A: With routine daily use of support hose and time, patients who have tingling with the numbness usually will find the symptoms resolve. Some patients who undergo vein procedures, especially vein stripping, may experience some residual numbness that does not resolve. If it is very bothersome, you can talk to your doctor about possibly taking neurontin or other medication for nerve pain.

- Dr. Wright

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A: I strongly recommend that you continue to wear the compression stockings per your physicians recommendation since this has been shown to decrease the chance of “post thrombotic syndrome.”

Additionally, you really need to know which “valve is broken.” A complete ultrasound is needed. If you do not have any DVT anymore and you have superficial venous reflux, that could be treated and you could get improvement of your symptoms (assuming you have them).

- Dr. Wright

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A: Phlebectomy hooks would be the general name for the tool. There are many types including Varaday, Ramelet, and Mueller to name a few.

- Dr. Wright

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A: Normal activity should be ok, including walking, standing, and house chores. Activity can essentially be resumed right away. Rigorous exercise and heavy lifting (<20lbs) will need to be delayed by 1 week. Typically showering is ok immediately as well. I advise compression stocking use on the leg for 1 week after the procedure.

- Dr. Wright

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A: While there is no specific answer to this important question, the following guidelines should help: First, the question comes up because air travel is a known risk factor for the development of vein thrombosis and phlebitis. The concept is to minimize multiple risks for these complications. The risk of phlebitis is rather low after a vein operation, however the nature and extent of the procedure is the most important aspect to consider. Other pre-existing risks need also be taken into account. These include a previous history of phlebitis, a known hematologic hypercoaguable state, the general activity of the individual, and several co-morbid conditions.

While data suggests that the risk of flying increases over 2 1/2 hours, a planned shorter flight may be extended due to airline schedules, ect. I feel it is safe for a limited phlebectomy to fly after 2-3 days, where an extensive large vein sclerotherapy or endovenous vein ablation in my practice would lean towards 7-14 days.

- Dr. Wright

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A: Some blood in the bandages is seen sometimes. It is not a serious or concerning complication for the great majority of patients. Compression for 5-10 min should take care of the problem. If it continues bleeding, you should notify your doctor immediately.

- Dr. Wright

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A: ELVeS is certainly the endovenous laser associated with the least discomfort by patient rating, on a scale of 1-10 (10 being the worst), the average rating was 3. Which is almost zero, but not quite. It is not completely painless but close. Discomfort is very low.

- Dr. Wright

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There is no specific limit to the number of endovenous laser procedure that can be performed one one leg. There is no cumulative dosing such as in delivery of radiation procedures. However, the indications for EVLT are limited to the characteristics of treatable veins. These include a significant length of vein that is straight enough to pass the laser catheter through the vein. This applies to the greater saphenous, short saphenous, and the occasional branch tributary veins.

- Dr. Wright

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Most vein procedures are done without sedation. However most surgeries/ treatments can also be done with mild sedation with oral drugs and local anesthetic. Even the most apprehensive patients do well with oral medications and a supportive vein center atmosphere.

- Dr. Wright

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If you’re asking about the Endovenous Laser, it’s not very painful. More like mildly uncomfortable for most people. If you’re asking about the Cutaneous Laser, or an IPL they are a little more uncomfortable. It feels like grease popping on the skin. However, most people tolerate it well. If it bothers people you can use an anesthetic cream before the treatment which helps.

- Dr. Wright

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