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What Can I Do To Prepare For My Vein Procedure?
When our patients schedule a vein surgery to treat their vein condition, we make sure they’re prepared by offering a comprehensive guide to be used before and after their procedure.
If you’re preparing for your vein procedure with our specialists at Albert Vein Institute, follow these instructions to help you understand better how to maximize your recovery.
Guidelines for Eating and Drinking Before Your Procedure
Please have no solid food after midnight if your procedure is scheduled before noon the next day. If your procedure is scheduled after noon, it's okay to have a small meal before 7 am.
Taking Medication Before Your Procedure
You should drink plenty of clear fluids (such as water or juice) the morning of your procedure. Unless instructed otherwise, please take 600mg of Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) the night before your procedure with your dinner. Also, you should take your usual medications on the morning of your procedure with water.
Please make Dr. Albert and our staff aware if you are on any blood-thinning medications such as:
- Lovenox
- Xarelto
- Coumadin/Warfarin
- Aspirin
- Plavix
If you are on Coumadin, have your INR checked 1-3 days before the procedure (to measure how much time it takes for a patient's blood to clot.) Bring these results with you to your procedure.
You should bring a list of your medications with you when you come to Albert Vein Institute for your appointment, as well as any allergies you have. If you have any questions about your medication, please ask our team beforehand so we can properly guide you.
What to Wear for Your Procedure
You should wear loose-fitting clothing on the morning of your procedure (please do not wear turtlenecks or long sleeves). Your leg will be wrapped in sterile dressings and ace bandages, which will be somewhat bulky to wear under your clothes.
What to Expect During Your Procedure
The procedure will be performed in the Albert Vein Institute procedure rooms on-site. You’ll have monitors attached to record your blood pressure, pulse rate, and oxygen levels. The room lights will be dimmed intermittently in order to see necessary ultrasound images clearly.
The Albert Vein Institute medical staff will be with you at all times during and after your procedure.
For most of the ablation procedures, a surgical incision is not required. Typically, only small punctures are made to place the ablation catheter and to remove varicose veins. Most ablation procedures are also accompanied by either micro-phlebectomy, sclerotherapy, or both to remove the varicose veins or other visible veins in the leg.
Following Your Procedure
You will receive some medication during the procedure, so you should bring someone with you to drive you home and assure your safety. Diluted local anesthesia will be used along the course of your affected vein. Your sedation will be adjusted to minimize your awareness during this time.
A prescription for pain medication will be given following your procedure. However, if not contraindicated, you should also take 600mg of Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) every 8 hours for at least 24-48 hours after the procedure.
Returning to Normal Activities
You may resume most normal activities within three to four days without harming yourself or your leg circulation. Please do not fly until after your one-week follow-up has been performed. If you do this, it could increase your chances of having a life-threatening complication.
If for any reason you feel you need to see your family physician or go to the hospital emergency room, we ask that you please call our office first. Dr. Albert and his staff can take care of any problem or concern you may have in a much quicker manner, and you may never need to leave the comfort of your home.
Contact Our Colorado Springs and Lone Tree Vein Specialist Today
If you have any questions or concerns regarding how you can prepare for your vein procedure, please do not hesitate to contact our office during regular working hours. If you need us after hours, please call the office at (303) 857-5111 to get the On-Call Provider’s number.