Question:
Will getting leg messages while in the hospital help avoid blood clots from forming?

My fiance and I were wondering if while I'm still in the hospital after surgery, pretty much inactive, will getting my legs massaged by him help prevent or avoid blood clots?    — mzunderstood702 (posted on June 28, 2002)

June 28, 2002
I have always heard that leg massages are a no-no after surgery. If there is a clot, then massaging it could cause it to travel. You will have "boots" on that are attached to a pump - they inflate and deflate. The purpose of them is to help prevent blood clots. Also, you will probably be given heparin injections the entire time. And, if your doctor is anything like mine, you will be up and walking. My surgeon's protocol is for his patients to get up and walk around the hallway once an hour. And we had to take a shower every morning, starting the morning after the surgery. So, my advice is don't do the massaging without first checking with your surgeon.
   — Patty_Butler

June 28, 2002
Make sure to tell your significant other to get you up and walking. No one ever came in to make me walk at all. I was at a regular hospital not a Bariatric Center, so that makes a difference too. Best wishes to you.
   — Cinna G.

June 28, 2002
I agree with Patty. I was told that massages were definitely taboo! And if I felt a leg cramp or pain to notify a nurse at once. One little trick that you can do is to write the A B C's with your feet! While you are laying there before you can walk around, just have your mate remind you to write 4 or 5 letters of the alphabet and to stretch and wiggle your legs/feet. My twin sister and I did this for each other and it was great. You are so groggy and won't remember by yourself, so it is important to remind, remind, remind, your partner/significant other to remind YOU to do this. I even made a little checklist for my husband and sister to remind me to 1. Breath deeply, 2. Do my leg/feet exercises and WALK, WALK, WALK. It was really kind of funny because this became our primary focus and kept my mind off my pain. After you start getting up and around, your circulation will improve and you won't have to do the A B C's. Good luck!
   — Marilyn C.

June 28, 2002
What will help is to walk...no substitute for it.
   — DebPKansas

June 29, 2002
Your doctor will do his part by ordering heparin & TED hose etc, but the best thing YOU can do is to get up and walk ASAP. Keep moving, but DON'T rub your legs, it can dislodge any clots that may be forming.
   — Denise W.