AFTER SURGERY
Post-Surgical Follow-Up Appointments
Within one business day after the procedure, call the North Valley Surgical office to
arrange for an ultrasound. This should be done within 3-5 days of the surgery. Return to
the office for a wound check and leg exam 2 weeks following the procedure. Call the office
at any time during regular business hours for questions, and remember, we are available 24
hours a day for emergencies.
Wounds
Leave the ace wrap and dressings on for 48 hours. If the wrap has stayed clean, dry and
you can tolerate it, leave it on for a total of 72 hours. Then take off the ace wrap and
remove the band aids, leaving only the little white tapes (steri-strips/butterflies) on
the skin. If the steri-strips cause blistering of the skin, then remove them too. At this
point it is okay to shower. Soap and water will not harm the wounds or the steri-strips.
Once the strips get wet, they will usually fall off in about 1 week.
Activity
The day of surgery it is okay to be up walking around the house, so long as the ace wrap
is on. This helps to maintain blood flow in the normal deep veins and prevents blood
clots. If you are up too much, then you will be sore and the bruising will be worse. A
happy medium is to be up to the bathroom and to the kitchen every couple of hours, then
back to bed with the operative leg elevated on a pillow or two. With each consecutive day,
activity should gradually be increased back to normal within a week after surgery. Do
not engage in heavy physical activity such as weight-lifting or high-impact aerobics for
at least 2 weeks. Most patients are back to work within 3 days,
depending on their occupation.
Compression
Compression is critical both in the short term (during recovery) in the form of
ace-wrapping and in the long term (in the form of properly fit, "gradient
compression" stockings.) While recovering after surgery, compression helps
to minimize swelling and bruising. This hastens recovery and reduces pain. The long term
benefits of wearing compression stockings, when worn as often as practical taking into
account comfort, heat, and style considerations, is that they reduce leg swelling and
fatigue. They also slow the growth of new veins into varicosities and help minimize the
extension of spider veins. Stockings usually only need to be knee high. They come in black
and beige as well as other sheer colors, and are also available in open toe so they can be
worn with sandals. Colored panty hose or socks can also be worn over them. More
exotic styles, including stockings with lacy stretch tops are also available by special
order.
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