Common symptoms of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) include pain, swelling, and redness, most often in the thigh or calf, or 1 leg being significantly more swollen than the other. Signs of a pulmonary embolism (a clot that has migrated to one of your lungs) include breathing troubles, chest pains, coughing (including possibly coughing up blood), and an irregular heartbeat. Remain vigilant in watching for these symptoms for at least 90 days after your hospital stay. In fact, seek medical attention no matter how long after your surgery the symptoms occur.
You may, for instance, be prescribed medications to relieve pain and reduce the risk of infection. You might also be prescribed a blood thinner to reduce your risk of developing blood clots.
You might walk around your room several times per day, for example, or go for walks in the hallway. Don’t try this without being instructed to do so, though! If you can’t get out of bed, you may be given leg stretches and maneuvers to do at regular intervals. The care team may also advise you on the best ways to change body positions.
Get clarification from your care team before drinking a beverage a family member or other visitor brings you. Plain water is nearly always the best choice.
You may need to continue wearing compression stockings or wraps after you leave the hospital. Get clarification on how long you should wear them.
Ask questions like: “Will I be taking any blood thinners?”; “What time of day should I take the blood thinner pill, and should I take it with or without food?”; “What mobility exercises can I do that won’t cause pain, damage my stitches, or harm my surgical site?” Take notes so you don’t forget any of the information, or have a loved one take notes for you.
Coumadin, which is typically taken by mouth once per day. Lovenox, which you’ll likely self-inject twice daily using pre-loaded syringes. Aspirin for blood thinning purposes. Take only the recommended daily dose.
Follow your care team’s instructions on what types of movement to do and how often. Don’t, for instance, start biking or swimming before you’re cleared to do so. If you’re working with a home health care worker, visiting nurse, and/or physical therapist, they’ll help guide you through the movements you should be doing.
Other liquids and foods with high water content (like many fruits and vegetables) will also help you stay hydrated. Avoid drinking too many alcoholic or sugary beverages, though. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to take a drink. Carry a reusable water bottle around with you.
Don’t cut out vitamin K-rich foods unless advised to do so by your doctor. Dark leafy greens and other vitamin K-rich foods are very good for your health if you’re not on blood thinners. If you’re only taking aspirin, don’t worry—vitamin K doesn’t affect it.
Fruits: apricots, oranges, blackberries, tomatoes, pineapples, plums, blueberries. Spices: curry, cayenne, paprika, thyme, turmeric, ginger, gingko, licorice. Vitamins: vitamin E (walnuts, almonds, lentils, oats, wheat, etc. ) and omega 3 fatty acids (fatty fish such as salmon or trout). Plant Sources: sunflower seeds, canola oil, safflower oil. Supplements: garlic, ginkgo biloba, vitamin C, nattokinase supplements. Talk to your doctor before taking supplements. Wine and honey.
Ask your care team to show you simple leg stretches and movements that you can do at least every 15 minutes while sitting in a plane, train, bus, or car seat. Whenever possible while traveling, get up and walk around for 5 minutes every hour. Walk up and back the aisle on your train or plane, or stop the car and take a little stroll around the highway rest stop. Make sure to stay well-hydrated and wear compression stockings while traveling as well.
Remember that common symptoms of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) include pain, swelling, and redness, most often in the thigh or calf. Additionally, signs of a pulmonary embolism (a clot that has migrated to one of your lungs) include breathing troubles, chest pains, coughing (including possibly coughing up blood), and an irregular heartbeat.
Seek advice on your ideal pre-surgery weight goal and the best ways to get there from your primary care doctor and, if possible, the surgeon who will be performing the procedure. It’s important that you focus on healthy ways to lose weight in a slow, steady manner. Prioritize eating a healthy diet, reducing your calorie intake, and getting regular exercise.
You may worry that you’ll gain weight if you quit smoking, but it’s possible to quit smoking without weight gain. And, even if you do gain a bit of weight, it’s still better for your health to quit smoking. If you’ll be in the hospital for a few days after your surgery, remember that you won’t be able to smoke anyway. Quitting beforehand will make this experience easier on you.
You may, for instance, be directed to stop taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) medication or oral contraceptive pills 4 weeks before your surgery. If you’re taking aspirin or other blood thinning medications, you’ll likely have to stop taking these 1 week before surgery. Clarify with your surgeon when you need to stop taking your medications. Some patients are not advised to stop taking their blood thinning medications. This is dependent on the type of surgery and if the risks of stopping the medication outweigh the potential benefits. Do not stop any medication without being directed to do so.
