Is it common to get blood clots after surgery?

Maybe: Depends on your personal health and the type of surgery.

Rare: But following the treatment regiment is key to prevention. For low risk surgery early movement (walking) is the most important advise. For larger surgery where you remain in bed for a while, medications and leg pumps may be used for prevention. Getting up and out of bed as early as possible is still important however.

Risk factors: This depends on assessing your risk factors & nature of the surgery. Prior history, weight, age, meds, air travel, family history, varicose veins, recent surgery, pelvic or venous manipulation, length of surgery are all risk factors. More than 5 of these places you at higher risk.