Comments for http://surgiprep.wordpress.com Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:31:57 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on Blood clots after surgery – call to action by Avis Valdespino http://surgiprep.wordpress.com/2008/09/26/blood-clots-after-surgery-call-to-action/#comment-228 Avis Valdespino Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:31:57 +0000 http://surgiprep.wordpress.com/?p=81#comment-228 Glesa, I'm sorry about your father. My step-mother has been taking Coumadin regularly for years. I think she was taken off it a few days before surgery, possibly to prevent excessive bleeding during surgery. However, post op she was placed back on it, with the nurse coming every evening to give her an injection for a full week following surgery. Then, after the first week, she has restarted taking the Coumadin pills once again. Seems to me that in your father's case, the doctor should have provided some type of follow-up care in regard to the blood clot. From personal experience, I can tell you that it's easy and typical to blame oneself when a loved one dies, but without medical expertise it's very difficult to understand and pick up on the signs of trouble. Also, since your father had just had hernia removal surgery, you (and him) were probably focusing on the hernia removal issue and not so much on the blood clot in his leg. A friend of mine who was 77 kept complaining that he had the flu and I accepted it as such. Turned out that he was having pre-stroke symptons and he ended up having one and died a couple of weeks later. I've been blaming myself too for not being more aware. But, as I said, without medical training how was I to know. Take care of yourself and be a better person with those that surround you in your dad's memory. Glesa,

I’m sorry about your father. My step-mother has been taking Coumadin regularly for years. I think she was taken off it a few days before surgery, possibly to prevent excessive bleeding during surgery. However, post op she was placed back on it, with the nurse coming every evening to give her an injection for a full week following surgery. Then, after the first week, she has restarted taking the Coumadin pills once again.

Seems to me that in your father’s case, the doctor should have provided some type of follow-up care in regard to the blood clot. From personal experience, I can tell you that it’s easy and typical to blame oneself when a loved one dies, but without medical expertise it’s very difficult to understand and pick up on the signs of trouble. Also, since your father had just had hernia removal surgery, you (and him) were probably focusing on the hernia removal issue and not so much on the blood clot in his leg. A friend of mine who was 77 kept complaining that he had the flu and I accepted it as such. Turned out that he was having pre-stroke symptons and he ended up having one and died a couple of weeks later. I’ve been blaming myself too for not being more aware. But, as I said, without medical training how was I to know. Take care of yourself and be a better person with those that surround you in your dad’s memory.

]]> Comment on Blood clots after surgery – call to action by surgiprep http://surgiprep.wordpress.com/2008/09/26/blood-clots-after-surgery-call-to-action/#comment-227 surgiprep Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:02:54 +0000 http://surgiprep.wordpress.com/?p=81#comment-227 A person who has had a blood clot in the past may be at increased risk of having another one after a surgical procedure, and would often be eligible for some form of prophylaxis, such as coumadin. However the extent of the risk, and therefore the type of preventive treatment will vary and will depend on the invasiveness of the surgery and other factors. Early mobilisation after surgery decreases the risk of a blood clot and so is not usually offered after outpatient surgery. These decisions require weighing up risks and benefits and are not always straightforward. When coumadin prophylaxis is advised after major surgery, guidelines state that it should be continued for 6 weeks or so, but in practice the duration of treatment is often shorter. A person who has had a blood clot in the past may be at increased risk of having another one after a surgical procedure, and would often be eligible for some form of prophylaxis, such as coumadin. However the extent of the risk, and therefore the type of preventive treatment will vary and will depend on the invasiveness of the surgery and other factors. Early mobilisation after surgery decreases the risk of a blood clot and so is not usually offered after outpatient surgery.

These decisions require weighing up risks and benefits and are not always straightforward. When coumadin prophylaxis is advised after major surgery, guidelines state that it should be continued for 6 weeks or so, but in practice the duration of treatment is often shorter.

]]> Comment on Blood clots after surgery – call to action by Glesa http://surgiprep.wordpress.com/2008/09/26/blood-clots-after-surgery-call-to-action/#comment-226 Glesa Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:41:19 +0000 http://surgiprep.wordpress.com/?p=81#comment-226 my dad had a hernia re=moved from his lower abdomen...He's was 78. well on Nov.2, he was doing physical theropy, and after his 9th rep, he rolled over and his body went totally still. He look like someon who had a sugar attack episode..He had been on coumdain for six months for a blood clot in his left leg.. and off of the medication three months before this surgery. I feel like we slipped by not placing him back on coumdian, and putting his compresion stocking on every morning..He fainted, and broke out in a sweat..unfortunely, I don't know if this was signs of a blood clot, but he passed away couple hours after, this....Now I think the signs were there of the blood clot and we negleted my dad by not haveing him checked out to prevent this horrific episode, if the cause of death was a blood clot two weeks after this surgery.. I feel like it's my fault my dad had a hernia re=moved from his lower abdomen…He’s was 78. well on Nov.2, he was doing physical theropy, and after his 9th rep, he rolled over and his body went totally still. He look like someon who had a sugar attack episode..He had been on coumdain for six months for a blood clot in his left leg.. and off of the medication three months before this surgery. I feel like we slipped by not placing him back on coumdian, and putting his compresion stocking on every morning..He fainted, and broke out in a sweat..unfortunely, I don’t know if this was signs of a blood clot, but he passed away couple hours after, this….Now I think the signs were there of the blood clot and we negleted my dad by not haveing him checked out to prevent this horrific episode, if the cause of death was a blood clot two weeks after this surgery.. I feel like it’s my fault

]]> Comment on Blood clots after surgery – call to action by Avis Valdespino http://surgiprep.wordpress.com/2008/09/26/blood-clots-after-surgery-call-to-action/#comment-225 Avis Valdespino Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:38:41 +0000 http://surgiprep.wordpress.com/?p=81#comment-225 My 83-year-old step-mother just had inguinal hernia repair surgery a week ago. Because she developed a lump near/on the hernia site and has had a lot of pain, she is going to have an ultrasound to determine the cause of the lump. The surgeon suspects it may be a blood clot. How is it removed, will more surgery be required? Is she in serious danger? I'm trying to determine whether I should travel to visit her in another state or not. Thank you. My 83-year-old step-mother just had inguinal hernia repair surgery a week ago. Because she developed a lump near/on the hernia site and has had a lot of pain, she is going to have an ultrasound to determine the cause of the lump. The surgeon suspects it may be a blood clot. How is it removed, will more surgery be required? Is she in serious danger? I’m trying to determine whether I should travel to visit her in another state or not. Thank you.

]]> Comment on Blood clots after surgery – call to action by pat coflin http://surgiprep.wordpress.com/2008/09/26/blood-clots-after-surgery-call-to-action/#comment-224 pat coflin Sun, 18 Oct 2009 20:15:16 +0000 http://surgiprep.wordpress.com/?p=81#comment-224 See above for problem, still there after 2 months post surgery. Dr. did not answer question to give blood thinners (husband previously took baby aspirin daily until 2 wks before surgery. Does clot self absorb in time? Is there danger of it moving to lungs etc.? Please help. See above for problem, still there after 2 months post surgery. Dr. did not answer question to give blood thinners (husband previously took baby aspirin daily until 2 wks before surgery. Does clot self absorb in time? Is there danger of it moving to lungs etc.? Please help.

]]> Comment on Does anesthesia “fry” the elderly brain? by surgiprep http://surgiprep.wordpress.com/2007/12/30/does-anesthesia-fry-the-elderly-brain/#comment-222 surgiprep Thu, 15 Oct 2009 07:04:22 +0000 http://surgiprep.wordpress.com/2007/12/30/does-anesthesia-fry-the-elderly-brain/#comment-222 The evidence from studies goes along with your mother's experience. Many elderly patients develop POCD but most recover within about 3 months. Surprisingly, regional anesthesia (spinal, epidural) does not seem to lower the risk of POCD. The evidence from studies goes along with your mother’s experience. Many elderly patients develop POCD but most recover within about 3 months. Surprisingly, regional anesthesia (spinal, epidural) does not seem to lower the risk of POCD.

]]> Comment on Does anesthesia “fry” the elderly brain? by Carol Heubach http://surgiprep.wordpress.com/2007/12/30/does-anesthesia-fry-the-elderly-brain/#comment-221 Carol Heubach Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:16:24 +0000 http://surgiprep.wordpress.com/2007/12/30/does-anesthesia-fry-the-elderly-brain/#comment-221 My 88 y.o. mother has severe POCD after general anesthesia. She has had 4 o 5 major surgeries related to two hip replacements which were absolutely necessary, and subsequent revisions due to infection. She is currently post-op 8 days and is slowly coming out of her POCD. She has a long history of Ativan dependence, along with a huge cocktail of antidepressants for many years. This apparently makes POCD alot worse. So far warning to anyone in need of surgery with these predisposing issues and age. She does always seem to come out of it though. She goes through total confusion, then severe forgetfulness, agitation, and then slowly becomes her old self. My 88 y.o. mother has severe POCD after general anesthesia. She has had 4 o 5 major surgeries related to two hip replacements which were absolutely necessary, and subsequent revisions due to infection. She is currently post-op 8 days and is slowly coming out of her POCD. She has a long history of Ativan dependence, along with a huge cocktail of antidepressants for many years. This apparently makes POCD alot worse. So far warning to anyone in need of surgery with these predisposing issues and age. She does always seem to come out of it though. She goes through total confusion, then severe forgetfulness, agitation, and then slowly becomes her old self.

]]> Comment on Blood clots after surgery – call to action by surgiprep http://surgiprep.wordpress.com/2008/09/26/blood-clots-after-surgery-call-to-action/#comment-220 surgiprep Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:24:59 +0000 http://surgiprep.wordpress.com/?p=81#comment-220 On this blog I don't provide medical advice of the sort you are seeking. That wouldn't be wise, would it, especially in the case of serious, acute conditions like blood clots in the legs or lungs. The usual treatment for this condition is the immediate administration of anticoagulants (blood thinners). Blood clots are particularly common after major orthopedic surgery. Prevention is better than cure. Please talk to your doctors. On this blog I don’t provide medical advice of the sort you are seeking. That wouldn’t be wise, would it, especially in the case of serious, acute conditions like blood clots in the legs or lungs. The usual treatment for this condition is the immediate administration of anticoagulants (blood thinners). Blood clots are particularly common after major orthopedic surgery. Prevention is better than cure. Please talk to your doctors.

]]> Comment on Blood clots after surgery – call to action by Marilyn http://surgiprep.wordpress.com/2008/09/26/blood-clots-after-surgery-call-to-action/#comment-219 Marilyn Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:02:25 +0000 http://surgiprep.wordpress.com/?p=81#comment-219 Hello, My 49 year old son is battling three DVt's in right thigh following shoulder surgery in Feb, 2009. He also has clots in both lungs. He was hospitalized for only two days...kicked out...signed off and his wife said "I am not taking him home" and was put in a swing bed in a small town for 10 days. Well, eight months later another clot developed in thigh and his leg is still swollen and nothing is being done except physical therapy. What SHOULD THE NEXT STEP BE? I had one in my thigh and they did surgery immediately. I am worried about him. Please help with suggestions. Thanks Hello,

My 49 year old son is battling three DVt’s in right thigh following shoulder surgery in Feb, 2009. He also has clots in both lungs. He was hospitalized for only two days…kicked out…signed off and his wife said “I am not taking him home” and was put in a swing bed in a small town for 10 days. Well, eight months later another clot developed in thigh and his leg is still swollen and nothing is being done except physical therapy. What SHOULD THE NEXT STEP BE? I had one in my thigh and they did surgery immediately. I am worried about him. Please help with suggestions. Thanks

]]> Comment on Blood clots after surgery – call to action by pat coflin http://surgiprep.wordpress.com/2008/09/26/blood-clots-after-surgery-call-to-action/#comment-218 pat coflin Tue, 06 Oct 2009 23:05:41 +0000 http://surgiprep.wordpress.com/?p=81#comment-218 Concern re blood clot under incision following lumbar laminectomy 5 wks. ago the size of a very large egg.post-op first day draining not complete on discharge but removed causing clot. Neurosurgeon does not want to open there, fearing infection. Is there any other treatment to reduce size and discomfort? PC Concern re blood clot under incision following lumbar laminectomy 5 wks. ago the size of a very large egg.post-op first day draining not complete on discharge but removed causing clot. Neurosurgeon does not want to open there, fearing infection. Is there any other treatment to reduce size and discomfort? PC

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