Can I Still Have a Blood Clot While on Lovenox?

Question

Hello, I am 12 days post op after getting my tummy tuck. I have been pretty active, walking on the treadmill for 30 mins still day 5, dropping my son off at school and walking the dog. I drink lots of water and just finished my lovenox injections 2 days ago. While laying down, I felt a tingling in my right calf. It does not hurt, it just tingles at times. Could it be a blood clot?

Vishnu Rumalla, MD · Answer

Thanks for inquiry, unfortunately you can still develop a blood clot on Lovenox, especially if the Lovenox was started after surgery. Your tingling coud represent a DVT (clot). Some people are simply prone to getting clots genetically. I reccomend you call your plastic surgeon immediately to discuss.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Lovenox will reduce the risk for the development of blood clots, but it does not eliminate the risk.  Have an examination by your surgeon.

	 

	Kenneth Hughes, MD

	Los Angeles, CA

Sean Younai, MD, FACS · Answer

Lovenox is scientifically shown to be effective in reducing the incidence of post-operative DVT. The issue is that patients can get leg blod clots or DVT up to 6 weeks after a tummy tuck, at which point almost no one is on Lovenox.

Peter E. Johnson, MD · Answer

Though Lovenox can greatly reduce the risk of blood clots or DVT, the risk is not eliminated and it is indeed possible to develop a DVT while using the medication. Any doubts about how you are doing should be made to your surgeon right away.

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

Although Lovenox reduces the chances of a clot, it does not reduce it to zero. Although tingling is quite a non-specific symptom (unlike calf pain or tenderness), I would not exclude the possibility of a clot over the internet. 

	Suggestion: call your surgeon.

	All the best.

Can I Still Have a Blood Clot While on Lovenox?

Answers (5)