Years ago, vein ligation and stripping surgery was the best way to deal with varicose veins. Unfortunately, the invasive procedure has a relatively long recovery time, so you could expect to be off work for up to a week or longer in some situations. It’s hard to take that much medical leave, so many people put off the procedure, meaning they had to continue dealing with the uncomfortable symptoms.
Fortunately, numerous minimally invasive varicose vein treatments are available, including radiofrequency ablation (RFA), endovenous laser ablation (EVLA), and sclerotherapy. These procedures have much shorter recovery times, allowing you to resume normal activities, including work, sooner. Get the details about going back to work after your procedure is complete.
If you get a minimally invasive treatment, you can return to most normal activities quickly. You’ll start walking immediately after the procedure, and you can return to work within one to two days. While that might seem fast, recovery is relatively easy with these procedures. Thus, you shouldn’t be in pain or experience discomfort when you get back to work.
If you have an office job, you can likely go back to work without any restrictions. However, if your job involves heavy lifting or strenuous activities, you will need to wait a few additional days before returning to full capacity. Your employer might be able to accommodate you so you can go back to work with some restrictions in place. If that’s not possible, you should be able to return within five days to a week. Your varicose vein specialist can discuss the restrictions with you so you can work out the situation with your employer.
Along with avoiding heavy lifting and strenuous activities, your doctor might provide some additional instructions for you to follow while at work. This might include keeping the bandage clean and walking regularly during breaks. Regular walks promote blood flow and reduce the risk of forming blood clots. That risk is already low after a minimally invasive procedure, but it will be even lower if you walk.
In addition, your varicose vein specialist will likely have you wear compression stockings for the first week to promote healing. You’ll need to wear the stockings while at home and work.
With short recovery times and high success rates, minimally invasive varicose vein treatments are a popular choice for patients. Dr. Vinay Madan at the Center for Varicose Veins can evaluate your symptoms and condition and recommend a treatment for you. Dr. Madan offers a wide range of treatments, including VenaSeal, radiofrequency ablation (RFA), and sclerotherapy. Contact the Center for Varicose Veins to schedule a consultation.
