EVLT and compression stockings 14 days post op.

After doing an EVLT, we usually ask our patients to wear the stockings over night and then to wear them during the day for 5 days.  After five days I encourage them to wear the stockings for comfort as well as for any long car or plane trips.  If you stop wearing them at 14 days, it will have absolutely, positively, no impact on the success of your procedures. If you still have varicose veins three weeks after your ablation, stockings aren't going to do anything to get rid of them.  At that point you would need either a micro-phlebectomy or ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy to rid your legs of the bulging veins.

There are no specific studies demonstrating the ideal length of time to use stockings after EVLT. Most physicians including myself recommend 1 to 2 weeks. I think at this point you should be fine to stop using them.  I do however recommend to all my patients and will make the same recommendation to you to try to use them as much as tolerated for maintenance of health in your remaining veins. So perhaps not in the summer while is so hot, unless you are indoors in air conditioning. But attempt to use them when possible, especially when traveling or standing/sitting in place for extended periods of time.  

We require stockings for 2 weeks post-EVLT.  After that, it is strongly recommended to wear them especially at work but our patient's are no longer required to wear them.  I think you should be fine if you wear them at your discretion after the mandatory time placed by your doctor.  Best of luck

Your surgical outcome should be the same if you stop using compression hose 2-3 weeks post operatively.  However, the more you can manage to wear compression hose, the fewer vein issues you will have in the future.  I would recommend using a lower strength compression to improve the comfort.

You can stop wearing them at 24 hours after or after 1-2 weeks. No studies have been published which show better outcome with or without stockings after endovenous ablation.Hratch L Karamanoukian MD FACScertified vein specialist (ABVLM) and double board certified surgeon

The first week is the most important time for compression after EVLT.  I recommend 2 weeks of compression but always tell my patients that week one use is the most important.  Generally week 2 is for day time use and I don't push for anything past that.  Many patients prefer using the compression as a "comforting" effect for anything past week 2.  This varies patient to patient.  

Compression is very important during the treatment phase to ensure the best outcome without complications. If you continue wearing compression socks after treatment phase, you get the added benefit that it provides, and it slows the aging process in your remaining veins. Therefore, we recommend you wear them even after the 3-week mark as much as you comfortably can. 

We recommend daily compression hose for the first 3 weeks.  The more you wear them I suggest is better.We tell the patients to wear them only during the day time and take them off at night. 

After the first 48 hours you can remove the bandage but continue to wear compression hose for 3 weeks post procedure. At this time only need to wear it during the day and not at night. Wear compression hose for at least 1 week following your doctor’s advice. The first follow up ultrasound is very important post procedure; the reason is to evaluate patency of the deep system and closure of the vein that was treated, and you already have had this done. Avoid strenuous exercise and avoid lifting more than 20 pounds for two weeks. It is recommended to continue to follow up with your doctor at 1 month post treatment next.

All the best!

The compression stockings isn't there to affect the outcome of your procedure (unless you have foam sclerotherapy of some additional branches), it is there for your comfort and to protect against complications like thrombosis and phlebitis. In many practices, patients wear the stocking for only the one week and then get on with their lives.