If you’ve had weight loss surgery, you should be concerned about blood clots for up to a year after your surgery, doctors say.
According to a study presented at the recent American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) meeting, the incidence of Venus Thromboembolism – or VTE – is nearly four times more likely 12 months after surgery than while a patient is still in the hospital.
Venous thromboembolism is a blood clot that forms in the veins that can break away and block circulation from the heart to the lungs. Both deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism are forms of venous thromboembolism.
Although people are often aware of the risk of a blood clot during hospitalization after surgery, doctors say that weight loss surgery patients should be on the lookout for VTE for about a year after their procedure.
Patients at most risk of an embolism were those who had a higher risk before having weight loss surgery, including older, obese women who smoke.
Patients with a high risk for VTE should consult with their doctor immediately if they experience any symptoms, as the condition can be fatal.
July 10th, 2009 at 7:53 am
Although these patients are at rish for such blood clots, they do feel a sense of optimism that surgeries of this nature can benefit them in the long run. To them, it’s worth the risk to live a longer and healthier life.
July 10th, 2009 at 11:23 am
I’m a 38 yr old male and I developed DVT and had a couple of small pulmonary embolisms about 2 weeks post-op and it took me back to the hospital for an extra week. There was a IVC filter installed before my bariatric(DS) surgery was done and it probably saved my life. I would do the bariatric surgery over again today because it was worth the risk and the complication to have a chance at living a somewhat normal life (and add a few more decades).
I would love to have the DVT gone. I am on blood thinner and wear compression socks but they probably will not dislodge or otherwise affect the DVT – but they will keep it from getting bigger. There is a surgical treatment to remove big DVT clots but unfortunately the guiding scan requires a dye that I’m allergic to so not an option for me.