What to Expect from EVLT and RF Ablation
Before the Procedure: The night before:
- Shower
- Shave operative leg from the ankle to 3 finger widths into the pubic hair.
- Do not use lotions on the leg.
- Take one Xanax (Alprazolam) 1 mg tablet 1 hour prior to your arrival time.
- You will need a ride to and from the office on the day of your procedure due to the sedative effect of the Xanax.
- A pair of 20-30 mmHg thigh high compression hose will be given to you to wear after the procedure.
- You may have a light meal before your procedure.
- Continue to take all routine medications.
Vein ablation is a system that uses heat to close off the affected vein. After a local anesthetic is injected into your leg, a laser fiber is inserted into the vein under ultrasound guidance and advanced to the end of the vein. Additional local anesthetic is then injected surrounding the area of the vein to be treated. Once the anesthetic is placed, the adequate position of the laser demonstrated by ultrasound, the laser is turned on, pulled back through the vein, and removed. Following the procedure, a small Band-Aid is placed on the site, and a compression stocking is placed on your leg.
After the Procedure:
Instructions:
- Wear the compression hose continuously for 3 days, then during all waking hours for 3 weeks.
- Elevate the treated leg whenever seated.
- Walk every hour for a few minutes. Also add a 20-30 minute walk daily if able.
- Micro Ambulatory Phlebectomies (MAPS): If this procedure was performed on your leg, you can remove the Coban (disposable ace wrap) in 24-36 hours. Leave the support hose on continuously for the 3 day period then for 3 weeks during waking hours.
- Band-Aids, Tape, and Gauze: Remove the tape and gauze after 3 days, when you first remove the support hose. Leave the small brown tape bandages (steri-strips) on until they fall off on their own.
- Pain: Patients may experience mild to moderate pain following the procedure. The leg may be tender to the touch after treatment; it is normal to experience some tenderness or bruising in the areas where local anesthesia was administered. This pain is usually well controlled by Ibuprofen or Tylenol.
- Transient bruising: Following the procedure, many patients notice some mild bruising or discoloration after treatment. This discoloration is almost always transient and will resolve in about three months. In rare cases, this darkening of the skin may persist up to a year.
- Leg/Ankle Swelling: This may occur after treating veins in the leg. It usually resolves in a few days but may last a few weeks, especially after treatment of large varicose veins. Wearing the prescribed compression hose and elevation will help lessen the swelling.
- You may experience a "pulling" or "tight" sensation 5-7 days after the procedure. This is the effect of the treated area healing.
- Discoloration of the skin along the treated veins. This may last several months.
- Superficial thrombophlebitis: This is a blood clot in a superficial vein. You may feel a small lump under the skin that can be painful.
- Ibuprofen: 600-800 mg; every 6-8 hours or as needed for pain, take with food
- Tylenol (Acetaminophen): 650 mg; every 4 hours or as needed for pain
- Arnica gel: Apply topical gel to treated area twice daily, as needed for bruising or pain.
- Support Hose: You need to wear the support hose continuously for 3 days after the procedure. Take sponge baths only. The support hose needs to be worn for 3 weeks after the day of the procedure, but only during waking hours. You can sleep and shower without the support hose only after the first 3 days.
- Driving: You need someone to drive you to and from the office on the day of the procedure. Drive as tolerated after the first day.
- Activities: You should be walking hourly. Lying down is preferable to sitting when possible.
- Bathing: Sponge baths only for the first 3 days. The support hose can be removed during showers after 3 days have passed following the procedure.
- Work: You may return to work once you feel able to.
- Sports/Exercise: 1 week from the day of the procedure.
- Sexual Activity: Whenever comfortable.
- Heavy Lifting Restrictions: No heavy lifting or straining for 1 week after the day of the procedure.
- Diet: Resume normal diet with an emphasis on drinking lots of fluids such as water and juices.
- Flying: Allowed, but be sure to walk hourly and elevate as much as possible during the flight.
If you have any questions or concerns, we are available by phone at , weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
If you have an emergency problem after hours, please contact our afterhours call center at (408)918-0405 or seek care at an urgent care center or emergency room.