Important blood clot info for recent and future tt patients

By majatummy on 20 Feb 2011

9 days post op my calf hurt like I pulled a muscle...eased by noon. Same thing on day 10. Today calf was very tender and foot as well. Called PS. Was sent to ER where I was diagnosed with a blood clot. Now on blood thinners, but this was a dangerous close call. Pay attention to let pain-post op!!

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DebraM 21 Feb 2011

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.

Cat in New York 9 Mar 2012

Thx for sharing majatummy!

majatummy 21 Feb 2011

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?

majatummy 21 Feb 2011

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...

mynewstart 314 4 Mar 2011

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 :-)

3boys 1princess 4 Mar 2011

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.

blondiekj 8 Mar 2011

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?

majatummy 16 Mar 2011

Some of my doctors did refer to a genetic predisposition. Make sure your PS knows your family history, use all the precautions (leg pumps, compression hose, moving every couple of hours) and most important, pay attention to your body. Be educated about symptoms of blood clots, and watch your body! I'm sure you'll be fine. More people get clots from airplane rides than surgery, BTW!

blondiekj 17 Mar 2011

Thanks for all of the great info!

makeupgal1 9 Mar 2011

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!

jellybellly 23 Mar 2011

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!

3and6Mom 9 Mar 2012

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?

majatummy 15 Mar 2012

I just now saw this post...I hope you went to the doctor!