Phlebectomy
Common Questions
Does it hurt?
Most patients say that the procedure does not hurt at all. You will feel the pin prick of the needle as we inject the anesthetic, but then the area is instantly numb. You will not feel any of the micro-incisions. You will not feel pain from the leg vein removal. We will give you some prescription-strength ibuprofen to help you for the first day or two, but the vast majority of patients require only over-the-counter ibuprofen to keep them comfortable. Rarely will patients require a stronger pain-reliever after the procedure, which is why these varicose vein treatments can be done in our office, rather than in the hospital.
Will there be scarring?
You’ll be pleased to know that the incisions are so tiny that scarring can’t be seen. Most patients can barely see their incisions four to six weeks after the surgery. Compared to the “railroad tracks” associated with traditional leg vein removal, the scars from the varicose vein treatment are practically non-existent.
How much down time or recovery time is needed?
The recovery time for this leg vein removal procedure is negligible. You will need to take it easy for the first 48 hours, but walking is encouraged to promote healing — you will walk out of the office! After the first two days, normal activities can be resumed. Only strenuous exercise is discouraged for the first week to ten days, as are swimming and going into hot tubs. After that, it is business as usual!
A phlebectomy is a procedure which allows for the removal of varicose veins at the surface of the skin.
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Ambulatory phlebectomy should not be confused with the stripping of large veins, done decades ago, in an operating room under general anesthesia. Ambulatory phlebectomy is a procedure that allows for the removal of varicose veins at the surface of the skin. It is usually performed in conjunction with laser ablation. Small incisions are made next to the vein and sections of the vein are removed through these nicks. Like the thermal ablation procedure, patients are given local anesthesia and conscious sedation.
Immediately after the procedure, a leg wrap is placed on the treated leg and the patient is up and walking that same day. Normal activity is resumed within 24 hours. The compression hose is worn for several days following the procedure to minimize possible swelling and to allow proper healing.
We offer our patients convenience and quality assurance by performing ambulatory phlebectomy procedures onsite in our fully functional operating room, comparable to those in hospitals.