Instructions Before Appointment for Sclerotherapy

One week before your procedure:

• STOP ALL Plavix, Aspirin or NSAID(Ibuprofen, Motrin Alleve, Naproxyn) products 1 week before your procedure.
• Any questions or concerns please ask our staff.

The day of your surgery you should:

• Walk for 20 minutes after your procedure
• Not do any extraneous exercised for the next 7 days
• Heavy lifting or bending
• High impact aerobics, swimming
• Riding bicycles, sitting for long periods of time
• Wear you support stocking for the next 3 weeks
• Not shower for 48 hours

Do not take Aspirin or other blood thinning drugs (eg. Vitamin E, Gingko Biloba), Ibuprofen, or other non steroidal inflammatory drugs for 2 days before and 2 days after your treatment to decrease the chance of bruising.

Inform the sclerotherapist if you are taking estrogen or birth control pills.

We recommend not to drink alcoholic beverages and not to smoke for 3 days before and 3 days after your treatment: these substances impair healing.

Do not apply any cream, lotion, oil or self tanners to your legs the night before or the day of your treatment.

Eat a light meal or snack 1 ½ hours before your appointment

If you need medications to help you relax, make sure you have a ride home.

Bring loose fitting / comfortable clothing

It is advised when having treatment of Reticular Veins to postpone flying for 48 hours

If you develop fever, flu or other illness before your appointment you must reschedule

Instructions Post Sclerotherapy Treatment

Now that your treatment is complete, we recommend that you sleep in your support hose the first night then wear them during the day for the next week, taking them off to sleep. You can never wear them too much.

• You may experience slight discomfort such as aching and throbbing for the first day, walking will help dissipate this sensation. Expect some bruising.
• In some cases, there may be no reaction or minimal improvement in the treated veins. Please keep in mind that no two patients are alike.
• Most often by treating the veins gradually it will avoid skin discoloration and obtain optimal results.
• Results are not instantaneous. The vessels may appear to turn dark and be tender. This could be entrapped blood in the closed vessel, a normal response that may need to be evacuated if necessary.
• If you have excessive bruising, you may take 1000mg of Vitamin C with Bioflavonoid daily for two weeks.
• Arnica cream helps bruising heal faster.
• COMPRESSION, COMPRESSION, COMPRESSION. Use your support stockings.
• Avoid tub baths, hot tubs, and saunas for next 72 hours. One week is best.
• No Pedicures for 72 hours
• Avoid blood thinning agents ( Aspirin, Advil, Coumadin)
• Avoid Iron supplements
• Avoid Sun Bathing/Exposure or Sun Tanning beds are not recommended for at least 2 weeks. This practice increases skin damage.

Post Laser Procedure Instruction

48 Hours after your procedure you should:

• Remove all your bandages and you may take a quick shower
• If you have steri strips (paper stitches) leave them on until they fall off
• You may shower and gently clean over them, tap dry and apply dressing
• Continue to wear your support stockings for next 3 weeks
• Continue walking 20 minutes a day
• Avoid spas and pedicures until all wounds completely heal

What to expect:

• Your areas of incision or puncture may drain for the next 48 hours
• Keep the wounds clean and dry after you remove the dressings in 48 hours
• Clean with soap and water and cover with gauze if they continue to drain
• If you have mild discomfort or pain you may take Tylenol as directed
• You will have to return to the office in 1 week for a repeat ultrasound of the leg treated to assure final results of the procedure.
• A 3-4 week follow-up appointment
• If you feel the bandages or stockings are too tight or uncomfortable please remove the dressing and stocking if you cannot contact us immediately.

Please call us with any questions or concerns:

• Union City Office              201-601-0900
• Hackensack Office            201-996-9244

You are permitted:

• Shower daily and apply lotions as desired.
• Keep active: Walk / Exercise for at least 20 minutes each day.
• High impact exercising should be avoided for 48 following spider vein treatment. Avoid heavy lifting, squatting or lifting heavy objects (weights / boxes).
• Wear your compression stockings, it will minimize side effects and optimize overall results.
• For spider veins wear for 3 days continuously and then during the day for 10 additional days.
• 2 to 3 weeks of compression is the optimal time to increase efficiency and diminish side effects.