Two (or more), -component, body-implantable, absorbable, biocompatible, putty, and non-putty hemostatic tamponades for use in surgery. Component 1 is a finely powdered bulking material, preferably less than 50 microns, e.g. the calcium, magnesium, aluminum, or barium salts of saturated or unsaturated carboxylic acids containing about 6 to 22 carbon atoms, hydroxyapatite, DBM, polyglycolide, polylactide, polydioxinones, polycaprolactones, absorbable glasses, gelatin, collagens, mono, and polysaccharides starches. Component 2, a dispersing vehicle, may be esters of C8-C18 monohydric alcohols with C2-C6 aliphatic monocarboxylic acids; C2-C18 monohydric alcohols with polycarboxylic acids; C8-C30 monohydric alcohols; tocopherol and esters thereof with C2-C10 aliphatic monocarboxylic acids or polycarboxylic acids; absorbable 10-14C hydrocarbons; free carboxylic acids such as oleic, capric, and lauric; dialkyl ethers and ketones; alkyl aryl ethers and ketones, polyhydroxy compounds and esters and ethers thereof; (ethylene oxide/propylene oxide copolymers), oils e.g. olive oil, castor oil and triglycerides.