What to Expect After Vein Ablation Treatment

Varicose veins and CVI (chronic venous insufficiency) can be uncomfortable, inconvenient, and embarrassing, but they also may cause serious health problems that can affect your quality of life. If you are dealing with these vein problems, you are not alone; you should talk to your healthcare provider or physician about a vein ablation treatment.

At some moment in their lives, more than thirty percent of individuals suffer from varicose veins. While they may be relatively benign most of the time, sometimes they may develop into significant complications.

This situation is not surprising, as varicose veins indicate a lack of circulation in the damaged areas. However, there are modern treatments or procedures for varicose veins, and, as we mentioned before, the vein ablation treatment is among the safest and most effective.

Following, we will explore what to expect after a vein ablation treatment to help you decide if this varicose vein treatment (vein ablation treatment) is suitable for you.

We will begin by immersing into some of the causes of varicose veins and what vein ablation treatment would require. Then, below, we will explain the vein ablation procedure, containing what to expect before, during, and after.

VARICOSE VEINS: THE FACTOR AND THE REASON

Varicose veins are superficial veins becoming swollen and distorted. This evolution happens because the veins’ walls collapse and cannot withstand the pressure of the blood flowing through them. In addition, the valves in these veins can also malfunction, allowing blood to flow backward and cause pooling.

Therefore, blood pools in these weakened and damaged veins, enlarging them and causing them to bulge under the skin. Sometimes, they may take on a bluish, green, or darkened purple appearance and cause psychological effects.

You may probably be familiar with people calling varicoceles, the veins in the scrotum, and hemorrhoids, rectal varicose veins. These varicose veins can develop anywhere on the body but are common in the lower leg.

While the exact cause is unclear, risk factors for varicose veins include pregnancy, obesity, chronic blood pressure, constipation, and a tumor.

A sedentary lifestyle or a predisposition to DVT (deep vein thrombosis) is also a factor. Varicose veins also occur more frequently in older women than in any other demographic group.

HOW VEIN ABLATION WORKS

Vein ablation, or endovenous radiofrequency ablation, is a method that removes varicose veins in the legs. Since you do not need a surgical incision, there are no stitches or recovery period involved, and the process is commonly uncomplicated and very safe.

A specialist in the matter, an interventional phlebologist, a vascular surgeon, or a radiologist performs this type of vein procedure.

The specialized physician uses an ultrasound machine, a radiofrequency electrode, and a catheter. First, they will apply an ultrasound gel and examine the area with the ultrasound scanner to establish the exact location of the vein.

Afterward, they will sterilize, clean, and prepare the area with an anesthetic cream to reduce sensitivity. They then make a small incision in the skin and place the catheter and electrode into the vein. Next, the radiologist uses ultrasound to guide its path.

Once the catheter is in position, they will use radiofrequency energy to energize the electrode and heat the vein, closing it and eliminating the bulging appearance.

Finally, the specialist wraps and bandages the area, and the procedure is complete. This entire process only takes approximately an hour or so.

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER VEIN ABLATION TREATMENT

After the treatment, you can expect minimal bruising, swelling, and pain. You may also experience numbness in the region where the damaged vein was, which will resolve independently. However, it leaves virtually no scarring.

Your physician or healthcare provider will ask you to wear compression stockings over the affected legs for some time, and you should wear them as instructed. You should also walk regularly, for about forty-five to sixty minutes a day, so that your legs maintain healthy blood flow.

Your doctor or healthcare provider will instruct you to keep moving, not to sit for a prolonged time, and to avoid long-haul flights that require you to remain immobile.

Although rare, complications may cause skin redness, sensitivity, pain, or swelling that does not resolve or worsens. In this case, you should re-visit your physician to evaluate what is happening.

HOW QUICKLY WILL I SEE THE EFFECT OF MY TREATMENT?

Individual results vary, but you may expect to see the results of your vein ablation treatment very quickly. It is not rare for individuals to experience relief immediately after the treatment session. For example, you may feel less itching after the session.

However, it will take time for the healthy tissues around the treated varicose veins to absorb the treated veins.

Therefore, know that your skin may not be noticeably clearer as soon as the session is over. Also, you may need more than one treatment session to achieve the desired effects, depending on the number, size, and location of your varicose veins.

A follow-up consultation is likely necessary if your problems do not resolve within ten to fourteen days of your first session.

WHAT SHOULD I DO FOR A PROMPT RECOVERY?

To recover from your vein ablation treatment as quickly as possible, it is crucial that you not be sedentary.

If you return to work after your treatment and your job requires you to sit or stand in one place for hours, ensure a break every hour to get your blood circulating a little better.

During the first twenty-four hours of your treatment, you may not feel like walking, especially if you are targeting varicose veins in your legs, but try to walk a little more each day. Before you know it, you will regain full strength, and walking will be a breeze.

Ideally, it would be best if you got back to walking at least thirty minutes a day for the first week. After that, thirty minutes daily of moderate exercise will be excellent for cardiovascular health.

You can also help your recovery by getting as much sleep as possible. REM sleep is where most of your body’s healing occurs, and you cannot get enough REM sleep if you do not sleep soundly throughout the night.

It would help if you slept nine consecutive hours a night to heal as quickly as possible. Nevertheless, it is in your best interest to take ninety-minute naps during the day if you cannot sleep nine consecutive hours.

You should also stay hydrated and eat nutritiously during your recovery period. Your skin needs robust and healthy collagen to heal the incision site. Staying hydrated and well-nourished will help ensure that your collagen is as strong and healthy as possible.

WHAT TO AVOID AFTER A VEIN ABLATION TREATMENT

During your initial consultation, your healthcare provider will give you a complete list of things to avoid after your treatment. Strenuous exercise is one of the most important things to avoid after vein ablation.

You should not consider intense workouts or other strenuous physical activity for at least fourteen days after your procedure. It is also essential to avoid alcohol or nicotine consumption to ensure that your blood pressure remains healthy and does not delay your recovery unnecessarily.

In addition, you should avoid taking anything that may thin your blood or prevent clotting for some time after treatment. For example, you should not take MAOIs, NSAIDs, or vitamin E supplements. You should also avoid fish oil supplements.

Talk to your physician before you stop taking any medications or supplements. If it is not safe for you to stop taking what you are currently taking, you may consider not being a candidate for ablation.

MODERN HEART AND VASCULAR INSTITUTE

The bottom line is minimal discomfort and pain after a vein ablation procedure. Numerous patients do not require pain medication, while others may take over-the-counter analgesics. Nevertheless, you may experience some soreness and sensitivity in the area. Stinging, redness, and swelling are also possible but resolve quickly.

Following your physician’s recommendations will help decrease pain, and remaining physically active after the procedure will encourage faster healing.

If you suffer from varicose veins due to CVI (chronic venous insufficiency), a vein ablation procedure can be appropriate for you; a leg vein ablation can help relieve your symptoms. Vein specialists can evaluate your treatment alternatives and design a plan based on your current condition.

The thought of vein ablation may worry you. Still, you can rest assured that the expert cardiovascular specialists at Modern Heart and Vascular Institute can answer any question. So visit us at any of our locations or call us today at 832-644-8930, and we will be happy to help you. Enjoy your health.

We are Modern Heart and Vascular Institute, a diagnostic and preventative medicine cardiology practice. For more information, contact us.