Important blood clot info for recent and future tt patients

This article saved my life. I read this before calling my PS and they told me to go to the ER. I had the same annoying but at times unnoticeable calf pain. It only hurt when touched. No redness or swelling so I dismissed it until reading this. I was diagnosed with a blood clot in my calf but the tiredness I was experiencing from what I thought was apart of the healing process ( tt/bl) turned out to be multiple pulmonary embolisms. They said there were too many blood clots in my lungs too count after a CT scan. I am now on blood thinners for hopefully only the next 3 months. I don't know still how I had DVT's and missed any symptoms but please people stay active after your surgery and trust your body. Thank you again for this article. They said I was a miracle and have started genetic testing. Thank you again for this article. I believe me reading this was part of Gods plan.

Thank you so much for the post! Totally something to pay attention too!!! Very scary and so glad all is well for you!!

Thanks so much for the info!

I'm having the exact same symptoms 2.5 weeks out! I'm terrified! I'm trying to tell myself it isn't a blood clot b/c my skin isn't red or hot. I just have the constant calf pain. Was your skin red, hot, and swollen?

Yes! clotting is definitely genetic. My father died from a pulmonary embolism. When I was trying to get pregnant several years ago and struggling a bit, I had a battery of tests, one of which showed a genetic clotting disorder. I've never had a clot, but this genetic disorder makes me about 20% more likely than the general population to get a clot. So that means for me, that any situation where clots are a known risk, I am "extra" at risk and take extra precautions. So..now that I'm getting ready for my tt, my doc is aware and will be putting me on preventative blood thinners for a couple of weeks following the tt, in addition to the compression socks and such.

Thank you for posting this, really important topic!

Thank you so much for sharing this! It's wonderful that your husband supported you and you got to the er right away. I'm sure your post will help someone else in the future. Wishing you a fast recovery!

Wow, that is so scary! I am so glad you caught it and got to the ER! My biggest fear is blot clot because my mom has had one before not from anything surgery wise and my grandmother had them too... So I am not sure if its something that is genetic or not?

Thanks for sharing. Glad all is well and that you caught it in time. This is seriously my biggest fear when going into this surgery.

Did you doctor put you on an anti blood clot shot the week after your surgery or just compression hose?

I will keep in mind to walk every hour. thanks for the heads up.

I really appreciate you taking the time to share this info. on blood clots, and your experience. Thanks so much! This web site is truly a life saver :-)

Oh, another thought. I had these air pumping leg wraps for 24 hours after surgery, and then wore the post op white compression hose for 5 days. Followed all the protocol. Hated those hose, but now I get that they are there for a good reason. Wear them as long as you can stand it! And try to ambulate as best you can. Not sure if it contributed, but I kept a pillow under my knees day and night when I was not moving around, and I probably spent 4-5 hours reclining for several early days at home. Walking a little bit every hour is a great preventative, but all we post-ops know that is easier said than done.

My clot is small and in the calf, which is much less dangerous than in the thigh. Would I have been better off with flat legs in bed...? Don't really know...

OK don't want to scare anyone, and I am still completely committed to my decision to have PS. I still love my new tummy and BTW am feeling better than ever on day 12...nearly normal.

Here's the deal. I went back over my pre-op paperwork and while it refers to blood clots as a risk, it didn't describe symptoms. Blood clots are only dangerous if they are undetected. SO READ THIS CAREFULLY ALL PRE-OP AND RECENT TT PATIENTS.

My calf felt tender, like a pulled or overworked muscle. I had walked around the block, very slowly w/ my husband the night before so I assumed maybe that was the cause. The soreness went away by mid-day. Next day was just the same. Sunday was more sore...like more discomfort than from anywhere related to my surgery. By afternoon I googled tummy tuck and leg pain and found deep vein thrombosis. My husband said CALL THE DOCTOR. PS took it very seriously and sent me to ER. They were able to image the vein/clot using a portable doppler unit which was quite amazing. Now that I am being treated all My physicians concur that I am safe and all will be well.

This is a very rare surgical complication, so worry not. I beat some very long odds to get this. But it is life threatening. Be educated and pay attention to your body. If you have post op leg pain, call your PS!!!!!!!

WEBSITE MONITORS, I FEEL LIKE THIS IS SO IMPORTANT...CAN YOU MAKE THIS INFO PROMINENT ON THE PAGE?

Wow, I'm glad you called and went in. That could've been dangerous. Thanks for the heads up, my surgery is in 2 weeks. Take care.