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*Treatment results may vary
Before & 3 weeks post op
After the procedure I had to wear the compression stockings for 7 days, 24 hours a day which was a bit uncomfortable. They were so tight around my feet that the pain of them digging into my toes and feet woke me up at night.
In terms of pain from the procedure itself - it was minimal. There was tenderness and bruising which was to be expected and a tightness/stiffness along my thigh which eased when walking but no real pain. Nothing more than the stiff feeling after vigorous exercise. I walked for 20 mins everyday in the first week and then was back in the gym within 2 weeks and ran a 10k race within 3 weeks.
I have since had my follow up appointment where I had a little more sclerotherapy to address the spider veins which had developed after the procedure (aparently this is common) and the small bit of varicose vein that remained at the bottom of my leg. I wore the stockings for a further 7 days (but only on the left leg). No pain at all. I will post final photos shortly.
In terms of pain from the procedure itself - it was minimal. There was tenderness and bruising which was to be expected and a tightness/stiffness along my thigh which eased when walking but no real pain. Nothing more than the stiff feeling after vigorous exercise. I walked for 20 mins everyday in the first week and then was back in the gym within 2 weeks and ran a 10k race within 3 weeks.
I have since had my follow up appointment where I had a little more sclerotherapy to address the spider veins which had developed after the procedure (aparently this is common) and the small bit of varicose vein that remained at the bottom of my leg. I wore the stockings for a further 7 days (but only on the left leg). No pain at all. I will post final photos shortly.
EVLT and Foam Sclerotherapy for Varicose Veins
I am 44 years old and have suffered with an ugly varicose vein on the back of my lower left leg since I was 28. I never go swimming, or wear shorts and it has affected my confidence in relationships. I have an amazing figure for my age and a nice pair of legs so I thought it high time I did something about it.
To say that I am not a fan of needles is an understatement! However I did a lot of research and decided to go ahead with the treatment last week, 5 days ago to be precise.
The doc did an ultrasound scan on both legs. Interestingly he found that in my right leg (where I had no visible varicose veins) the great saphenous vein was faulty and in the left leg (with the varicose vein) it was working fine but it was the smaller (or lower) saphenous vein that was faulty.
Therefore the treatment I had was EVLT to back of lower left leg with foam sclerotherapy injected into the vein at the same time. Then I rolled over to have the GSV lasered on my right leg (groin to knee). Although I had no visible varicose veins on the right leg the doc said sooner or later they would develop due to the faulty GSV and it was much cheaper to do both legs at the same time.
Ok, so in terms of pain. I found the local anaesthetic injections VERY uncomfortable although they were much more bearable on the front top of my right leg than the back of my lower left leg. Having said that he was also injecting the foam into my left leg which accounts for more pain and I also had a sharp pain which the doc said was my vein having a spasm due to this. When the laser was actually being performed I felt absolutely nothing at all. The only thing was a horrible taste of an ashtray in my mouth when he was lasering the GSV on my right leg. Not pleasant but didn't last too long.
So today is day 4 and I am wearing the compression stockings and walking at least 20 mins each day. I don't have any pain, just a stiffness and tightness if I don't move enough. It is much better when walking briskly. It is nothing worse than when you do some vigorous exercise and have stiffness in your leg muscles a day or so later.
I can take my stockings off on Friday so I don't really know how they look at the moment but I can see some bruising through the stockings.
I will keep updating with my progress when I get chance.
To say that I am not a fan of needles is an understatement! However I did a lot of research and decided to go ahead with the treatment last week, 5 days ago to be precise.
The doc did an ultrasound scan on both legs. Interestingly he found that in my right leg (where I had no visible varicose veins) the great saphenous vein was faulty and in the left leg (with the varicose vein) it was working fine but it was the smaller (or lower) saphenous vein that was faulty.
Therefore the treatment I had was EVLT to back of lower left leg with foam sclerotherapy injected into the vein at the same time. Then I rolled over to have the GSV lasered on my right leg (groin to knee). Although I had no visible varicose veins on the right leg the doc said sooner or later they would develop due to the faulty GSV and it was much cheaper to do both legs at the same time.
Ok, so in terms of pain. I found the local anaesthetic injections VERY uncomfortable although they were much more bearable on the front top of my right leg than the back of my lower left leg. Having said that he was also injecting the foam into my left leg which accounts for more pain and I also had a sharp pain which the doc said was my vein having a spasm due to this. When the laser was actually being performed I felt absolutely nothing at all. The only thing was a horrible taste of an ashtray in my mouth when he was lasering the GSV on my right leg. Not pleasant but didn't last too long.
So today is day 4 and I am wearing the compression stockings and walking at least 20 mins each day. I don't have any pain, just a stiffness and tightness if I don't move enough. It is much better when walking briskly. It is nothing worse than when you do some vigorous exercise and have stiffness in your leg muscles a day or so later.
I can take my stockings off on Friday so I don't really know how they look at the moment but I can see some bruising through the stockings.
I will keep updating with my progress when I get chance.