Blood Clots Post Surgery

[journeynsolace]

I have my surgery in just over two weeks to remove an 8X3X3 dermoid from my right ovary. I thought I was doing okay, and hadn't really thought about the surgery for a week now, but then I began going through my checklist of things to do (buy a new robe, slippers, etc.), and I began doing internet searching again for any other advice of what to do... and now the anxiety is back full force. I haven't slept for 24 hours.

I'm freaking out now about blood clots. I'm overweight and sedentary (work at a computer all day). My mom had a DVT that put her in the hospital for a week (during her chemotherapy treatment). I'm terrified now not just of the surgery but of the days and weeks after the surgery and worrying about blood clots developing, particularly when I work at the computer. My "standard" sitting posture is typically with one leg crossed and the other stretched out, which apparently is horrible for circulation... but really comfy when working on a laptop in a recliner at home.

Did anyone have blood clots after their cyst/ovary surgery? When did yours happen? What were the signs?

How often do blood clots happen after surgery to remove a cyst or ovary? I've found a statistic that says they happen .8 of the time for hysterectomies, and .2 of those die. That statistic is terrifying to me, mainly because of my weight and sedentary lifestyle (no other problems).

Did you get heparin shots or those compression boots/socks for the day of your surgery?

Also, how long usually is someone actually in surgery for a cyst or ovary removal laparascopic? I'm having the robotic Davinci surgery. Are those faster? I mean, is a "standard" surgery 30 minutes, an hour, etc.? How long was your time from being put under to being awake.... and to walking again?

[journeynsolace]

Thank you! I spoke to the nurse yesterday and she mentioned that they do use compression stockings, but I asked her about the injections and "booties" (the ones that inflate/deflate) and she said those aren't usually used. I'm not sure if she meant an injection before the surgery or post-surgery injections though. The doctor was in surgery, and he's supposed to call me today and we're going to talk through my concerns.

Basically, I think I'll be okay mentally doing it if I can get all three preventatives: (1) compression stockings, (2) compression boots (inflate/deflate), and (3) Lovenox injections for 7-10 days after. This is what I read seems to be the "gold standard" for at risk people, and there doesn't seem to be any reason NOT to do them. I just feel weird basically wanting to tell my doctor that these are the only things that will make me comfortable. I know he's the expert, but I don't care what the costs are; if there's no hazard in having something to prevent these clots, then I want it.

[MarieMichele]

I was given a blood thinner injection in the pre-surgery prep area.  They put automatic stockings on my legs post-surgery.  They inflated and deflated much like a blood pressure device and that was to keep circulation going while in bed and prevent clots.  They made me walk the day after surgery and several times a day.  All of this was to prevent clots and I had no issues. I didn't have any pre-existing clotting issues.  Yes, blood clots are a risk with surgery, but hospitals utilize techniques like what I described to reduce the risks.  You will need to walk post-op, nothing lengthy or dramatic (in fact, we all walk like we're 90 years old after this surgery), and it helps with the clotting risk as well as with getting the post-op gas to move out of the places it gets trapped.

[journeynsolace]

Thank you! I'm really hoping I go home after a few hours too.

My anxiety was doing fine, I got my work done, but now I'm back to freaking out again about blood clots. I have a lot more risk factors than I thought: obesity, family history, sedentary lifestyle, migraines with aura, and I've had two superficial ones in the past.

I'm now absolutely terrified of blood clots, and I'm not sure I'm ready for all of this. I mean, I'm having something taken out that isn't bothering me, only has a 2% chance of cancer, and I've already had for over a year now. From what I've read about blood clots, they happen 40% of the time in my situation, although only .8% of them are fatal. I'm freaking out again.

I'm going to talk to my doctor about my concerns, see if we could do an MRI to have more certainty that it's a dermoid and not cancerous. Maybe wait till October when I have three months off. I could get myself a lot more healthy by then and feel better "mentally" going into the surgery.

[JessRae]

Yeah, walking is the best thing you can do! Esepcially to help get rid of the gasses too from the anesthetic etc. You'll be slow moving at first but thats okay.

When I had the laparoscopy done last April( yes 2 surgeries under a year apart due to cysts....) I was discharged a few hours after surgery. They sent me home with some t3's for pain, and I didnt have a lot of it.. before they discharged me I had to get up and go to the bathroom. Looking back that was a funny experience.... It was like watching bambi walking for the first time apparently. LOL

Make sure you ask anything you need to put yourself at ease for sure! Ohhh caffiene when you dont normally drink it.. and stress of preping for surgery making sure everything is done.. that would make it hard for sure.

[journeynsolace]

Thank you so much!!! I took an anxiety pill this morning and then slept for 14 hours, so I'm feeling a lot better right now. I also have a lot of work I have to finish before tomorrow midnight, so as long as I stay focused on things that have to be done now, I can avoid thinking about the surgery. I found out one that a friend accidentally gave me tea with caffeine in it, and I haven't knowing drank caffeine in years, so that apparently really wired me, so I was physically as well as mentally freaking out.

I'm hoping that laparoscopic will mean less time in bed. My doctor mentioned that patients go home the same day sometimes, and I'm really hoping I'm one of those. It sounds like the surgery is 45 minutes. They're not removing my ovary, so hopefully the dermoid isn't 'sticking' to anything in there. (I can physically push it around my stomach sometimes, so I don't think it is.)

I'm definitely going to ask about the exercises and breathing. I'll even ask for the compression boots.

I just hate that I thought if I wake up from surgery, then I'm in the clear... just deal with the pain and healing process. Now I know myself and that I'll continually worry about blood clots for 2-3 weeks afterward. My plan is to make myself take a walk around the house every hour, and flex/stretch my legs as much as possible.

[JessRae]

I had a laparotomy to remove my right ovary and cyst on Feb 2nd. The dr had booked the OR for abot 45 min, and I believe that was all i was in there for. I went in at 1130am to OR, was put under, and woke up in recovery at 1:15pm and was sent to the ward finally by dinner time. Due to it being a laparotomy, i was catheterized, and was stuck in bed for the first 36 hours before it was removed.

I never had a problem with blood clots, though at my pre-surgical screening and post op they gave me a list of leg exercises and breathing exercises etc  while i was stuck in bed to keep circulation going to prevent blood clots. ( I do have a slightly higher than normal range of platelet count but they werent concerned about clotting with me and i am also overweight)

If you are concerned you are at risk of clotting post op, Talk to the nurses and the dr before surgery and after surgery about what you can do to prevent them.

Obviously getting up and moving is the best thing, but the first day, you're likely not going to want to move too much. When getting up out of bed you'll want to move slowly, and the nurses should help you and show you how to move with as little pain as possible.

And I know its hard, but stop looking online!! You're just going to make your anxiety worse and that is the last thing you need. Last thing you ned is to stress yourself out more pre surgery, I did the same thing til i found this forum. Sometimes reading the stories made me nervous, but dont read online! You risk scaring yourself making it out to be worse than it is. I know I did at first when i first read up about my surgery. Just take the time to get ready for surgery and relax as best you can.