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Questions on the precautions to take following varicose vein surgery 
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Is it safe to fly after varicose vein surgery?
Yes,
- for short flights (under 2 hours) from 8 days after surgery
- for intercontinental flights: it is preferable to wait a month, but particular cases (with certain precautions) can be considered
- my patients who live overseas often leave between 3 and 8 days after varicose vein surgery, (with certain precautions
Are there any particular precautions I have to take after varicose vein surgery?
The most important precautions concern lifestyle:
- regular wearing of compression stockings (or varicose vein stockings)
- walk for at least half an hour per day (avoid stamping and standing still)
- raise the legs on your bed
- take warm showers
- do not expose yourself to the sun, especially during the first year.
- gradually resume sporting activity after 15 days
- be prepared to arrange lymphatic drainage massage or pressotherapy using pneumatic boots where there are residual edemas after 5-6 weeks.
How long after varicose vein surgery will I have to keep dressings, stitches and compression stockings?
Dressings can be changed from the 2nd – 3rd day after varicose vein surgery. Around the eighth day after the operation, at the monitoring consultation, the dressings will be removed. Elastic compression using stockings or tights must be maintained for 2-4 weeks, occasionally longer, depending on the resorption of the edema in the legs. Waterproof dressings mean that showers are possible. There are no stitches to take out, just the steristrips® to remove 8 days after the varicose vein operation. Swimming is recommended after the 8th day.
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Will varicose vein surgery ease my leg pain?
Yes, in 80-90% of cases, medical treatment complements the surgical procedure and helps to ease the persistent pain, which is generally seasonal.
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What are the risks of suffering phlebitis?
Vein stripping avoids phlebitis as it removes the superficial veins. The risk of deep phlebitis is minimal, prevented by the timely resumption of walking and, in certain circumstances, by preventive coagulation. The risk of phlebitis is practically zero when using tumescent local anesthesia.
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Why re-operate on varicose veins?
Recurrences are unusual if a monitoring Doppler ultrasound scan is correctly carried out after the varicose vein surgery. Development of the disease over time can be kept well under control by sclerotherapy.
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Are the results of varicose vein surgery permanent?
A correctly removed varicose vein cannot recur. Vein stripping, crossectomies, saphenectomies and phlebectomies performed by a vascular surgeon offer the guarantee of total removal of varicose veins and their origin: perforating or cross veins that reflux. Conversely, regular monitoring (at least annual) by a phlebologist is essential, because as varicosis develops, new varicose veins independent of the previous ones can appear regardless of the success of the previous treatment. These should be treated by sclerosis. Regular monitoring of the state of your veins is essential to avoid new varicose veins.
Read on : Questions on the fees for varicose vein surgery
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