This is my big fear! Did any of you wear compression stockings? I know that they help. I know that getting up to walk will help reduce risk as well. Did your Dr send you home on blood thinners??

I know that clots are a risk with any surgery, but it's scary none the less!

My Dr. made me sign a "contract" saying that I promise to wear my compression stockings/TED hose for 7 days following surgery.

No stockings and no blood thinners from my Dr. He just made sure I new that I would get a clot if I wasnt walking 6 times a day and doing arm and leg movements while laying down for the first month! I Kept moving, clots are scary!!!

Where do I get these stockings from?

I would think u can ask for some while you are in the hospital, if not though I'm pretty sure you can buy them at any drug store. I know I've bought them at wal mart before. They are fairly pricey though.

Hey coolmamma,

They gave me some when I left the hospital. The nurse told me that I should wear them if I can't get up and move around very well. But I was getting up and walking around like crazy so I never wore them....

I wouldn't wear them but they weren't overly worried about me. They just offer or push them routinely. I actually had a blood clot in my arm from the PICC line but socks wouldn't help that I elected to not take the blood thinners past two days because (FOR ME) the risks were higher from those than from the tiny little clot. I have the clot monitored regularly and without thinners it dissipated and wasn't a problem.

I had so many other issues that when the socks would come up with a nurse I'd just wave them off. I was uncomfortable enough without those But you should assess your risks!

I ended up being very dehydrated once I got home from the hospital, and collapsed and when I went to the hospital was diagnosed with blood clots in both of my legs and my lungs. So, if the doctor recommends you wear the stockings, I would definitely go with what the doctor is requesting. and make sure you drink, drink, drink!

I ended up being very dehydrated once I got home from the hospital' date=' and collapsed and when I went to the hospital was diagnosed with blood clots in both of my legs and my lungs. So, if the doctor recommends you wear the stockings, I would definitely go with what the doctor is requesting. and make sure you drink, drink, drink![/quote']

You should get checked foe something called factor five leiden..its a blood clot mutation..and is herditary..i have it..and am taking alot of precautions . I have thinner shots..2weeks after..and socks and walking like crazy..did you get a blood thinner when u got sent home?..or not until after they find the clots?..my doc routinly gives one right after surgery...

I did get tested and everything was negative. It was purely from dehydration. The seconds time I got clots was after I tripped down my basement steps. So that clot was from a knee injury, and having a new history of clots upped my chance of getting a clot from the fall. I didn't get put on blood thinners until after the clots..... THIS IS WHY I JUST CAN'T STRESS ENOUGH THAT PEOPLE NEED TO STAY HYDRATED :-)

Is that test something you can get at your general Dr office?

I was referred to a hematology doctor. I'm not sure if a regular doc would do it, I had 13 tubes of blood taken for a bunch of tests.

Your doc can do it..its called factor five leiden..its goid to know..my dad and sister got clots and I got tested..i have the gene..the mild one

Hello,

My surgeon does not give blood thinners unless you have a history of clots. She (surgeon) says the risks of taking a medication we don't need out weigh the benefits. The best defense is walking and she said if I have to sit for a long period of time take aspirin and get up every two hours.

I don't know if this helps, but it's one angle.

I fear clots too. So I am going to walk my rear off!!!!

I'm glad you posted this. I had 2 large DVT's after a traumatic fall and ankle fracture. When I got pregnant about 5 years later, they tested me to see if I had the gene that made the clots more likely. I tested completely normal, and the DVT's were purely from the fall / fracture. I know having DVT's increases your risk for re-occurrence, but I don't have the genetic clotting issue...

I guess I have a new question to ask my surgeon.

Thanks again for this post. I apologize, I didn't mean to hijack it. ????

lol, not a problem Texas!

All the info is great to know! I think I will get the stockings just to have in case and make sure to get the exercise/walking in!

Thanks everyone