Posted , 5 users are following.
I am scheduled to have VV surgery in a couple weeks, but now reading all the posts on the painful recovery process I'm having 2nd thoughts. I've got VV in both legs that are painful, especially at night, but could probably live with, although I hate the thought of taking IBprofin everyday. Can I get some pros & cons from anyone that's had this surgery? Thanks so much - Linda
0 likes, 8 replies
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ptolemy hoochiemama
Posted
hoochiemama ptolemy
Posted
I'm having PHLEBECTOMIES - RIGHT LEG. From what the Dr. explained he'll make an incision above & below the vein and go in and pull it out. He uses "glue" instead of stitches, they'll wrap the leg in bandages then put surgical stockings on. (the ultrasound showed no clots and 2 of the valves in the left leg aren't working) Dr. said my VV are not life threatening. I could wear support hose to help....but they'll never go away. My thought was to have them taken care of before they get worse and I get any older (68). After reading all the comments on this website I'm nervous that I may need to re-consider. Anyone have any good comments to make??
hoochiemama
Posted
Should have added that they're painful at night - wake me up - have to take Ibuprofen to stop the pain. This is why I'm looking into surgery.
ptolemy hoochiemama
Posted
hoochiemama ptolemy
Posted
My Dr. said they'll talk to me about what they'll use the day of surgery. I'm hoping it's propofol? since I had that a few weeks ago for another procedure and it was great! No sickness and woke up with a clear head. What it the "radio ablation" all about? Did this method remove the veins? Or leave them in your leg, but shrink them? Interested in your answer. Thanks
ptolemy hoochiemama
Posted
shelia22921 hoochiemama
Posted
Vein in my right leg kept hurting, I just went on the pain got worse and I couldn't take it anymore,they did a ultrasounds and no clots, next day I had it done said to wear walking shoes,was painful only gave me 2 valium it was wrapped and stocking was put on and I got dressed he came in told me to go walking with out stopping for 45 minutes, before I went home then 30 Mi everyday walking was given mobic 15 mg for pain once a day, change dressing every day only used Aquaphor cream on it they gave me, I had swelling in it but it went down slowly, recheck in two weeks I still had to walk and wear stocking for a while. hope this helps you.
cait99971 hoochiemama
Posted
Hi there,
It depends on what kind of treatment you're getting. I can only speak from my experience but I can tell you I think it's worth it.
First, I had the EVLT (laser) surgery to close the part of the vein that was causing problems. I was told I would get a topical anesthetic which would make my leg numb as well as a numbing agent put into the vein to keep me from feeling the laser. In my opinion, topical anesthetic wasn't enough. On a scale of 1-10 (10 being unbearable pain), I was at a 7. I wasn't crying but I was close. At first I thought they did something wrong because I was in so much pain even though they said they gave me the anesthetic. And while I'm sure the numbing agent that was put into the vein stopped me from feeling the laser, the numbing process was one of the worst parts. They gave me some squeeze balls to hold and tried to distract me with conversation but, honestly, it was all I could do to not yell at them that what I was feeling couldn't be normal. Now I realize from reading these message boards that a lot of people have had the same experience, so I wonder why they don't put more people under or offer them better relaxers (they offered me Xanax which did nothing but make me a little light-headed).
So that's the bad news. Here's the good news. The pain during the first procedure lasted about 15 minutes (although it felt a lot longer). I was in pain for the rest of the day but (with the help of a hot water bottle) was able to sleep well through the night. The next day I was stiff but not in pain. The day after that, I was back walking around as usual with barely any pain at all. So while the procedure itself was bad, the bounce back period was great.
I had my second surgery (an ambulatory phlebectomy) yesterday. This surgery was way way waaaaaaay better than the first. They still gave me the numbing agent (which was still painful) but since the surgery was just on the surface of the skin, I was completely numb the whole time and felt no pain. Even after the numbing wore off, I still felt almost no pain. It's been about 24 hours now and I still don't feel anything but a bit of soreness. My leg looks horrible (lots of bruising) but that will go away in a couple weeks.
While the first part might deter you from getting the surgery, I would tell you to focus on the end result. The pain I felt for those 15 minutes is worth not having to deal with the pain I've been dealing with for the last five years. Ask the doctor if you could possibly have laughing gas or something stronger than Xanax to calm and numb you (it's worth a shot). If not, just keep thinking of never having to deal with the pain or unsightliness of your varicose vein anymore.
Good luck!