At the office of Dr. Wendy E. Roberts in Rancho Mirage, CA, we hear a lot of people asking a lot of the same questions about sclerotherapy. Today, we’re answering some of the ones we hear the most frequently. If you’ve been wondering about the recovery period following chronic venous insufficiency treatments, you’re in the right place.
Answers to the Most Frequently Asked Questions About Sclerotherapy
How Fast Is the Sclerotherapy Recovery Period?
The sclerotherapy recovery period is over in the blink of an eye. Shortly after your treatment, you are free to stand up and walk around. In fact, this is encouraged because walking supports a strong circulatory system. If you can’t afford to take time off from work, feel free to schedule your appointment during your lunch break and return to work afterward.
Will There Be Any Restrictions to My Usual Routine?
You should avoid strenuous exercises for three to five days after treatment. Examples of strenuous activities include performing Olympic lifts with weights within 80% of your 1RM, high-intensity interval circuits, sprinting, indoor rowing, and swimming with wrist and ankle weights. You should also avoid any other activities that may elevate your blood pressure.
For example, if you’re a smoker, stop smoking for three to five days after your treatment session. You should also avoid alcohol, saunas, steam rooms, and steamy hot showers. If you have naturally high blood pressure, watch your intake of sodium, caffeine, and spicy foods.
Will I Have to Change Anything Else?
To speed up your results, we strongly encourage you to wear prescription-strength compression garments for roughly seven days after your treatment. If your legs are being treated, you will be given a prescription for compression stockings. If your arms are being treated, you will be given a prescription for compression sleeves.
Why Aren’t the Results Immediate?
The results of the treatment aren’t immediate because sclerotherapy does not involve the removal of the vein. Instead, the sclerosant is injected into the diseased vein, and the targeted vein collapses. Depending on the type of sclerosant used and the size of the treated vein, it can take up to six weeks for the veins to be absorbed by the local tissues.
Keep in mind that it is only the visible results of treatment that won’t be immediately apparent. As soon as the treatment is over, your diseased veins will have collapsed in on themselves. You will feel an immediate improvement in the physical symptoms, such as numbness, tingling, swelling, discomfort, pain, and itching.
Don’t I Need All My Veins?
No. You are experiencing the symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency because your diseased veins are not functioning correctly. For example, discolored skin, discolored veins, and uncomfortable or painful swelling are all caused by blood pooling because your veins are operating inefficiently. However, your blood will continue to “flow” through these veins until it can’t anymore.
In other words, you have to force your blood to take a more efficient route by destroying the existing route. Your physical symptoms are eased immediately after treatment because your diseased veins are no longer a viable route for your blood. As soon as your treatment is finished, your blood re-routes to stronger, healthier veins and no longer pools.
What Are the Risks Associated With Not Getting Treatment?
The risks associated with not getting treatment depend on several factors, including your medical history and family history, the cause of your disordered veins, and the type of disordered veins you have. If you have spider veins that are caused by pregnancy or obesity, you probably only risk discomfort and uneven skin tone.
Contrastingly, if you are at a healthy weight, have a healthy diet and exercise routine, and have varicose veins, you are at a much higher risk of developing severe medical conditions. The most prominent example is deep vein thrombosis, which can make long-distance travel uncomfortable and dangerous. Another example is a pulmonary embolism, a life-threatening condition.
How Long Will My Treatment Session Last?
The length of your treatment session will depend on the size of the diseased veins being treated, their distance from the surface of your skin, how many veins being treated during the session, and the size of the area being treated. On average, our sessions run between 15 and 30 minutes. However, an in-person evaluation is required to give you an accurate estimate.
How Should I Prepare for Treatment?
To prepare for your treatment session, you should be as healthy as possible. If you have high blood pressure, ask your primary care physician for a prescription to help you manage your blood pressure. If you lead a sedentary lifestyle, take regular walks in the two weeks leading up to your treatment. If you have an unhealthy diet, do your best to eat more whole foods.
Learn More About the Treatment of Chronic Venous Insufficiency Today
Don’t let the worry of a recovery period following sclerotherapy stop you from seeking chronic venous insufficiency treatment. When performed at the office of Dr. Wendy E. Roberts in Rancho Mirage, CA, treatment can be completed in 15 to 30 minutes. After that, you are free to return to work.
If you have any further questions about sclerotherapy treatment, we welcome the opportunity to answer them. If you’re wondering if this is the right chronic venous insufficiency treatment for you, contact us today at the office of Dr. Wendy E. Roberts in Rancho Mirage, CA to schedule your initial consultation. We look forward to meeting you.