Good news! Varicose vein treatment no longer requires a prolonged recovery period. Whereas previous treatment options, like vein stripping, required lengthy healing times, today’s procedures actually encourage the resumption of regular activity and exercise routines with minor to no modifications. Exercising regularly after treatment can actually aid in the recovery process and will ultimately lead to healthier legs.
Now, we are far beyond the outdated practice of removing the veins with an invasive surgery. New minimally invasive procedures, like Thermal Ablations, require no significant downtime, minimize healing time, produce consistent results and have far less complications as compared to invasive surgeries. Additionally, ablations are performed with local anesthesia, essentially eliminating the need for extended recovery periods and postoperative monitoring.
As an outpatient procedure, patients looking to treat their varicose veins can expect to walk in and out of their appointments in approximately an hour. Patients are encouraged to walk daily to reduce the risk of complications and to return to normal activities right after. Patients should not feel obligated to take time off from work to receive their treatments, in fact, some patients elect to have their procedures during their lunch breaks and return to work immediately after.
In the days following their procedures, patients may experience mild discomfort. Some discomfort is expected, but should be completely manageable with an over the counter Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) like Ibuprofen, Motrin or Advil. Patients may also find that daily walks help resolve or significantly improve any discomfort.
Compression stockings are also an important aspect of the recovery portion of treatment. Not only do they further reinforce the benefits of the procedure, they also aid in its success and are crucial in minimizing complications.
In the weeks following the procedure, patients will find that their symptoms significantly improve. As the body is working to rid itself of the treated veins, patients will note some changes in their legs. Aside from an overall improvement in their symptoms, patients may find areas in the leg in which the vein feels tougher and less flexible. Generally, larger saphenous veins may feel “lumpy and bumpy” to the touch after they have been treated - that is normal and may last for several weeks.
The only minor interruption to some patients' tendencies only applies to heavy weight lifters and avid runners. In the weeks following treatment, as the body heals, your doctor will recommend that you abstain from high-impact activities like running or kickboxing and will recommend that you only exercise with light weights and abstain from bearing down or holding your breath as you exercise.
In short, the recovery period following your treatment is minimal. Patients can expect to return to their regular routines immediately after treatment and any subsequent discomfort should be completely manageable.
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.
