Closure surgery for varicose veins

I'm looking for feedback from anyone who has had the Closure procedure done - looks like I'll be getting it in about 10 weeks. I'm most interested in the aftercare: how you feel, what the restrictions/requirements are for rest and exercise, drugs needed, when you're totally normal again, follow-up procedures, that sort of thing. The pamphlet/website info is vague, I realize it will vary to a certain extent depending on the individual, but I'd still like to hear something concrete.

I'm not looking for info on vein stripping or saline injections - just the Closure treatment, where they cauterize with radio frequency and shrivel it up without removing it.

Why do I think of all these questions *after* I leave the doctor's office, grr.

Mon. Sep 24, 10:27pm

risks for closure technique for varicose veins

The risks of sclerotherapy and radiofrequency closure technique for varicose veins include:

* Recurrence of varicose veins (fairly common).
* Blood clots in the veins.
* Small scars.
* Numbness at the site of catheter insertion (radiofrequency closure technique only).
* Bleeding sores (ulceration).
* In rare cases, allergic reaction to the solution injected into the vein (sclerotherapy only).
* In rare cases, permanent changes in the color of the skin or the formation of tiny new blood vessels (matting) in the area that was treated.

Link

Tuesday, September 25, 2007, 5:38 AM

be very careful, just make sure you are getting what you think you are. You also need to be 1000% certain what your insurance company will pay. Get it in writing, they will try and screw you.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007, 2:00 PM

I just had this done in March. My insurance paid for it because my veins were very incompetent. I had an ultrasound on my legs and that showed the incompetency. I have two small scars, one on my upper inner thigh, the other is lower than my knee. During the surgery they gave me just enough medication so that it didn't hurt; I was not completely out. My leg was wrapped in ace bandages and I had to walk an hour a day (not all at once) to reduce the risk of a blood clot. Was there pain? Yes, I was surprised at how sore I was. It went away eventually but I limped for awhile. Now my legs are so much better. I used to be in so much pain at the end of the day I could hardly stand, but except for a little numbness where the vein used to be, it's been a huge improvement. My one word of advice - make sure you completely understand how long you have to keep your bandages on. I was out of it after the surgery when the nurse was explaining. They ended up falling off after about a day. Some Dr.s say a week, others 3 days, my Dr. said a day was fine. I am having schelerotherapy in about 2 weeks and then I should be good to go. No sunlight on my legs for 8 weeks after that, though, and I will have to wear compression stockings again for about 6 weeks, but it will hopefully be worth it. Good luck to you. Let us know how it goes.

Wednesday, September 26, 2007, 10:25 PM

So how long was it before you could stand for an hour at a time (as I need to do for my work - I'm self-employed, so no paid sick days)? How long did the limping last? How long before you could walk or work out as much as you wanted to?

Wednesday, September 26, 2007, 11:20 PM

Hmmm, I hope I can remember all that! As for standing, I think that was fairly soon. The limping lasted a few days but the soreness lasted for quite a while. It was maybe a month before I really felt like running again, but walking was fine. Remember that you have to walk a total of at least an hour a day at first, so you are forced to get moving really soon. I had a friend with this same procedure and she bounced back very quickly. I don't know why I had such a hard time. I was only 5 lbs away from goal weight and it decent shape.

Thursday, September 27, 2007, 9:33 AM

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