How Can You Prevent Blood Clots After Surgery?

Blood clots form when blood fails to circulate adequately.

A DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) is a blood clot that forms in the leg veins, typically beginning in the calf veins.  A PE (Pulmonary Embolism) is caused by a blood clot, typically in the leg, groin, or pelvic veins (and occasionally in the upper extremity veins) which breaks free and travels to the lung arteries. A DVT is often the source of a clot that travels to the lung arteries and becomes a PE.

Swelling of one leg, leg pain or tenderness, reddish or bluish skin discoloration, the leg is warm to touch, sudden shortness of breath, chest pain is sharp and stabbing, rapid heart rate.

Do walk regularly after surgery.  Walking helps pump blood through the leg veins, preventing clots from forming.

Do use SCDs.  Sequential compression devices (SCDs) are mechanical pumps that intermittently compress the leg veins, promoting circulation by simulating walking.  These are placed on all of our surgical patients undergoing surgery as a prophylactic measure.

Do NOT smoke before and after your surgery.  Smoking causes constriction of blood vessels , impairing blood flow and oxygenation.  Smoking greatly increases your risk of blood clots.

Do disclose your health history with your surgeon and let him/her know if you have had a blood clot before, family history of blood clots, presence of blood clotting disorders and any underlying medical conditions as this may put you at a higher risk than the general population.

Internet Source:  The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism, US Dept of Health and Human Services

 

About Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani

Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani earned his medical degree with Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) distinction at the University of Nebraska Medical School in Omaha, Nebraska. He then completed five years of general surgery residency training at the University of Kansas Medical Center and a 2 year residency in plastic surgery at the University of Rochester, Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, New York.  Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani  is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons , Florida Society of Plastic Surgery and the Florida Medical Association. He has also received numerous awards for his work in plastic surgery including the Patients’ Choice Award, America’s Top Physicians in Plastic Surgery, Doctor’s of Distinction selection for Orlando Magazine, and voted the best in his field in the Orlando Sentinel two years in a row.

For more information on Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani , please call our office today at (407) 901- 4934 to schedule your complimentary consultation or complete our contact form online. The Aesthetic Surgery Centre is located at 413 Lake Howell Road Maitland, FL 32751, and can be found online at jptrev.com or our Facebook Page.  You may also visit our exclusive website dedicated to only breast surgery at usabreast.com.
Submitted by: Roshani J. Patel