Dr Krista Bannon, who is part of the Michigan Metro Vein Centers Team, shares what to do post-treatment. Her more than five years of experience as a general surgeon, along with journal publications, make her an advocate of implementing post-operative care. Part of seeing successful results is what you do when you leave the vein center. Here, she shares what to expect and what to do when you visit any of their vein clinics.
Thoughts on Recovery
The recovery period hinges on on the kind of treatment you receive. There are many popular surgeries in vein clinics and two of those are: endovenous laser treatment and ambulatory phlebectomy. Those are outpatient procedures that usually last an hour. Procedures that are longer and more invasive can require an overnight stay in hospital. Ask someone to drive you home as a safety precaution and it is best that you have someone staying with you for 24 hours after the surgery. Majority of patients take one or two weeks to recover. If you had treatment on both legs, prepare for a lengthier healing time frame.
It is important to rest immediately after the procedure. When the anesthesia wears off, you may feel a mild tingling sensation, but it should not be a stabbing deep pain. If the feeling is uncomfortable, take an ibuprofen which both has pain killing and anti-inflammatory properties. If it is too unbearable, do not hesitate to call your doctor.
Caring for the Affected Area
The dressing or bandages must remain for one to two days. You can take a quick shower, but water must not be too hot, otherwise, it can cause re-bleeding. You cannot soak in the tub nor swim in a pool until your surgical injury has totally scabbed and healed.
Wearing of compression stockings is required for a minimum of three days because these promote proper blood flow. Wearing them will also make you feel a lot better. Take them off only for sleeping or showering. Avoid being stuck in the same position for too long periods of time. Minimal bleeding is expected, but if you notice some seeping into the bandage, elevate your leg and put some pressure on the wound. If the bleeding is excessive, call your doctor immediately.
While in the recovery period, be mindful of your actions. Standing for so long is going to be bothersome. In the same token, being seated too long will be uncomfortable. Vary your positions to promote blood flow.
If the leg feels sore, prop them up on a wall to reverse the blood flow and ease inflammation. Don’t forget to inspect the bandages. If there is any red blood seeping through, put some bit of pressure on the area to impede the blood and make it clot. If the blood still flows and the discomfort does not abate, it is time to call your doctor.
When to Exercise
Strenuous, heavy exercises aren’t recommended for a minimum of 14 days post-op. Taking regular walks is fine because doing so actually improves your blood circulation and prevents clots. As the soreness dissipates within the day, you can slowly increase your distance and your time walking.
Follow Up
The doctor will tell you when your follow-up appointment is and be sure to attend because she will inspect if the vein has fully healed and closed. Phlebitis, a condition that manifests with lumps on the leg, sometimes happens after surgery. This resolves itself in a month.
Though extremely rare, deep vein thrombosis is a possible complication after surgery. This is a serious issue that could take your life. Listen to your body. If you feel something is off, talk to your doctor right away.
To minimize the recurrence of varicose veins, commit to exercising regularly, wear supportive stockings or socks, and strive for a healthy body weight. Dr. Bannon is confident that if you follow these tips, then you can live a full healthy life without your varicose veins ever bothering you again.
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