Prevention -- 8 Before-Treatment and After-Treatment Steps

In addition to following your healthcare provider's advice, these steps may help reduce the risk of DVT and its complications while you recover from surgery or injury:

1. Inform your healthcare team about all of the medications you are taking, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Write them down to help you remember.
2. If you are on regular aspirin therapy, stop taking aspirin according to the schedule recommended by your healthcare provider -- usually 10 days to 2 weeks before surgery. Never adjust the dose and timing of your medications without consulting with your doctor.
3. If you have a personal or family history of blood clots or if your healthcare provider has told you that you are at risk for blood clots, make sure all the members of your healthcare team know, including surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and physical therapists.
4. Get up and walk around as soon as you can, with your doctor's permission.
5. Elevate your legs about 6 inches while in bed recovering.
6. Ask your doctor for leg exercises and stretches you can do every half hour while recovering in bed.
7. As soon as they are allowed, drink fluids after your procedure or injury to avoid dehydration.
8. Refrain from drinking alcohol or smoking, especially before, during, or after the recovery period and for the duration that you'll be off of your feet.

Learn more about your personal choices for preventing DVT. Take the RealAge DVT Health Assessment.