After Your Procedure
Following your endovenous ablation procedure, microphlebectomy or injection sclerotherapy you will be encouraged to resume normal daily activities as soon as possible. You will be asked to walk immediately following your procedure and will also be asked to take at least two 20 minute walks per day in the several days following the procedure. While walking is strongly encouraged, we do ask that you refrain from stressful, pounding activities like weightlifting or aerobics for one week.
Some bruising or soreness is fairly typical 3-7 days following your ablation or phlebectomy procedure and is usually well-controlled simply with oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications.
Following endovenous ablation, with or without microphlebectomy, the leg will be wrapped in an elastic bandage for 48 hours, after which you will be asked to wear a compression stocking on the treated leg for seven days, from morning until bedtime. Along with walking, the stocking promotes good flow through the normal untreated veins of the leg and keeps treated veins collapsed while they permanently close down.
All patients who are treated with ablation or phlebectomy are typically seen in follow-up at The Vein Clinic in 2-3 weeks. Sclerotherapy patients are usually seen for a follow-up visit or treatment in 3-6 weeks, as needed.
If you have had treatment for deep venous thrombosis, aftercare is also focused on continuing prevention of formation of any new clots. After thrombolysis or pharmacomechanical thrombolysis you may be able to be discharged the same day or may spend an evening in the hospital to allow for observation or perhaps initiation of blood clotting medications. Most patients will be sent home on some type of anti-clotting medication. This is to prevent clotting while the lining and valves of the veins are given time to heal. Blood-thinning medications are usually continued for a minimum of six weeks following treatment.
Most patients are also started on a special compression stocking that encourages blood flow upward through the leg and helps prevent pooling of blood. Normal activity is also strongly encouraged, as muscular activity helps to pump blood through the veins of the legs.
Most patients will be seen in follow-up within the first week or two in The Vein Clinic. Blood thinning medications may be adjusted based on laboratory tests. If a patient has had multiple episodes of blood clot formation in their lifetime, or if a patient has a strong family history of blood clot formation, some additional testing may also be performed to evaluate for future risk and perhaps allow for precautions involving medications or other treatments, to reduce risk of future events.
