Precautions after varicose vein surgery, actively cooperate

Among vascular diseases, varicose veins are one of the common diseases. There are also many complications of varicose veins, which bring more and more serious impacts to the human body, such as itching and scratching of the skin on the legs, leading to ulcers, pigmentation, etc. At this time, we must pay attention to some postoperative care and maintenance of varicose veins, curb the worsening of the disease, and cooperate with the doctor for active treatment.

1. Remember the three "1s": check-up within one month after surgery, within 100 days, and once a year. 100% surgical efficacy = 80% surgery + 20% patient cooperation (postoperative review). A follow-up examination is required 7-14 days after surgery and 30-50 days after surgery, which is extremely important for postoperative recovery. After surgery, it is normal to feel lumps or unevenness when touched, which will disappear after 20-30 days. A small number of patients have complications such as local effusion, numbness, cord-like nodules, pigmentation, and recurrence, which require outpatient follow-up and treatment, otherwise problems such as deep vein thrombosis may occur.

2. Within 1 week after the operation, there will be tightness in the legs, swelling in the instep, and tolerable mild pain when walking. These are normal reactions after the operation and will gradually disappear after 1 week. Most people do not use pain medication, so pain medication is not routinely prescribed. If the pain is unbearable, you can take painkillers orally. 2-4 days after surgery, some patients may experience mild swelling on the back of their feet and ankles. This is a normal postoperative reaction and will gradually disappear. When you rest in bed or sleep at night, put a pillow or cotton pad under your leg and raise the affected limb to at least the length of your foot to eliminate swelling. Blue urine after surgery is normal drug excretion.

Elastic stockings purchased by patients themselves may cause swelling for a long time because they are not suitable, especially the ankles are too tight and put pressure on the feet, causing swelling or marks.

3. Time to wear elastic stockings: Wear them day and night for 1-2 weeks after surgery, then seek a follow-up examination from the surgeon. After the follow-up examination, you can wear them during the day and take them off at night according to the doctor's instructions, and continue for 1 month. The risk of postoperative complications will increase for patients who do not wear elastic stockings as required after surgery, patients who prepare inappropriate elastic stockings themselves, or elastic stockings that become loose after long-term use.

4. A small number of people may experience peanut-sized bleeding after the operation, but it will stop on its own, so don't be nervous. Some people may feel numbness, but it does not affect their life and will gradually improve. Most patients experience tension, dull pain and discomfort after surgery. The pain gradually disappears naturally after walking, and there is no need to take painkillers. Generally, antibiotics are not needed, and self-infusion of anti-inflammatory drugs is not necessary.

5. Do not be clever and change the dressings by yourself every day, or apply self-purchased or homemade Chinese medicine by yourself. Some people feel that they know a lot; incorrect and unnecessary handling of dressing changes, massages or application of Chinese medicine by yourself will result in delayed healing of some lesions, pigmentation or recurrence, and you will end up blaming others. Note: There are anti-slip points at the thigh root of the elastic stockings. It is best not to let them come into direct contact with the skin. You can turn them inside out, or put them over the waistband of shorts or cloth, or wear them completely inside out to avoid allergies. Some patients purchased dressing patches from small shops or clinics to cover their wounds and experienced skin allergies, which affected their prognosis. It is best to make an appointment to find the surgeon to change the dressing.

6. Bathing: To avoid infection, make sure to keep the wound dry after surgery and never let it get wet. As long as you keep the lower limb on the operated side dry and free of water, you can take a bath at any time. However, in general, it is recommended to take a bath 2 weeks after surgery depending on the dressing changes. The bath should be a shower, not a long bath. After washing, dry your legs with a towel as soon as possible. Do not rub them. Massage will worsen the condition and may cause infection, hematoma, or recurrence after surgery.

7. Postoperative taboos: absolutely avoid smoking and drinking (1 month), avoid spicy food, fresh ginger and seafood within 1 week after surgery; no fasting is required before and after surgery, and it is recommended to have an easily digestible light diet for the first time after surgery. Do not ride a bicycle, massage the surgical area, do strenuous sit-ups (such as suddenly squatting when using a toilet without a toilet), do push-ups, or do any heavy physical activity such as weightlifting or mountain climbing within 30 days after surgery.

8. Eat less foods that are low in sugar, fat, salt and high in fiber. Excessive fat intake in the body will increase water retention, lead to increased pressure in the legs and abdomen, and aggravate varicose veins. Control the salt intake. No more than 5g of salt should be consumed in meals every day. Eat easily digestible and light food. Control the amount of food you eat, do not overeat, match food reasonably, and do not consume excessive rough food to avoid damaging the esophageal veins and gastric fundus veins and causing bleeding.