Whether you have mild varicose veins or severe varicose veins, this vein condition can make many people feel self-conscious about the appearance of their legs. Even though varicose veins are not usually linked to issues with your cardiovascular health, this vein condition can still affect your self-confidence. Learn more about treatments for varicose veins, such as radiofrequency ablation at North Texas Vein and Vascular in Flower Mound, TX
How Long Does It Take for Radiofrequency Ablation to Work?
The results of radiofrequency ablation can typically develop in 10 to 14 days. The speed of your results may be influenced by the severity of your varicose veins, how many veins are being treated, and how well your body responds to the radiofrequency energy. For example, those who have mild to moderate varicose veins will usually see results in about 10 days, while those who have multiple varicose veins may need longer than 14 days to see results.
What Is the Treatment Process Like?
RF ablation is a minimally invasive treatment that can significantly improve the appearance of varicose veins, especially varicose veins in the lower legs. This treatment works by making a small incision in the affected vein and inserting a special catheter that will deliver radiofrequency energy directly to the varicose vein.
Radiofrequency is a unique treatment method that generates a small amount of thermal energy, which will then gently heat the vein wall. When the vein wall is exposed to enough radiofrequency energy, it will cause scarring that will prompt the vein to shut down entirely. When this happens, the damaged vein will be absorbed by the body, and your blood flow will be directed to nearby healthy veins.
When Is This Treatment Used?
This minimally invasive treatment is typically used when other methods to correct the appearance of varicose veins fail. For example, if prescription-strength compression stockings do not improve the symptoms of varicose veins, this treatment may be an ideal solution. The symptoms of varicose veins can include pain and aches in the legs, which can be very disturbing at night.
What Should You Do Before Your Treatment?
Before your treatment, you may be instructed to stop using any blood-thinning medications or supplements you are taking. Your primary care physician will inform you of whether you can temporarily stop using your medications and supplements for a week. By discontinuing these medications, you will vastly improve the outlook of your varicose vein treatment.
What Should You Do After Your Treatment?
You will need to follow only a few aftercare instructions to ensure your results develop as desired. For example, you may want to take one or two days off work to take it easy during the initial recovery phase, particularly if you have a high-activity occupation since you will need to follow some advice on restricted activities. Other instructions to follow may include:
Compression Stockings
You will be instructed to wear compression stockings for at least one week after your radiofrequency ablation treatment. Compression stockings will encourage healthy blood flow in the legs so that your blood flow can be transferred to healthier veins in the legs. Compression stockings will also reduce swelling in the legs.
Along with compression stockings, it’s also generally recommended to elevate your legs when you are lying down. Slight elevation by placing one or two pillows beneath the legs and raising the ankles above the level of your heart will encourage faster healing.
Activity Limitations
Your activities will be limited during the first few days after your treatment so that you can avoid anything strenuous. This can include high-intensity cardiovascular exercise, lifting anything heavy, or standing on your feet for too long.
However, although your activities will be restricted for a few days, it is still a good idea to engage in light activities, such as walking, Tai Chi, or yoga. This is because it’s best to encourage healthy blood flow during your recovery. You should walk around for at least 10 to 15 minutes every two hours for the healthiest blood flow during your recovery.
How Long Is Your Recovery Time?
Your recovery time will usually be three to five days, after which you can return to work and resume all of your normal daily activities, including strenuous exercise. The fact that the recovery time for this treatment is so short is one of the major benefits of this varicose vein treatment.
Will You Need Multiple Treatments?
Most likely, you will need at least one to three treatments to see optimal results. The severity of your varicose vein, the size of the vein, the location of the vein, and the number of varicose veins you want to treat will all influence how many treatments you will need for ideal results.
For example, very large varicose veins may need to be treated at least twice for best results. Additional treatments are usually scheduled four to six weeks after your first appointment. That said, some patients who are treating mild to moderate varicose veins may be able to see optimal results after a single treatment, particularly if you only need to treat one or two veins.
Are Your Results Permanent?
The results of radiofrequency ablation are intended to be permanent. This is because veins that are treated with radiofrequency energy will be unable to host blood flow in the future, which means that a particular vein can never become a varicose vein again.
However, you may develop new varicose veins in the future, particularly if you do nothing to reduce the risk of varicose veins, spider veins, and other cosmetic concerns. Some things you can do to prevent varicose veins in the future include:
Get Regular Exercise
Regular exercise is important not only for maintaining a healthy body weight but also for protecting your cardiovascular health. People who exercise regularly typically have lower blood pressure, which means that less stress is placed on the veins in the body. When veins are less stressed by elevated blood pressure, vein walls are more likely to stay healthier for longer.
Ideally, regular exercise for an adult should be at least three hours a week to maintain good health. Alternating between low-intensity and high-intensity exercise may be one of the most beneficial ways to improve your cardiovascular health, reduce blood pressure, and improve your overall health.
Alternate Standing and Sitting
Lifestyle factors such as sitting and standing can also have a great impact on the appearance of your veins. For example, standing on your feet for too long and sitting down for too long can both contribute to developing varicose veins in the future. This is why it’s a good idea to alternate between sitting and standing throughout the day, even if you are at work.
Manage Weight
Managing a healthy weight can also have a tremendous influence on potential varicose veins. People who are overweight are more likely to develop cosmetic vascular concerns, so by staying within the healthy range of your BMI and adopting other healthy lifestyle practices, you will likely be able to reduce the risk of developing spider veins or varicose veins.
Talk With Your Doctor
Finally, you may also want to talk to your doctor about other things you can do to prevent varicose veins in the future. For example, if you have trouble controlling your weight due to medications such as birth control, you may want to speak with your doctor about alternate medications. Sometimes, those who gain weight on one birth control medication will not gain weight by taking another birth control medication with different active ingredients.
Are You a Good Candidate?
Good candidates for this treatment include any adults who are self-conscious about the appearance of varicose veins. If you are embarrassed by your veins or if your varicose veins are causing any type of discomfort, you may be ideal for this treatment. This treatment is not an ideal option for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Erase Varicose Veins Today
Varicose veins can be a cause for self-consciousness and may prevent you from wearing certain clothing that shows off your legs. Fortunately, cosmetic treatments such as radiofrequency ablation can dramatically improve the appearance of varicose veins. The treatment can produce results in about two weeks and results can be permanent. If you think radiofrequency ablation is an ideal treatment for your varicose veins, get in touch with North Texas Vein and Vascular in Flower Mound, TX to schedule an appointment today.
