I had abdominal surgery for the 3rd time in 5 yrs 4 weeks ago today. I spent 1 week in the hospital then came home. The 2nd day of being home i started noticing some very sore tender areas on the area above my knee lt leg. It continued to get worse with some pink in the center area the the bruising had spread across and down beside the outside of the knee. measured a good 4 long. It was veery painful to touch and walking was painful. I had an appointment with my PCP, he had an ultrasound fun just to be sure and there was no blood clot. A few days later I had 2 more appear but on the other leg and, one across the front about midway and the other on the side close to the calf. these both also are very painful when touched or standing or walking. I went to my surgeon he said it is Phlebitis, and we are treating it with an aspirin 325 mg coated daily. I started them that day. Today, 5 days later I have several more areas that are close enough that they will all become one big one eventually. So after saying all that, here is my question, Is this going to be something that is going to be a perpetual problem form from now on? they are very painful and I just want to be prepared mentally.