Vein Stripping

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What is vein stripping? A common surgical procedure for the treatment of varicose veins is vein stripping, is known to remove veins that are causing problems. Vein stripping is not only limited to the treatment of varicose veins. It is also used to treat chronic venous disease or venous reflux. It involves removal or stripping of the vein using minimal incisions.

Vein Stripping Procedure

Your doctor will give you either general anesthesia or spinal anesthesia, depending on which one is the best for you. General anesthesia puts you to sleep during the procedure, whereas spinal anesthesia numbs the lower body, and you stay awake during the procedure. If you feel nervous about the spinal anesthesia, then the doctor might give you an anti-anxiety medication beforehand.

The doctor or surgeon will make several small incisions near the top and bottom of the damaged vein. The doctor will make one of the incisions on your groin and the other farther down your leg. The other incisions will be either on your calf or on your ankle. The surgeon will then insert a thin, flexible plastic wire through the groin incision. The surgeon will then tie the wire to the vein for its stripping. Then they will pull the wire through the incision in the leg, and as the wire pulls out the vein strips out of the body.

In the end, the surgeon will close the incisions with stitches and secure the stitches with bandages. The surgeon will also give you compression stockings to wear to apply pressure for normal blood flow and to avoid postoperative bleeding.

How To Prepare

vein-stripping-info-vascular-specialist-nyc-01Before you go for a vein stripping surgery, your doctor will take a medical examination. This will help your doctor to know exactly where the non-working or diseased valves are present. The doctor will take an ultrasound to view the veins. They might need to use a few ultrasound devices for a better and clearer image. Duplex scan is specially used to view the veins and measure the amount of blood flowing through them. The scans and ultrasound will help find any clots or thrombosis in the veins.

Tell your doctor about any medications or over-the-counter drugs you are taking. The doctor might tell you to stop taking them temporarily so that there is no risk of heavy bleeding during the procedure.

On the day of the surgery, make sure you have a friend or family member with you to drive you back home. General anesthesia will obviously make you drowsy, and you will not be able to drive.

Recovery

Usually, it takes two to four weeks of recovery time after the vein stripping surgery, but this also depends upon how many veins were stripped and how near or far they were located.

After vein stripping, there will be pain and discomfort. To deal with the pain, your doctor will prescribe medications. For the next three to four days, it is necessary that you let your body rest. Your doctor will also tell you to stay off your feet and avoid physical activities in the first four days. During this period, you have to make sure to elevate your legs when sitting. You can also prop your legs with pillows or cushions. Elevating your legs will help in maintaining the normal blood flow and in quick recovery. By the fourth week or after recovery can return to normal activities.

Risk of Vein Stripping

vein-stripping-info-vascular-specialist-nyc-02As with any surgical treatment, vein stripping can lead to some complications. There is a possibility of allergic reactions after surgery. Post-operative bleeding can take place afterward, so doctors use compressive pads over the area. If there is a serious problem regarding the clotting of blood, it might lead to deep vein thrombosis. Other risks include bruising or scarring, infection, and nerve injury.

It is important that you visit an expert, well-experienced, and highly skilled doctor for vein stripping. When you have a skilled and experienced surgeon performing vein stripping, you have to worry least about the risks of vein stripping. To avoid these complications, it is also necessary to tell your doctor of any medical history, some other disease, or medication.

Who Should Get Vein Stripping

If you have these symptoms, then vein stripping is the right treatment option for you:

  • Bleeding from veins
  • Skin ulcers and sores
  • Blood clots
  • Chronic pain and throbbing in the legs

If you have had treatment for varicose vein, but you are again facing vein insufficiency problem, then vein stripping is the surgical treatment you should go for.

Who is not Eligible for Vein Stripping

If you have any of the following conditions, then you are not eligible for vein stripping surgery.

  • Poor leg circulation
  • Skin infections
  • Overweight
  • Blood clotting issues
  • Pregnancy

Get Treatment Now

If you have serious varicose vein or other vein insufficiency problems like CVI, then call us today at 212-249-6117 to book a consultation and get quick treatment.

At The Vein Treatment Center ©, we have certified, well experienced, and highly skilled doctors who specialize in vein stripping. We ensure a smooth, comfortable  experience with minimal pain.


 

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