My DVT was over 4 years ago and my DVT leg is about an 1/2 inch to an inch bigger around, from ankle to knee, than my non DVT leg. I don't think that's uncommon.

Ditto - 'bad' leg considerably larger all the way up (difference in size greatest at the thigh) than 'good' leg - very tricky when buying jeans online, and a disaster if I want to try to look smart in a skirt, but hey - both legs still attached & working - ish, still alive, can't really grumble =P

Yeah, Actually I notice it a lot when I wear jeans because they're tight around my knee and calf.

I wear skirts and dresses every day to work, often bare legged. I refuse to hide my legs, I don't care how ugly they look. I feel the same way- they function, keep me upright. So I don't have a whole lot to complain about.

Thank you both for answering me! rmb...I am going to try to adopt your attitude. I am grateful my legs are still working and it is what it is. It is good to know it's not just my leg!

No it's definitely not just you.

And to be honest, my legs weren't my best feature before my DVT, so I've had years to develop my who gives a crap it attitude about them. I probably am much more aware of every scar, bulging vein, red blotch, etc than others. Both my legs look like a train wreck, I can't lie. I have so many scars and varicose veins to begin with. I was just saying the other day that a little self tanner on my legs kind of hides some things, at least this what I tell myself, ha!

Seriously, if you hold your head high and walk with some confidence and get in touch with your inner bad ass, people will notice that before your legs. Just own it.

Ummm, both my legs are larger then the other ones...
Yes I can figure some people scratching their heads... lol
I have been wearing a FUGLY on my right leg since 2007 and one on my left one since 2011. Some days I omit to wear them, when I know that I have a light work day, but I NEVER stay on my feet or stay sitting for more then 20 minutes. That's when both my legs swell up.
I wear my comp. socks SPECIALLY when I ride my bike. That is when you need help getting proper blood circulation in your legs. On a day to day,I wear 30-40 and when I ride I wear the 20-30s just to eliminate the constriction effect.(Muscle expanding...)
This has all been overseen by my hemo.

Thanks Dero. I have not been wearing the compression socks when I walk on treadmill/ride stationary bike. I sweat so bad, I didn't even think to wear them.

Does anyone else wear them exercising? Maybe I need to?

Yes. DVT leg (calf) is noticeably larger than the other - about 1 inch bigger in diameter. There is a persitent bruise on the inside of the left ankle too, and the ankle occassionally swells up on me. I no longer wear compression hose though, except for long car rides, flights, etc....

Thank you RS. I wonder why our legs are bigger? I don't think it's swelling necessarily this far out. Do you all have any ideas as to why? Did building collateral circulation make it bigger? Just wondering.

It's swelling; the collateral circulation is more sluggish than the deep vein because it doesn't run through the big muscles of the calf, which pump the blood back up as you move about, so this is why it works best with compression stockings. They work like the muscles around the deep vein, to squash the blood back up, and also don't allow the fluid to leak out into the tissues and cause the swelling to occur. Also, of course, the collaterals become varicose, and those veins stick out and make the leg even bigger.

I'm 2 years out, now, and the legs look like squashy balloons with greeny blue sausages on top in many places, unless I'm wearing the darn compression, in which case I'm just a balloon above the stockings =P

Thanks Scattybat! That explanation makes sense.

My episode was over 10 yrs ago, Sometimes my leg and even the whole side of the body are bigger. And then without warning it lessens! I avoid salt but it really doesn't seem to be a factor. Being sedentary and elevating the leg seems to help. Because of this, I try to eat a healthy diet.