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Over a year, no way, as long as you on warfarin continue it, and adopt wait and see policy, I will be cautious too.Stay tuned with your surgeon.

Pretty odd situation that guy has placed you in.

Most IVC filters are permanent, but some filters are now available that are "retrievable." Retrievable filters are fitted with some sort of device (that varies from model to model) that allows them to be pulled back into a catheter (technically a "sheath") and removed from the body, often through the Jugular vein. Previously, filters that had been in the IVC for less than three weeks were considered suitable to attempt retrieval, as filters that have been in place longer might have been overgrown by cells from the IVC wall and there was an increased risk of IVC injury if the filter is dislodged. Newer designs, and developments in techniques mean that some filters can now be left in for prolonged periods and retrievals after a year are now being reported. This would include the ALN, Option, Tulip and Celect filters.

Pretty much all of them are permanent.

It will not hurt you to have it in your body and removal could require actual surgery if it is embedded.

However- do not stop taking warfarin (Coumadin) unless your doctor tells you to because it can prevent blood clots from forming on the filter.

Best of luck!

In the beginning of IVC Filters, they were not removed. It won't hurt you to keep it. After a year, it probably is imbedded and would do more harm than good to remove it.

Don't worry about it. You'll be fine.

Many a time filters are not removed.