Ambulatory Phlebectomy

When we have varicose veins, our legs just don’t look the way they used to. And they don’t feel like they used to either! With varicose veins, not only do your veins change color and bulge, they also can become painful, causing cramping and swelling in the legs. One of the best ways to treat varicose veins is with ambulatory phlebectomy, an outpatient procedure that successfully removes bad veins from your legs. At El Paso Varicose Veins Laser Clinic, we can help you with ambulatory phlebectomy procedures and more! Here’s what you can expect.

What is Ambulatory Phlebectomy?

First, the basics. Ambulatory phlebectomy removes varicose veins from your body via small incisions in your skin and works best for large, bulging veins that are close to the skin. Before starting the procedure, your doctor will give you a local anesthetic to numb the area. Then he or she will use a small scalpel to make an incision in your skin. Using a hook, the doctor will grasp the vein and remove it completely from your leg. Since the vein is removed completely, any symptoms you were experiencing due to varicose veins will be eliminated immediately.

The procedure doesn’t require any stitches and usually doesn’t leave any noticeable scarring. After the procedure, the doctor will either wrap it in a compression bandage or give you a compression stocking to wear. You can resume normal activities the same day as the procedure.

Side Effects and Recovery

As with most varicose vein treatments, the recovery for the procedure is minimal. While you may experience some achiness around the incision site, it is usually very brief. You’ll need to wear a compression stocking for a few weeks after and should avoid strenuous exercise. List of side effects you may experience include:

• Allergic reaction (to the local anesthetic used)
• Inflammation
• Nerve damage
• Infection