Post Operative Instructions for Patients treated by Mr Braithwaite

RFA (VNUS) Varicose Vein Surgery

What happens after the operation?

After your varicose vein surgery you will wake up with bandages on your leg(s). These will be removed the day after your operation. If you have go home on the day of operation then the nurses on the ward will arrange for the district nurses to visit you. When the bandages have been removed, you can have a shower. The nurses will give you full length stockings to wear. Please wear them night and day for a whole week and then during the day for a second week.

What are the stockings for?

After your operation, you will get bruising where the veins have been removed. Most people find that the stockings help reduce any discomfort in your legs. If you find that the stockings are uncomfortable or that they keep slipping down then it is not essential for you to wear them.

What will I be given to take home?

You will be given     

1.    Some painkillers and instructions on how to take them.

2.    A letter to give to your GP that summarises what you have had done.

What should I do when I get home?

You can do any of the things that you normally do as long as your legs are comfortable. It is not necessary to walk several miles a day but you should not go to be bed as if you were ill. Complete rest can increase the risk of a deep vein thrombosis. Be up and around the house and walk in your garden or the street near your home for the first few days. Gradually increase the amount of exercise you take.

Can I have a bath or shower?

You should treat your wounds carefully, as you would any cut. You can have a shower the day after the operation if you wish. 

When can I go back to work?

You can go back to work or return to normal activities as soon as you feel comfortable. The advantage of VNUS is the rapid recovery compared with traditional surgery. Many people return to normal activities within a day or 2.

When can I drive again?

It is important that you are safe when driving. Do not drive for 48 hours after your operation or whilst you are on any strong pain-killers. You can drive when you can do an emergency stop. It may be best to sit in the car for a while before driving so that you can check that you will be safe and comfortable.

Do I need any stitches removing?

No. Mr Braithwaite uses a stitch that dissolves after a few days or weeks.

What do I do if I am worried about my leg(s)?

Please see you GP in the first instance or ring the ward from which you were discharged. You may get some tender lumps on your legs where the veins were removed. This is normal and the lumps will settle.

Will I have a check up?

Yes. Mr Braithwaite would like to see you about 6 weeks after your operation. The nurse on the ward will contact Mr Braithwaite's secretary to arrange an appointment.

What happens at the check-up?

At the follow up appointment, Mr Baithwaite or one of his team will ask questions about how you have recovered. You should then have your wounds and legs checked as part of Mr Braithwaite's quality control process.