Post-Varicose Vein Surgery Wound Care

Varicose vein surgery can be a serious procedure that requires careful wound care. While the surgery may not take long, it can take a few days or weeks for a patient to fully heal. During this period of time, it’s vital that a patient take good care of their wounds and change their daily activities to help avoid complications.

In this article, we’ll discuss varicose veins, surgical treatments, and proper wound care.

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins form when valves in the veins become damaged and stop functioning well. The valves inside the veins are tasked with pushing blood toward the heart and to avoid the collection of blood in any specific place. If the valves break down, the veins can become filled with blood when a person moves around or stands up.

As people age, they become more prone to varicose veins. Most commonly, these problems develop in the legs. If left untreated, varicose veins can lead to slow blood flow and weakness in the limbs. With the right treatments, varicose veins can be repaired.

What is the best treatment for varicose veins?

Varicose veins in the legs can be helped through a process called vein stripping. During this procedure, a large vein called the superficial saphenous vein is removed or tied off. This helps control the blood flow through the other veins, resolving the problems that come with varicose veins.

Vein stripping procedures are relatively fast, taking about 90 minutes to perform. Common risks involved with vein stripping include nerve injuries, bruising of the legs, or the return of varicose veins years after surgery.

Varicose vein surgery procedure

Varicose vein surgery is a fairly quick process. The surgeon will make 2 or 3 cuts to the legs near the top, middle, and lower parts of the damaged vein. The surgeon will put a thin wire into the vein that fits the vein from the top cut to the low cut. The wire will be tied to the vein and removed at the bottom cut, removing the damaged vein. The cuts will be sealed and other damaged veins will be handled similarly if needed.

Post-surgery care

Taking care of the wounds after surgery will help promote fast healing. Here are a few suggestions that can help in the days and weeks after surgery:

Wear compression stockings to help promote blood flow
Stretch lightly to help the body slowly adjust back to normal
Avoid very hot showers as excessive heat can slow the healing process
Avoid flying as the change in pressure can stress out the veins
Don’t visit a sauna for the first few days after surgery as the heat can cause issues

With a few basic changes to everyday activities, patients can expect their wounds to heal fairly quickly and they can soon return to their normal activities.

Wound care after varicose vein surgery

Taking care of the wounds associated with varicose vein surgery can greatly reduce the chances of complications or the need to have the surgery performed again. Be sure to consider the following recommendations for post-surgery wound care:

Change bandages every few days – After surgery, patients will have bandages applied to the surgically repaired area, likely their legs. These bandages can usually be replaced every other day. Using Hy-Tape can ensure a tight hold for new bandages.
Cover the bandage during bathing – Be sure to carefully cover the bandage during showers and do not bathe for the first few days after surgery. Wrapping a waterproof bag over the bandage and securing it with Hy-Tape can provide a waterproof seal.
Do not apply unnecessary pressure – After surgery, patients should be careful not to strain themselves much. Light walking and basic stretching can be helpful, but strenuous activities should be avoided for the first few days and weeks after varicose vein surgery.
Do not expose veins to much heat – Hot water, steam, and other sources of heat can cause issues with veins after surgery. Stay away from lengthy, hot showers, saunas, steam rooms, and any direct heat, even if the bandages are properly adhered.
Do not fly after surgery – Pressure changes can negatively affect the veins in the body. Major pressure changes occur during flights, so flying is highly risky after a vein-related surgery.

Benefits of using Hy-Tape for bandaging

When applying and replacing bandages, it’s vital to use high-grade medical tape to secure the bandages. Hy-Tape provides a range of benefits for those who need to bandage their legs after varicose vein surgery.

Hy-Tape is waterproof, making it a great option for securing medical bandages. The tape is made of a thin and conforming material that keeps liquids away from the bandage and helps ensure that no leakage occurs.

Hy-Tape is flexible, making it easy for patients to move around and stay flexible. The tape doesn’t pinch or cut into the skin during movement, so patients can easily stretch and keep blood flowing well.

Hy-Tape is sensitive to skin, making it easy to peel away and replace when needed. The zinc oxide in the tape helps protect the skin so patients are less likely to suffer skin damage.

To make post-surgery care easier, Hy-Tape offers many benefits. Contact us today to learn more about how Hy-Tape can be helpful for patients after varicose vein surgery.

If you would like to learn more about how Hy-Tape is beneficial for those with sensitive skin and require wound dressings click on some of the links below:

Post-Varicose Vein Surgery Wound Care