Are PE & DVT's always deadly?

Thank you for your question. DVT's alone are not deadly and they can be treated. However when a DVT dislodges and travels to the lungs it becomes a Pulmonary Embolis (PE) which can be deadly depending on the size of the embolis (thrombus/clot). If the embolis is small it can go unnoticed and you won't have any symptoms. If the embolis is large enough you can have symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing and even sudden death.It is important to take precautions to prevent DVT formation such as Sequential Compression Devices on your legs durning surgery and in some instances an anticoagulant called Lovenox. Talk to your board certified plastic surgeon about his methods to minimize DVT formation durning and after surgery.

I understand your fear.  The incidence of DVT/PE in a patient with no risk factors is less than 1%.  DVT/PE is not always fatal if diagnosed in a timely fashion.  The most effective preventive measure is early ambulation (walking).  Dr ES

Thanks for your question.Prevention of risks during and after surgery is extremely important in my practice and we take proactive measures to prevent them.  Thankfully with good prophylaxis the incidence of blood clots is low.Overall,  the incidence of DVT/PE in a patient with no risk factors is less than 1%.  The most effective preventive measure is early walking after surgery. I hope this is helpful

DVT (deep vein thrombosis) and PE (pulmonary embolism) are rare complications from surgery.  There are many risk factors such as age, BMI (body mass index), length of surgery, family history, hormone therapy, etc. that increase your risk of having a VTE (venous thromboembolism) such as a DVT or PE.  DVTs do not always progress to PEs and PEs are not always deadly.  There is treatment available, depending on what and where the clot is.  It is best to follow your surgeon's advice about walking regularly after surgery and doing toe-up exercises when resting.  It is not recommended to return home from surgery and lay down for long periods of time. 

A pulmonary embolus, a clot that breaks loose from a DVT and travels to the lung, is serious but extremely rare. I've done hundreds of TTs over the last 30 years and the only patient I know of who had a problem laid still in bed for days at the suggestion of her friends rather than moving around as we instructed. Your chances of dying while driving to the Mall is higher than you risk of death from this surgery if you are otherwise healthy.