Microsoft word - pre-treatment instructions

CENTRAL VALLEY VASCULAR CENTER
The best possible outcomes will be achieved if you read and follow the instructions below. Please take a moment to review.
PRE-TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS:
PHLEBECTOMY
RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION
COMPRESSION is critical to the success of ablation. Immediately following your surgical procedure, a
compression dressing wil be applied to the leg treated. The compression dressing wil need to be worn
continuously for 48 hours. After 48 hours, the compression dressing may be removed and you may
shower at that time. Compression hose will then need to be worn for an additional 12 days (during the
day only and may be removed at night and to shower). We recommend prescription strength
compression hose (20-30 mmHg) be purchased prior to your surgical procedure.
LEG PREPARATION Do not apply oil, lotion or powder to your legs the night before or the day of your
surgical procedure. We do not recommend shaving your legs within 3 days of your treatment to avoid
any nicks/cuts that may increase your risk of infection.
CLOTHING Dress in loose clothes and comfortable shoes to accommodate the compression dressing
that will be applied following your procedure.
MEDICATIONS You will be receiving a local anesthetic and oral sedation during your procedure.
Please arrange for someone to drive you home. You may continue to take all of your current
medications. If you take any anti-inflammatory medications (i.e. Advil, Aleve, Ibuprofen) or blood thinners
(i.e. Aspirin, Coumadin, Plavix), you may experience slightly more bleeding or bruising. Please alert our
office/hospital staff if you are taking any of these medications. Please remember not to eat 8 hours
prior to the procedure. Clear liquids are allowed up to 8 hours before the procedure. Medications
may be taken with a small sip of water up to 4 hours prior to the procedure.
TIME ALLOTTMENT you wil be in the office/hospital for approximately 3 ½ - 4 hours. The actual
procedure itself usually takes only 1 – 1 ½ hours. You should arrive 2 hours early to allow time to check
in and sign consent forms. You should also allow an additional hour following your treatment for post-
operative monitoring, including time for you to get dressed and to check out of the office/hospital. If you
need to cancel or reschedule your ablation treatment, please give our office at least 72 hours notice.
PHOTOGRAPHS may be taken prior to your procedure to document progress and/or for the purpose of
medical education, research, scientific publication or educational presentations. You will not be identified
in these photographs.
CENTRAL VALLEY VASCULAR CENTER
The best possible outcomes will be achieved if you read and follow the instructions below. Please take a moment to review them.
POST-TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS:
PHLEBECTOMY
RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION
COMPRESSION Compression is critical to the success of ablation. Immediately following your surgical
procedure, a compression dressing will be applied to the leg treated. The compression dressing will need
to be worn continuously for 48 hours. You may have several areas on your dressing where blood has
soaked through. Some bleeding and oozing is normal - do not be alarmed. Call the office if the bleeding
continues and if the dressing becomes saturated. We will change the dressing as needed.
After 48 hours, the compression dressing may be removed and you may shower at that time. Thecompression dressing consists of Ace wraps followed by a layer of gauze. There will be steri-strip tapescovering the incision sites. Please do not remove them. The steri-strips will fall off on their own usuallywithin 1 week.
Prescription strength compression hose (20-30 mmHg) will then need to be worn for an additional 12 days(during the day only and may be removed at night and to shower).
BATHING A shower is allowed after the first 48 hours. Baths, hot tubs and swimming pools should be
avoided for two weeks after ablation to reduce your risk of infection. Extreme heat should also be avoided
to prevent venous dilatation.
HYPERPIGMENTATION Avoid sun exposure for six weeks after treatment. Excessive sun exposure
will increase your chances of developing hyperpigmentation (discoloration/darkening of the skin over the
veins treated). We recommend the use of sun block if sun exposure cannot be avoided. Spray tanning
should also be avoided and may cause discoloration at the incision sites.
TRAVEL You should have arranged for someone to drive you home after your procedure. If your trip
home is longer than an hour, we recommend you stop hourly to stretch your legs. We also recommend
no flying for at least 2 weeks following ablation.
ACTIVITY You may resume normal daily activities after treatment. However, most patients decide to
take 2-3 days off work in order to allow adequate recovery time. Walking is encouraged as it promotes
efficient venous circulation. Avoid sitting and standing for extended periods of time and elevate your
leg(s) above the level of your heart when possible to reduce any swelling or discomfort you may
experience. Avoid strenuous activities for 2 weeks following ablation (i.e. high impact aerobics, jogging,
running, weight lifting or sit-ups).
FOLLOW-UP You will be given a follow-up appointment 1 week following your treatment. At that time,
you will have a venous ultrasound evaluation to ensure that the ablated vein is sealed shut and to rule out
any evidence of deep venous thrombosis/blood clots. We will also examine your leg to ensure that you are
healing well.
Some bruising, swelling and mild discomfort can be expected following ablation. We will prescribe aprescription for pain medicine to be used as needed. As an alternative, you may take an over the counteranti-inflammatory medication (i.e. Advil, Aleve, Ibuprofen) to relieve any discomfort you may beexperiencing.
Remember, it is important to call our office if you have any questions or concerns. If you need to cancel orreschedule your follow up appointment, please give our office at least 48 hours notice.

Source: http://www.centralvalleyvascular.com/images/CentralValleyVascularCenter/Ablation_Instructions.pdf