Varicose vein surgery

[blackhillsbiker]

I had it about 20 years ago. Mainly it just made lots of scars and didn't help. Luckily the doctor didn't do anything with the main veins in my legs. Things have come a long way since then! I'm having laser vein surgery this Thursday and the following Tuesday. If all goes as planned, I can go without the thigh high stockings (30-40mmHg) I've been wearing for years. I'm excited, but also a bit nervous. I have to stay completely off the bikes for 2 weeks after the last surgery, and off the mountain bike and distance riding (hills, etc.) for 6 weeks. That might just be the hardest part. I use the biking to manage stress in a big way. I didn't do it in the winter because the biking helped me manage SAD. Wish me luck.

Deb

[e.e.cummings]

Good luck! I was looking at my legs today and starting to wonder if I need to take a move in that direction. Please give a report of how it goes. Does the doctor have any activities to recommend to cope with stress - can you do yoga, something more gentle?

[blackhillsbiker]

Thanks. Tomorrow morning. I've been dealing with this since my late teens. This is the first time I've allowed myself to have hope. The cycling does help — the more fit I am, the better off my legs are, but the venous insufficiency is still there.

Deb

[redrhodie]

Good luck! I hope it's quick and painless, and you look like Cyd Charisse when you're done.

[katherine]

Good luck! I hate the veins in my thighs and they got really bad after I had my kids. Good for you for having the strength and courage to do something about it. Keep us posted, hope you have a quick recovery!

[blackhillsbiker]

So far, so good. A little sore, but nothing compared to the old-school surgery I had 20 years ago! (And no big incisions closed with staples!) Yesterday morning I stood in the shower (first real shower since surgery #1) and it was the first time in more than 20 years that both my feet were the same color!

Deb

I do miss the bikes, though. I wish they wouldn't whimper when I go in the garage.

[badger]

did you have bulging veins? I'm just wondering if laser works for things bigger than spider veins.

I've inherited my father's weak veins, and started developing vericose veins around my right knee when I was 18. 21 years later those veins are much more pronounced and worm-y now, and I asked for a referral to a veinologist but my doctor never followed up. She said it won't be laser but an injection of some solution that would "shrivel up" the veins. She did say it will discolour my legs for a while so not to do it during summer.

[blackhillsbiker]

Mine was the great saphenous vein – the big one that runs down your entire leg. It should be about the width of a slim pencil. Mine was the width of a large man's thumb. That's the one they used the laser on. I have spider veins, but those are considered cosmetic and insurance doesn't cover work done on them. I've had this condition for so many years that cosmetic issues don't really even matter anymore. I'll be happy not to have a purple foot! The smaller varicosed veins were removed via tiny punctures. If anything remains, they might inject them with the saline solution to close them.

[badger]

well, that's good to know. The doctor did warn me that mine would be considered "cosmetic" and therefore I'll have to pay for the procedure. But it's getting to the point where it throbs and gets very HOT to the touch during the summer. I'll see if I can follow it up with my doctor again.

[blackhillsbiker]

Had an ultrasound yesterday and things look good. I have another one July 8. I'm hoping to be cleared then to get back on the bikes. Maybe not push myself like I had been doing, but at least some gentle riding to get back into it. I can't believe how much I miss riding! I thought I'd miss it, but I'm going nuts! The stress at work really gets to me when I don't have a ride to look forward to!

Deb