Surgical Thrombectomy: What to Expect at Home

Your Recovery

After the surgery, you will spend time in a post anesthesia care unit (PACU). Your care team will closely watch your heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing. You may be able to go home the same day. The doctor will tell you more about what to expect.

This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to get better as quickly as possible.

How can you care for yourself at home?

Activity

• You can go back to your normal activities when you get home.

Medicines

• Take your medicines as directed. Never skip or change a dose of your medicine. Call your doctor or your pharmacist if you have questions about your medicines.
• After you go home, you may need to take medicines to help stop blood clots from forming. You may need to take them for a short time or take them for a longer time.
• You may also need to take medicines to prevent clots before any future surgery. Always tell new doctors about your history of blood clots.
• Your doctor will let you know about any other changes in your medicines.
• You can take pain medicine at home if you need it, as directed.

Exercise

• Don't do any difficult activities or heavy lifting for several days. Your doctor will give you more specific instructions about activity.

Other instructions

• You may need to wear elastic (compression) stockings. The stockings help to keep your blood flowing. This may help stop clots from forming.
• If you smoke, try to quit. This will also help to prevent blood clots. Talk with your doctor if you need help to quit smoking.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and contact your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

When should you call for help?

Call 911 if you have:

• Chest pain.

Contact your doctor right away if you have:

• Swelling or pain that gets worse.
• Weakness or numbness near the area of your surgery.
• Bleeding from the incision or other places.
• A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as advised by your doctor.
• Symptoms of a blood clot, such as swelling, pain, warmth, and redness.
• Shortness of breath or trouble breathing.