Would buying pneumatic compression massage boots for home use, be a good idea post Tummy Tuck surgery?

Question

I had two csections and both times I wore compression boots in the hospital whenever I was in bed. I have seen similar boots for sale on the Internet for a reasonable price. Would buying them help to reduce my risk of blood clots post operative TT? I would not use them as a substitute for movement, but when I was sleeping or resting-good idea or waste of money? Any other tips for getting through the surgery as well as possible would be greatly appreciated! Thanks:)

Beth Collins, MD · Answer

I think the best idea for you to avoid blood clots in the legs following any surgery is to make sure that you get out of bed and walk around as much as possible. Without any abnormal predisposition to a hypercoagulable state, compression boots would be a very expensive and probably not very useful tool. If your surgeon had some reason to think that you were at a higher than normal risk of getting a blood clot, something more practical to do would be to get Lovenox shots at home which is a medication similar to heparin that you can administer to yourself to thin the blood. In the absence of any risk factors, I do not routinely recommend this.Good luck. I hope this helps!

Jaime Campos Leon, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.I don't believe that this will be necessary.Dr. Campos

John J. Bandeian, MD · Answer

You can't go wrong with wearing the compression boots. The risk of developing a blood clot after a tummy tuck exists up t 2 weeks or so after the surgery. I dot advise my patients to use compression stockings when they go home because I do not think the benefit is worth the cost or inconvenience. However, I advise my patients to walk as much as possible and to avoid sitting in a chair. When you sit in a chair, blood will pool in your legs and pelvic veins, thereby increasing the risk of clots. I recommend my patients to spend nearly all their time either walking or lying down with their feet elvaated about their hearts to promote venous blood return to the heart.

Robert Whitfield, MD · Answer

Movement is the best.  You have identified a significant problem with abdominal and pelvic surgery in general.  We want our patients to get up and move around as much as possible.  We encourage walking.

Rami Ghurani, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

That's a great idea, but probably not very practical one. You have a very legitimate concern being worried about a post operative blood clot. I ask all my patients to wear medical grade compression stockings for 2 weeks after surgery. Also it is very important to walk very frequently after surgery and avoid lying in bed all the time. The risk of blood clots can be assessed by your board certified plastic surgeon based on the Caprini scale and together you can perform a risk assessment. This will help identify if you need any perioperative and postoperative blood thinning. I hope that helps you. Good luck.

Would buying pneumatic compression massage boots for home use, be a good idea post Tummy Tuck surgery?

Answers (6)

Answer: They are not bad ideas

Answer: They are not bad ideas

Answer: Would buying pneumatic compression massage boots for home use, be a good idea post Tummy Tuck surgery?

Answer: Would buying pneumatic compression massage boots for home use, be a good idea post Tummy Tuck surgery?

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Would buying pneumatic compression massage boots for home use, be a good idea post Tummy Tuck surgery?

Answers (6)

Answer: They are not bad ideas

Answer: They are not bad ideas

Answer: Would buying pneumatic compression massage boots for home use, be a good idea post Tummy Tuck surgery?

Answer: Would buying pneumatic compression massage boots for home use, be a good idea post Tummy Tuck surgery?

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.