What can I do to reduce the pain? When can I take aspirin or ibuprofen after vein injections? What can I do to reduce the swelling? When can I shower after vein injections? How long before I can travel? How long must I be off work? When can I work out after vein injections ? When can I have a massage? Can I use a heating pad ? When can I suntan after vein injections? When will I see the final result of the vein injections? What should I do if I have questions? When do I come back to the office for aftercare? All of us at the Bashioum Cosmetic vein injections center are proud of the postoperative care of our patients. We want you to have the very best surgical result possible! We are here for you. If you have any questions of any kind, please call us. It is our pleasure to help you through your convalescence. It is important that you follow these aftercare instructions. They have been developed to reduce your risk of complications and they will help with the postoperative healing. Working together we will succeed in our goal for you! What can I do to reduce the pain? All patients experience some pain in their legs after vein injections. Usually this is minimal and passes within a few hours. Almost all patients take only plain acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain. Ice packs also help with pain and swelling. When applying the ice bags make sure that there is a small amount of water in with the ice at all times. Your skin should feel cool to the touch. Do not use frozen gel packs. When can I take aspirin or ibuprofen after vein injections? Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen containing products (Advil, Alka-Seltzer, Anacin, Ascriptin, Bayer Aspirin, BC, Bufferin, Cheracol Capsules, Cope, Coricidin, Darvon Compound, Dristan, Empirin or Empirin Compound, Excedrin, Fiorinol, Midol, Motrin, Percodan, Pepto-Bismol, Sine-Aid, Sine-Off, Stendin, Triminicin, Vanquish) for two weeks after your vein injections. These may cause excessive bruising that could lead to staining in the skin. What can I do to reduce the swelling? Swelling is a normal part of vein injection vein injections. Swelling will involve the legs and ankles as well. Elevating your legs on three or four pillows will minimize swelling. You may sit in a chair but elevate your legs as much as possible. Applying ice to your legs will also help. When applying the ice bags make sure that there is a small amount of water in with the ice at all times. Your skin should feel cool to the touch. Do not use frozen gel packs. Reducing the swelling reduces the pain after your vein injections. When can I shower after vein injections? You may shower the day after vein injections. You may use the antibacterial soap that you used before your vein injections. How long before I can travel? Traveling long distances or for long periods of time can be problematic after vein injections. Generally, I do not recommend traveling longer than one hour for one week after vein injections. When you do travel you must have help at all times with your baggage (do not lift more that five pounds for three weeks) and you must get out of your seat and walk for five minutes every hour. Keep your legs elevated at all times while traveling for two weeks. How long must I be off work? You can return to work immediately after your vein injections. Avoid standing or sitting with your legs hanging down (dependent) for two days. When can I work out after vein injections ? Generally, you can go back to working out immediately after vein injection vein injections. Avoid contact sports for six weeks. Workouts must stop if you experience discomfort in your legs. A balance of rest and reduced activity will speed up your recovery. When can I have a massage? Body massage is very effective in relaxation. However, it cannot be done while there is bruising of the skin due to the risk of long term or permanent brown-gray staining of the skin. All therapeutic massage vein injections must be discontinued until any bruising has completely resolved. Can I use a heating pad on my legs? Do not use a heating pad on your legs for a full six months after your vein injections. It is will not be possible for you to judge the temperature of the legs skin. This can lead to burns and terrible scarring. When can I suntan after vein injections? Scar healing takes six months to a year. For this reason, you will not see the final result of your vein injections for six months. During this time you will notice that the treated veins will become lighter in color. When will I see the final result of the vein injections? Swelling will resolve in twelve to twenty-four hours. You should be able to appreciate the benefits at that time. The results will last for three to six months. What should I do if I have questions? I care about you and your concerns very much. Please call me at any time you have any questions about your vein injection vein injections. Call if you have any excessive swelling, bleeding, soreness, fever, chills redness, or unusual wound drainage. It is particularly important if symptoms are present in only one leg. During office hours (8:30AM to 4:30PM, Monday through Friday), call 952.449.4900 and we will answer your questions. After hours, first call me at my home number, 952.473.XXXX. If there is no answer, call my office at 952.449.4900 and leave a message. I will be paged. You may also reach me on my mobile phone at 612.803.XXXX When do I come back to the office for aftercare? Please call the office between 8:30AM and 4:30PM during the workweek to make an arrangements for me to see you one week after your vein injections. Please call for appointments for follow up visits at six weeks, six months, and twelve months. The reason for this extended care is because it takes six months to one year for complete healing to occur. It would be my pleasure to see you at any time to answer any questions about your vein injections or any other cosmetic surgery that you read or hear about. There are no charges for any of your aftercare office visits. © Copyright 1998 Bashioum Cosmetic Surgery Center, Ltd. All Rights Reserved.