Are you considering vein ablation to treat your varicose veins? If so, it’s important to understand what the procedure entails and what you can expect afterward. This blog post will outline some of the common side effects and recovery periods associated with vein ablation. Keep in mind that everyone recovers differently, so be sure to talk to your doctor about what to expect after vein ablation.
What is Vein Ablation?
Vein ablation, also known as endovenous ablation or endovenous laser treatment (EVLT), is a minimally invasive procedure that uses lasers to treat vein problems. Vein ablation surgery can be performed in a single day or over multiple sessions depending on your symptoms and how many veins need treatment. The procedure involves threading an endoscope through the skin of the groin area into one of two large veins (the femoral or iliac vein). Once inside these veins, blood clots will be removed using either heat energy (radiofrequency) or mechanical instruments such as forceps.
Vein Ablation Recovery
The vein ablation is done under local anesthesia and takes about 30 minutes. The vein the practitioner operates on will depend on which vein has caused the patient problems. Recovery time largely depends on what vein was ablated and at what area, as well as if any veins were removed or if any other procedures such as transplants were performed during the vein ablation process.
Patients who only had an endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) can go home originally with compression stockings to help aid in vein healing along with some mild pain relievers, but these treatments vary depending on how severe a patient’s case is. Patients may need more than one vein ablation for best results and each session takes less time, so recovery time decreases after each vein ablation.
Patients are encouraged to remain active during this healing process in order to minimize discomfort and promote faster recovery time.
Vein Ablation Side Effects
After vein ablation, patients should never take aspirin or any blood-thinning medication. They may experience some side effects that may appear such as:
- Leg pain during movement
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Numbness around the lower leg where treatment is performed
- Itchy skin at injection sites
- Hypersensitivity of the skin
Schedule Your Vein Ablation Treatment with Dr. Schemetterer
Some medical procedures can be difficult to schedule because of the number of people who need them. Vein ablation is a great alternative for patients with varicose veins and other vein-related problems, but it’s not always easy to find time in your busy life for this type of procedure that you may only have once or twice in your lifetime.
That’s where Dr. Schemetterer comes in! He has been performing these treatments for years, so he knows all about scheduling around patient needs while following strict safety protocols. If you are looking for a quality vascular surgeon in Youngstown Ohio, don’t hesitate to book your consultation today!
