Recovery from vein surgery... slow and painful

Hello, just found this forum, I'm booked for surgery with the nhs on 19/3/14, I'm having something done to my lower legs but they haven't exactly told me what the procedure is called! I had a scan and was told I would receive a letter in due course, the letter then told me I was booked into day surgery, with no other info, when I had the scan his words were most of these veins are "gone" and when I asked why it took so long to be referred I was told that they only refer you on nhs because of the eczema on the veins, I'm 28 and had pain and eczema on my lower legs since I was 15, I was just curious does anyone know how long I may need off work? I was hoping a week would be enough? If anyone had any info I would be very grateful, thank you x

I'm in my mid 30s. I was scheduled for a EVLT procedure yesterday. I got there and after repetitive and continuous needle stabbing ( all of you who had it done know what I'm talking bout) , the doctor stood up and said that he couldn't pass the wire through the vein cause it was thin and maybe I was dehydrated. No further explanation to me or to at least my husband since I was under the effect of Valium. Today, I'm in pain, disappointed, and I really don't even know what to do or what's next. He talked bout vein injections but will that fix my reflux issues?

Hi i find this forum and thought i need to share my Surgery experience but sorry if any spelling mistakes!

I have had my first leg surgery the 19.03.14 and the second last Wednesday 26.03.14 during the 4 hours after the OP on arrival home my bandage was on the floor i panic and call my doctor during my phone call to him my blood just shoot out of my leg and i stood in blood so my friend went with me to see doctor i didn't know what is wrong and why i have such strong bleeding!my small cuts was glued and the glue did not hold the blood pressure,my doctor need it to react very quickly as i lost lot of blood and started to saw the open wound i was screaming and was in shock this was the worse doctor visit to me and i am still in pain in both legs have massive bruising and can walk just with real suffer pain the pain killer helping just for short time,i am still shocked and the stockings are tide (as they have to make the right pressure to the vains)uncomfortable and hurting my sores and bruises but i hope my suffering pain will pay off and after i will be able to wear shorts and go to the beach :-)

I'm 50 and this is my 2nd EVLT in both legs (Dec 19, 2007 Original both legs same day) and March 18, 2014 (Right Leg) and March 25, 2014 (Left Leg) {Doctor stated they were too extensive in work involved to do both on the same day}. It is not "a walk in the park" but very manageable. The procedure was about 5 pain level on a scale of 1/10. I have walked for almost 100 miles since March 10th and the bulk of it has been after the EVLT Procedure. Walking is mildly painful but very manageable, and I'm walking at an average pace of 3.5 MPH. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Sure there is some recovery time, but I would say the worse part of the recovery are the compression hose, but they are necessary and do help. I was glad I did it the 1st time and I'm glad I did it again ~ Wish I would not have had to have the procedure done again, but my veins began to reappear again last year as I think I just must have bad valves (Mother and Grandmother had bad varicose veins) It is fairly expensive as I will have to pay my full deductible of $5400 and then the insurance will probably still have to pay an additional $1000. Hope this information is helpful as I'm glad I read this site after I got my EVLT done as it would have made me VERY uneasy had I read it prior. Good Luck to ALL =)

I did not pay anything :-) as the Medicare in Germany pay fully also the veins injections after the surgery but in Australia where i am from the Medicare don't pay a cent as varicose vein surgery is a Cosmetic Surgery in America is the same

I'm so glad I found this forum to read other people's experiences. The NHS service no longer funds this treatment so I had to pay privately. I was seen by the consultant for tests and then made an appointment for the laser treatment on both legs. I hadn't a clue what to expect. I thought it would be a case of hitching up my skirt for some kind of injection. Oh no. I was stripped and prepared for surgery and taken into an operating theatre. I wanted to walk out at this point but knew I would not get a refund. I was given sedation and don't remember anything until I was in a recovery room. After a while I went into a private room and had coffee and sandwiches. I had no one to collect me so went home on the tube. The next day I was back to normal and did a big shop at the supermarket. I didn't need any pain killers either. It is now 7 days post op. My legs are black and blue and one section at the top of the inner thigh is painful. The worse bruise is on the back of my hand where the canula was inserted. People do seem to vary in their response to this procedure. Can't wait to get rid of the support leggings though. I'm 71 by the way.

It does seem everyone reacts differently. I certainly wouldn't want to go back to a hard manual job.

I would agree with this! I had my surgery (laser) and vein stripping 2 weeks ago and despite having been told it might be about a week and then all would be pain free I am still in agony 2 weeks later! Day 8 was the worst and despite alternating Ibuprofen and Paracetamol I am still waking up in agony and finding it hard to walk

I really wouldnt have done this had I known what the agony was like

Hello

Im due for my operation Ligation and Stripiing on both lefs below the knee

does anyone have an idea of how long I will be out of work as i stand alot at work too

thanks alot

James

It sounds as if your experience was harrowing. I had stripping of the saphenous vein in one leg one week ago. I am in Australia so techniques may be slightly different but wanted to share my suggestions for recovery (so far...). I had day surgery under general anaesthetic and bandages and steri strips for a week then a suport stocking.

PLANNING & PREPARATION: if you have a choice have the surgery in winter.

Have your leg waxed so it does not have to be shaved.

Shoes -To come home and for the first week you will have trouble reaching your foot and will need large , slip on shoes and a long handled shoe horn

Clothes - a long skirt or very baggy pants. Undies with a soft cuff around your groin as I have a large incision there.

Support Stocking - purchase and practice putting it on before - it is tight and quite tricky over the healing cuts and bruises.

Showering - a large garbage bag and waterproof tape. A plastic stool in the shower (it's really slippery with a plastic bag on your foot).

First night - someone with you; pain relief beside bed; sick bag or bucket nearby; water; phone; something to lift doona off your leg and foot (I used a washing basket on it's side). I used a walking stick for the first day as I felt a bit unsteady.

Fridge - easy to prepare/ frozen meals.

Medications - hirudoid or similar cream to rub on bruises afetr bandgaes come off; I just take panadol for analgesia and 100mg asprin for anticlotting.

The main guidance from my surgeon was to walk 5 to 10 mins every hour to recover quickly and avoid complications. It hurts a bit but not too much. I would recommend someone to walk with you for the first couple of days if possible.

This forum did help me modify my expectations and be prepared for a lot of bruising, some lumps and pain. Hope my suggestions make someone else's recovery easier.