put the hospital stockings on me too, but didnt. I guess that was a case of..'after the horse has bolted'

I have a very strong family history of blood clots. My father had one, so did my mums' sister and my mum dropped dead of one in 2005!! So, let me tell you, it was the worse thing I could of been told when I was diagnosed...I never thought I would ever come to terms with it...but you have to. I had to give up alcohol and cigarettes. I was that fearful of dieing I managed it. I take warfarin daily and have had several proceedures involving an aneasthetic, plus I am now going ahead with lap RNY bypass (June I hope).

I think it is just bad luck and rubbish timing that you have heard of 2 people dieing recently of blood clots. It is quite a common health issue over here in the UK.

The heparin is usually injected into the stomach, and they are quite painful, in my opinion, but hey, I was just glad to be alive....I have a morbid fear of needles but I just had to suffer it in silence, no point in me whimpering and whining to the nurse, it just had to be done, so it was one of those 'wake up calls' that makes us stop and reflect on 'what would you rather?' My left lung had been drained manually by an ultra long hypodermic needle (resembles a large knitting needle) earlier that day, as well as they had to check my blood gases from a main artery.....so just 'go for it', I felt like a pin cushion.

So, my point to you is this.....just go with it, speak with your surgeon, relax about the op, and maybe be a little more vigilant with the hospitals proceedures with DVT's and PE's.

I wish you the very best for your surgery.

Cheryl xx

lealphachienne · 05-14-2008, 08:49 AM

People can get blood clots even without surgery. As previously mentioned, any surgery has a risk for blood clots. No worries for blood clots with me....I went the opposite way and almost bled to death because of blood loss and difficulty getting it to stop.

Life is risky! Chose which risk you want to take and run with it.

twodogsmom · 05-14-2008, 09:41 AM

I got lovinox for several days post op and had no problems. aLSo anti-bolitic stocking things that inflate to keep clots from my legs.

minime · 05-14-2008, 07:45 PM

Thanks,

Thanks you guys so very much. After three years, I can still get encouragement, opinions and answers here. I so appreciate it.

princesse · 05-20-2008, 01:09 AM

I was in the hospital in June 2006 with so many blood clots, they couldn't even count them. Hence the WLS...Anywho, I had to be in treatment for the initial clots for 6 month before my WLS, then I was given heparin inj. to inject at home for 4 weeks prior to surgery. Then 10 days post op. The usual (standard) here in Denmark is 2 weeks w/heparin inj. pre-op, 10 days post-op. As far as I know, there haven't been any complications here in Denmark (in regards to the clots anywho). Try asking your surgeon for a similar regime if you feel comfortable doing so.

bridgetgirl · 05-20-2008, 03:18 AM

After surgery you could always take an aspirin, and walk, walk, walk for 3 weeks after to greatly reduce te chance of getting them.

I had one before, they caught it in my upper thigh, thank God! There are also natural products available OTC at Vitamin or Holistic stores that can assist you with reducing blood clotting, as well as bruising. I cant remember the name of the 2 meds my PS suggested.

Good luck to you lil mama!

princesse · 05-20-2008, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bridgetgirl

After surgery you could always take an aspirin, and walk, walk, walk for 3 weeks after to greatly reduce te chance of getting them.

I had one before, they caught it in my upper thigh, thank God! There are also natural products available OTC at Vitamin or Holistic stores that can assist you with reducing blood clotting, as well as bruising. I cant remember the name of the 2 meds my PS suggested.

Good luck to you lil mama!

Hey Bridget...
Never thought about aspirin. It *is* what they give heart attack paitents in the ambulance, so you are on to something. And the walking as well. I must've done miles in the hospital corridors . Then there's always the lovely compression hose..

Garlic is a natural blood thinner, but you are strongly advised to stop taking it *x* many weeks pre-op. and EPA, GLA, DHA oil capsules are blood thinners.