So this may very well be my first post where I include way too much information. But here I go anyway. Yesterday and today I had two separate laser procedures done on the veins in my legs. Yesterday at noon was my right leg and today at noon was my left. Let's just call them what they are, varicose veins. Blame them on genetics (thanks mom and dad on this one!) or blame it on the fact that I stood for 8-9 hours everyday until I was 39 weeks and 3 days preggo with Owen, but alas, I had some nasty! ugly! unsightly! varicose veins. The technical term for the procedure is endovenous laser ablation. This is what I had done (stole this off of my vascular surgeons website):
This relatively new technique, along with the radiofrequency-closure procedure, has made varicose vein stripping obsolete, except in rare instances. The purpose of the procedure is to correct the underlying “leaky” refluxing saphenous vein that is causing the visible bulging varicose veins.Under sonographic visualization, a tiny laser fiber is passed up the vein through a small needle puncture, typically near the knee. The laser is activated and gradually retracted from the vein. This causes the vein to collapse, shrivel up and eventually dissolve. Patients experience very little discomfort. The procedure is performed in the office under local anesthesia, and patients can return to normal activities the following day.
So I am so so so sore right now. I am to wear ankle to thigh support stockings day and night for 3 days (taking them off only to shower) and then just daily for the following 7. No running for me for up to 10 days, we'll see. But right now, running would be impossible. I am sore and limping and wishing my mom was still here! I have prescriptions for 800 mgs of Ibuprofen and a 10 day supply of Darvocet for the pain. (I took 2 the first day, I am not so much into taking meds!) So ladies, thank your lucky stars that you yourself don't have varicose veins because they aren't pretty and getting rid of them hurts!
3 comments:
Oh girl, you're scaring me! I too have varicose veins (from genetics and pregnancy) and was thinking of having them taken care of after I'm sure I'm done having kids. I hope Chris is waiting on you hand and foot and that you feel better soon!
Oh gosh Keri I'm so sorry! Hope your pain is gone soon. Thanks for the details - its all very interesting.
Hope you are feeling better! I bet those support hose are SEXAY! ;o)
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