Do you have gnarled, twisted, discolored veins that make you feel self-conscious? If so, you may have varicose veins and be considered a good candidate for sclerotherapy. At North Texas Vein & Vascular in Flower Mound, TX, we are proud to offer this non-invasive, highly effective treatment. Today, we are taking a closer look at sclerosant vein therapy, including how long the post-treatment recovery lasts.
How Long Is Recovery After Sclerotherapy?
There is no downtime required after sclerotherapy. You are free to return to work or engage in most leisure activities as soon as we discuss your aftercare guidelines with you. However, you should keep in mind that there are several post-treatment care instructions you must comply with. We will give you a complete list of instructions during your initial consultation if you qualify for treatment. Here is a brief overview of what is expected:
- Drink at least 64 ounces of water daily
- Walk regularly
- Avoid strenuous physical activity for one week
- Avoid excessive heat for one week
- Wear sunscreen diligently for one month
- Wear compression garments for two weeks
How Long Do the Results of This Highly Effective Treatment Last?
You can expect to enjoy the results of your sclerotherapy treatment for a very long time. As a matter of fact, the results of this treatment are considered permanent. This is because, during this treatment, the sclerosant injected into the disordered vein irritates it until it collapses.
Once the venous walls collapse, blood can no longer flow through the treated veins. Without blood flowing through the treated veins, they starve to death. Eventually, the dead veins are absorbed by surrounding healthy tissues. The dead veins never grow back, but it is possible for veins that are currently healthy to become varicose after the treatment.
How Can I Prevent Varicose Veins From Developing in the Future?
To enjoy the longest-lasting sclerotherapy results, your number one priority should be taking steps to prevent the future formation of varicose veins. The bottom line is you have to make lifestyle choices that are conducive to healthy veins.
If you have a family history of varicose veins, your risk of developing varicose veins in the future is greater. While there’s nothing you can do to change your genes, you can ensure your lifestyle choices are healthy. Here are some things you can do to ensure your veins are as healthy as possible.
Manage Your Weight
If you are overweight or obese, you are more likely to develop varicose veins. This is because the more you weigh, the more pressure is placed on the walls of your veins. Therefore, managing your weight is a great way to reduce your risk of developing varicose veins in the future. If you are currently at a healthy weight, weigh yourself every once in a while to ensure you are not getting too far off track.
You may find it helpful to make a note of a healthy weight range for you based on your height. Specifically, your BMI should be between 18.5 and 24.9. If you have a BMI of 25 or greater, you are at greater risk of developing varicose veins in the future. Everyone approaches weight management differently, but you may benefit from taking a closer look at your diet and exercise routine if you gain more than five pounds or are gaining weight consistently.
Walk Regularly
Walking regularly is another great way to reduce your chance of veins becoming varicose in the future. Walking, regardless of intensity, is a great way to support your cardiovascular system. The stronger your cardiovascular system is, the less likely you are to start having trouble sending blood back up to your heart from your lower extremities.
As a good general rule of thumb, you should get at least 2.5 hours of moderate cardiovascular activity weekly if you are trying to maintain your weight. If you are trying to lose weight, you should double the time you spend getting in moderate exercise or squeeze 2.5 hours of intense cardiovascular exercise into your life.
Am I a Good Candidate for This Treatment?
To determine whether you are a good candidate for this treatment, you need to come in for an initial consultation. We will discuss all of your vein-related concerns and evaluate your trouble regions to determine whether sclerosant vein therapy will be an effective treatment method for your unique concerns. Then, we will discuss your medical history and current health to ensure you are healthy enough to safely receive this treatment. Here’s a closer look:
You Don’t Have a Serious Underlying Medical Condition
While more people are candidates for this treatment than invasive vein removal, there are still medical conditions that will preclude you from this treatment. For example, you should not consider this treatment if you have a history of blood clotting. If your medical history reveals that you are in a high-risk category of blood clot development, you may need further physical examinations to ensure that this is the treatment you should consider.
You Are Fairly Mobile
Walking regularly is one of the most important things for you to do after your treatment. If you’re not physically capable of walking, now is not the right time for you to consider this treatment. If you can’t walk very far, let us know during your initial consultation. We will evaluate whether you should consider treatment at this time.
You Have Veins That Look Disfigured
Another sign that you may be a good fit for this treatment is the ability to see that there is something wrong with your veins. Regardless of whether you have spider veins or varicose veins, if you can tell that your veins are twisted, you will probably qualify for this treatment.
You Aren’t Pregnant
While nearly everyone is a good candidate for this venous insufficiency treatment, you should not consider this treatment while you are pregnant. Furthermore, you should not consider this treatment if you are nursing or have been pregnant within the past three months. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have been pregnant within the past three months, you can still schedule an evaluation, and we will identify a suitable course of action.
You Can Comply With Pre-Treatment Instructions
Even though this treatment isn’t invasive, complying with all pre-treatment instructions is still important. Compliance will ensure that you get the best possible results. During your initial consultation, we will provide you with a complete list of what you should do and avoid in the weeks leading up to your treatment.
For example, you must avoid exposing the targeted area to UV rays in the four weeks leading up to your treatment. This means you must wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen and avoid the use of tanning beds. In the two weeks leading up to your treatment, you should also avoid consuming alcohol and tobacco products.
How to Prepare in the 24 Hours Before Treatment
The day before your treatment, try to drink a gallon of water to ensure you’re hydrated adequately. At the very least, you should drink half a gallon of water in the 24 hours leading up to your treatment. Eat a well-balanced dinner including a large portion of vibrant veggies and plenty of lean protein.
You should be as well-rested as possible on the day of your treatment, so you should go to bed early. If your appointment is scheduled early in the morning, make sure you have loose, comfy clothing to wear to your appointment before you go to bed. Drink at least 16 ounces of water before your treatment, eat a healthy breakfast, and don’t apply moisturizer or other cosmetics to the treatment area.
Enjoy a Rapid Recovery After Sclerosant Vein Therapy
There is no downtime required after sclerotherapy, and you will only have to wear a compression garment for two weeks. What more could you ask for than a reliable, effective treatment that requires no downtime? How about a reliable, effective treatment with no downtime and permanent results? That’s what you can expect from sclerosant vein therapy.
You don’t have to spend the rest of your life feeling self-conscious about visible disordered veins. Sclerotherapy can quickly eliminate your disordered veins, and they will never grow back. However, you may have to take preventative steps to mitigate the risk of other veins becoming disordered. To learn more about this treatment, contact us today at North Texas Vein & Vascular in Flower Mound, TX to schedule your initial consultation.
