After Radiofrequency (RF) or Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT)

Home Instructions

Compression Stockings 

Your compression stocking is very important to the success of your procedure. You will need to wear it for 1 month.

You will need to wear the compression stocking on your leg for the first 72 hours.  Do not take it off. You will wear the stocking while you sleep.

After 72 hours, you may take off the stocking at night when you go to bed. Be sure to put it back on in the morning when you get up.

Exercise 

Start light activities such as walking, light aerobics, or using the treadmill or elliptical trainer.  Do this for at least 30 minutes every day for the next 4 weeks. 

If you have a regular exercise routine, you may slowly return to your normal activity over the next several days.  Wear your compression hose when you exercise.

For at least 2 weeks, don’t do any hard aerobics, horseback riding, squats, pilates, or strenuous sports.  Don’t do anything that involves straining such as lifting heavy weights.

Pain 

You can expect mild to moderate pain in the area that was treated. To relieve the pain, put ice on the treated area for 20 minutes every hour.  Wait 40 minutes and then ice again.

Your leg might feel “tight” or you might feel a “pulling” in your inner thigh or the back of your calf.  This is part of the normal healing process.  It may last for several weeks. 

About 7 to 10 days after your procedure, you may feel lumps or hardened areas along your treated vein(s).  This may be blood under the skin.  Please call our office if the lump(s) are painful or if you still have them after 2 weeks.

Medicines 

If your age is less than 65

• Take Tylenol (acetaminophen) 1000 mg  3 times a day as needed.

• Take 2 tablets of Ibuprofen 200 mg (for a total of 400 mg) 3 times a day with meals as needed. 

If you are 65 or older

• Take Tylenol (acetaminophen) 650 mg 3 times a day as needed.

• Take Ibuprofen 200 mg 3 times a day with meals as needed.

Leg Elevation 

It is OK to be up and about on the day of your procedure.  You will be more comfortable if you rest your leg on several pillows with your ankle above the level of your heart. Do this several times throughout the day.  In general, don’t stand still or sit with your legs down for any length of time.

Showers 

You may take a brief shower (no longer than ten minutes) 72 hours after your procedure.  Put the stocking(s) back on after your shower.   For the first week, take showers only.  No tub baths, hot tubs or swimming pools during this time.  

Bleeding 

Some people have some bleeding through the stocking.  If you have a spot of blood and it seems to be getting bigger:

• Lie down with your leg raised above the level of your heart.

• Press on the area with your hand for 10 to 20 minutes. 

Bruising 

This is normal and expected. It will most likely take a few weeks to fade. 

Driving 

It is safe to drive again when you feel sure you can press firmly on the brake.  For most people this is within 24 to 48 hours. 

Call your Doctor if you Have:

• Fever higher than 101.5 degrees

• More redness, warmth, swelling, or drainage

• Bleeding that does not stop when you rest with your leg raised and you apply pressure.

• Pain that is not relieved by rest, ice or pain medicine 

Follow-Up 

You will need follow-up ultrasounds on your leg to make sure the treated vein is closed.  They will be scheduled:

• 3 to 5 days after your procedure

• 1 month after your procedure