varicose veins operation

[bluecardi]

Have to have some veins removed & some tied in the length of both legs.

Anyone had this and how long for you to recover?

:(

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Hello lovely haven't had this done but hopefully some one will come along soon and put your mind at rest.

thanks dodgynoodles :)

I've had it done. It was a day case - in for 7.30, op at 11.45, home by 7.30. I was limping for a few days but able to walk out of hospital and into house easily.

I had to wear compression stockings for a couple of weeks but that was nothing new. What really held up my healing was I had an infection in one of the incision sites about 6 days post surgery but antibiotics cleared it up PDQ. Without the infection, a week off work would have been more than enough. As it was, ten days would have been fine. I don't work, so that was based on a low impact job...

What amazed me was the speed at which the scarring faded. Even after all the dressings were off things looked pretty good. Within a couple of months everything was faded to silver. Now (2 years later) the only time you can see anything is when I get a tan in the summer - about 12 small 2-3mm scars on the back of my calf which are barely visible. I'm sure no one else can see them at all!

Have you got a date yet?

thanks for your reply Buttonmoon - the infection must have been awful but happy to hear things are ok for you now.

My operation is for december It's a good time as my dh work will be closed on christmas(although he'll be on call)also difficult as our family isn't nearby & not spending xmas with us.

Five days after my op l'll have my children to look after once my dh is back at work (one is crawling, another needs help on the loo & going up& down the stairs, the others can keep themslves entertained).

Did you have a general anaesthetic? I might have to be at hospital by myself as my dh will be looking after our kids. We're trying to sort something out but with christmas everyone is busy with their families or away.

I had a general and was totally surprised at how normal I felt afterwards - I last had one about 15 years ago and felt like kak after. My sister is an anaesthetist and says they've come on a lot!

TBH the infection was not that bad really. It didn't make me feel unwell at all, it was just that it was a bit (more) swollen and red where it was.

I had my mum up for the first few days then once she went I was fine (my youngest was 18m at the time). You MUST walk a fair amount anyway so you should be fine, all being well.

I'm sure all will go smoothly and you'll feel fine afterwards.

Oh, forgot to say, there was also a 1.5" incision in my bikini line. This was the one which worried me most as I thought there'd be a huge scar. It is now totally invisible (and was by the following summer!)

thanks for your reassuring reply.
Must say though that I'm not looking forward to the compression tights afterwards. I just hate wearing them! I'll let you know what happens.

The compression stockings are the worst. you are not even allowed to take them off for a bath. I found this the hardest part. I had one stripped out about 5 years ago, under general anaesthetic. I went home the same day. I had very little pain afterwards.

You are not supposed to do anything much at first - can't remember how long for, and need to keep your leg above horizontal. So organise help with the children, house and anything else you normally have to do. No driving either.
Like Buttonmoon, I'm left with faint silver scars down my inside calf, and a 3 in incision in my groin. All pretty much invisible now.

Thanks for your reply butterbar. I'm dreading the stockings/tights as keeping them on for 10 days will be difficult. My doctor says I'll always have to wear compression tights during the day afterwards. I hope it will be stockings though as it's awful in the summer. They felt stuck to be legs.
My dh will be at home for a few days afterwards. I hope I can find someone to look after everyone when I have the op as it's looking like I'll be there on my own & with a ga I don't want to be by myself. Plus taxi there & back. Worried about the getting back part.

If you've had a general anaesthetic, they won't let you go home on your own - even in a taxi. I had to arrange for a friend to pick me up.

Good luck with the op.

didn't know that Butterbar - thanks for the information. Will have to find someone or dh can leave the bigger two with their friends for the evening & come to the hospital with everyone else.