Question:
What is the 'window' for blood clot danger post surgery?

Does anyone know how long it is after surgery before we are out of danger from forming blood clots after surgery?    — latrishanickle (posted on March 23, 2003)

March 23, 2003
My surgeon said I would be in the clear after I had lost about 50 pounds. He explained that it can be a post op complication but also a complication of being morbidly obese. Just keep moving after surgery. It is your best defense.
   — Carol S.

March 23, 2003
I was considered a risk for blood clots because I could not walk very far after surgery. My surgeon put me on blood thinners for 2 weeks after surgery, and said I would be out of the woods by then. Hope that helps. Open RNY 11-11-02 down 115lbs
   — dkinson

March 23, 2003
There have been people on here two and three months post-op that have died from blood clots. I am five weeks and still worried but i do walk alot. It's in God's hands.
   — Delores S.

March 23, 2003
Latrisha, you will get different answers on this because surgeons believe different things. I asked my surgeon after my first month check-up and he said I was in the clear. But I still made sure to walk and have heard that generally 3 months is the best time. As long as you make sure to get up and walk every hour, you should be fine. Goodluck to you!
   — Lezlie Y.

March 24, 2003
I had surgery on 7/5/02 and experienced PEs (blood clots) in my lungs on 8/29/02. I have since had a number of tests to determine if it was genetic (wasn't). Reason for the PEs was never determined other than I'm over 40, was still overweight, had recent surgery, and had recently flown over 3 hours. I got heparin shots right before going home after surgery, was walking, had lost about 50 pounds, basically doing everything right. I was on blood thinners after the PE for 6 months, just stopped those. No problems once I got to the hospital, no after affects. I have serious concerns about any surgery including plastics in the future though. If it happened once, I'm afraid it could happen again. My symptom was strictly SEVERE shortness of breath when walking or moving, none while sitting or standing still. Nothing else. My advice would be to head WITHOUT DELAY to an ER if you experience any kind of leg pain, chest pain or abnormal shortness of breath within 6 months of your surgery. And of course, walk, walk, walk, drink, drink, drink.
   — jutymo