Surgery Blood Clots: What You Need to Know
Having an operation puts you at a higher chance of developing a blood clot. It’s not magic – the body’s normal healing process can create clots when you’re not moving, when tissue is cut, or when blood‑clotting chemicals spike. Understanding why this happens and what you can do about it makes a big difference in keeping you safe after the OR.
How Clots Form After Surgery
When surgeons cut tissue, the body reacts by sending platelets and clotting factors to seal the wound. At the same time, you’re often lying still for hours or days, which slows blood flow, especially in the legs. Slow flow lets clots grow in the deep veins – a condition called deep‑vein thrombosis (DVT). If a piece of that clot breaks off, it can travel to the lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism, which is life‑threatening.
Factors that make clots more likely include being over 60, being overweight, smoking, having a history of clotting disorders, and taking certain medications like hormone therapy or chemotherapy. Even the type of surgery matters – orthopedic and abdominal procedures carry a higher risk because they involve large tissue areas and often keep you on the bed longer.
Practical Ways to Lower Your Risk
Most hospitals already give you advice, but here are the key actions you can take right now:
- Move, move, move: Get out of bed as soon as you’re allowed. Short walks, even down the hallway, keep blood flowing.
- Do ankle‑pump exercises: While seated, flex your foot up and down 10‑15 times every hour. This simple movement helps prevent blood from pooling.
- Wear compression stockings: Graduated compression socks squeeze the leg gently, encouraging blood to move toward the heart.
- Stay hydrated: Aim for at least 8 glasses of water a day unless your doctor says otherwise. Dehydration thickens blood and raises clot risk.
- Follow medication instructions: If your surgeon prescribes blood thinners (heparin, warfarin, or newer oral anticoagulants), take them exactly as directed. Skipping a dose can undo the protection.
Combine these steps with a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean protein to give your body the nutrients it needs for healing without excess clotting factors.
Know the warning signs. If you notice sudden swelling, warmth, or pain in one leg, or if you feel shortness of breath, chest pain, or a rapid heartbeat, call your doctor immediately. These symptoms could indicate a DVT or a pulmonary embolism and need urgent attention.
After you leave the hospital, keep your follow‑up appointments. Your doctor will check for signs of clotting and may adjust your medication dose. Even if you feel fine, a routine ultrasound can catch a hidden clot before it becomes dangerous.
Bottom line: blood clots after surgery are common but not inevitable. By staying mobile, wearing compression gear, staying hydrated, and following any prescribed meds, you dramatically cut the odds. Trust your body’s signals, and don’t hesitate to reach out for help if something feels off. Your recovery is a team effort – you, your surgeon, and your nurse all share the goal of a safe, clot‑free healing journey.
July 18, 2025
Alyssa Penford
0 Comments
Worried about blood clots during surgery? Get clear answers on how anesthesia, immobility, and surgical factors affect clot risks—what you need to know before the OR.
