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Varicose Vein Surgery Recovery Time & More

By September 16, 2021December 19th, 2023Vein

Varicose veins are no one’s friends. These are a condition where the valves of one’s veins struggle to pump blood effectively, which causes the vein to bulge from under the skin and may be a source of discomfort. These are most commonly found in the legs and feet as the force of gravity pushes against the blood pumping up the veins and back to the heart. If you’re suffering from these, then locating a varicose veins doctor can be a good solution. Here at United Vein & Vascular Centers, our board-certified physicians are skilled at providing fast and minimally invasive solutions through the use of cutting edge technology. If you want to know more about treatment and varicose vein surgery recovery time, then we have the information for you. If you’re looking for us, you can find United Vein & Vascular Centers in states around the country from Colorado to Florida.

How Long Does it Take to Recover From Varicose Vein Surgery?

First and foremost, we want to stress that the term “surgery” is misleading for most varicose veins patients. Typically, minimally invasive procedures are used instead, predominantly sclerotherapy and radiofrequency ablation. In both cases, a local anesthetic will be provided while the veins are treated, but the procedures are not invasive like typical surgery is. For radiofrequency ablation, for example, a small catheter is inserted into the vein, and radio waves are used to scar it. This causes the vein to close, be reabsorbed into the body, and blood to be redirected to other veins.

Both procedures are relatively quick, taking less than an hour in most circumstances and may be even as quick as 15 minutes. After the anesthetic wears off, you’ll be able to carry on with your everyday activities immediately. That said, this is true for normal activities, but you should still give your legs a few days to a week before returning to work or other exertive activities. You’ll notice that your leg will be bandaged upon leaving, which you should wear for 24 hours. After that period, you can remove the bandages and wear the provided support stockings, which will help support your vascular system while the body heals and redirects blood flow. They may feel tight, but this is normal. Some symptoms after the procedure include cramping, tightness, swelling, and bruising that may or may not occur, and painkillers will be prescribed to you in the event that these symptoms leave you with some discomfort. This should continue for about two weeks before the compression stockings are no longer required.

Improve Your Vascular Health in Other Ways

Keeping your veins healthy after your treatment is an important step to avoid developing new varicose veins. If you don’t have varicose veins now, then it can still be helpful to take preventative measures to avoid developing them later. Here are some tips for keeping your veins happy:

1. Eat a potassium-rich diet

    • Potassium is very beneficial to your vein health, and many Americans lack adequate intake of this nutrient. Consider speaking with a dietitian about including more potassium-rich foods in your diet

2. Exercise regularly

    • Exercise helps keep your blood pumping and supports a healthy vascular system. Try to get some exercise every day, even if only a little.

3. Elevate your legs

    • Since varicose veins are most commonly found in the legs, giving your legs a break and elevating them can help provide your veins with relief. This is especially true if your job involves standing or sitting for long periods of time.

4. Wear compression socks

    • Those compression stockings – or compression socks – that we mentioned regarding aftercare can be used any time to give your legs support when they need it most. Consider wearing them to work if you spend long hours on your feet.

Contact Us for a Varicose Veins Doctor

If you’re looking for a varicose veins doctor in states like Colorado, Arizona, Florida, or anywhere else where you can locate a United Vein Centers, then contact us for treatment. If you’d like to know more about varicose vein surgery recovery time, aftercare, side effects, or other details, we can provide that information as well.

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