What is a blood clot in cosmetic surgery, and how is it prevented?

A blood clot is blood solidifying in a deep vein of the leg; if the clot travels to the lungs it can be dangerous. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) lists it explicitly as a risk of surgery.

How to read the table

The table divides in two. Surgery-related conditions can be adjusted through planning; personal conditions are things you need to disclose in advance. Things only you know, such as smoking or hormone medication, do not enter the risk assessment unless you say them.

What these figures do not mean

That prevention exists does not mean there is no risk. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons lists this explicitly as a risk of surgery.

What makes the difference?

• Operation time — The longer it is, the higher the chance — especially when several procedures are done at once.
• Movement — Lying still for long periods during recovery slows the flow in the leg veins.
• Personal conditions — Smoking, obesity, a history of clots and hormone medication are named as factors that raise the risk.

What happens in the body?

Blood solidifying in a deep vein of the leg is called deep vein thrombosis; if the clot breaks off and travels to the lungs it can be dangerous. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons lists this explicitly as a risk of surgery, alongside cardiac and pulmonary complications. Because it appears somewhere quite different from the operated area, it is easy to miss the link with the surgery.

What planning can adjust, and what you need to disclose

The chance rises when the operation is long or there is little movement during recovery. That part is adjusted by planning: how much to do in one session and when walking starts. Smoking, obesity, a history of clots and hormone medication, on the other hand, are things only you know; unless you say them they do not enter the risk assessment. It is safer to disclose them first at consultation.

Why ask what is done for prevention?

Whether compression devices are used, when walking starts, and whether medication is used where needed are the items to confirm. Prevention does not mean there is no risk, but whether the clinic answers concretely about what is prepared is itself a basis for judgement. If you plan to have several procedures at once, ask this first.

What to confirm at consultation

• How your risk is assessed
• Whether compression devices are used during and after surgery
• When walking starts
• Whether medication is used for prevention where needed

Asking about your own case

The table above gives general ranges and does not apply to you as it stands. Rephrasing the question like this at consultation gets you an answer for your own case.

How did you assess my risk? Are compression devices used? When will I start walking?

Common misunderstandings

Aren't blood clots rare?

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons lists them explicitly as a risk of surgery. Regardless of how likely they are, a clot that travels to the lungs can be dangerous, so prevention and early detection are treated together.

Is there anything I should tell the clinic in advance?

Smoking, obesity, a history of clots and hormone medication are named as factors that raise the risk. Things only you know do not enter the risk assessment unless you say them, so it is safer to disclose them first at consultation.

Symptoms that mean you should contact the clinic immediately →

Related questions

• Which symptoms after surgery mean I should contact the clinic immediately?
• How do I check whether a clinic is safe?
• How long does cosmetic surgery usually take?