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I'm having vein surgery and I'm
Posted: Aug 2, 2014
I'm hoping someone on this board will have had, or know someone who has had, vein ablation therapy, also called EVLT and EVLA. It's done in the doctor's office under Versed twilight sedation and local numbing medicine in each incision on the leg. I have chronic venous insufficiency, which has, over the past year, taken a toll on my life. I have constant aching pain in both calves every waking moment. The pain even wakes me in up from sleep. Both ankles are swollen and red, and the skin extremely itchy and dry.
One of my friends had this procedure and said it was worse than childbirth! But she didn't have ANY sedation or anesthesia! Another friend has had it and says it wasn't that bad. The goal is to get my circulation moving correctly again instead of blood pooling in my ankles.
Tonight I've been looking at forums on the internet, and there are some terrifying stories about the recovery period. I know that I'll be wearing a thigh-high compression stocking on the leg for several weeks, and I'll need to get plenty of walking done every day, to prevent a blood clot. According to the doctor, most people have no complaints. Well, that's not what I'm reading online.
Can anyone out there ease my mind and give me some positive advice before I call and cancel the whole thing? Thanks for your input. 
Vein surgery- - sorry to see you are
[ In Reply To ..]distressed over your surgery. I have found most do not post on forums unless it is to complain about things. Most people want to describe the horrors of their experiences rather than the good, including surgery. You described constant pain which must be awful. Everyone is different, you may recuperate quickly if you follow your doctor's postop advice. Perhaps those complaining are not compliant patients. My thought would be constant pain versus postop pain. I hope you find the answer you want within yourself, and I wish you be best whichever you may choose.
Thank you - sm
[ In Reply To ..]I hadn't thought of it this way. You're right. Most people who post on forums are complaining and negative. I trust my doctor, as he has done thousands of this particular surgery. I guess he wouldn't be in business if his patients had such a bad recovery period. I'm going to go ahead with the surgery. You're right that I already have pain, and the goal of the surgery is to stop the pain. I appreciate your thoughts.
Good for you - Christine
[ In Reply To ..]I have posted on this board a few times about upcoming procedures, and people were so supportive. What I found is that it was much better than what I expected. I have a wonderful relationship with my physicians, and what they told me was always the case. I know, however, some recoveries can be more difficult. In any case, I wish you the very best. Do let us know how things go for you.
Scared to death - it's now 8/15/14 - how'd it go? - hope all is well. NM
[ In Reply To ..]x
How nice of you to ask! - sm
[ In Reply To ..]My goodness, you are so nice to check on me. :) It was easy-peasy. All that worrying for nothing. What a big baby I am. I did the same thing before my cataract surgeries. Got myself so worked up from reading horror stories on the internet that I almost cancelled 'em. LOL! I had just a little pain during the laser vein ablation, but the doctor shot a lot of Lidocaine into each incision the minute I said "ow." Even afterward there was very little pain, which ibuprofen took care of. I'm so glad I went ahead with it. My circulation will thank me. :)
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