What can the patient expect after varicose vein surgery?
In the hospital After varicose vein surgery, the patient returns to the ward with a firm bandage applied from the foot to the mid-thigh. The patient is allowed to take fluids by mouth and eat within a few hours of surgery and is generally discharged the day after surgery. Some elderly patients and those with other medical problems like heart disease or diabetes may have to stay in the hospital a little longer. The pain after varicose vein surgery is generally mild and patients are given painkiller tablets to keep the discomfort to a minimum. All patients are encouraged to be as active as they feel comfortable to be. On returning home On returning home from the hospital, the patient should plan for 3 or 4 days of quiet rest at home. The activity should be limited to walking around a little and spending most of the time resting with the leg elevated on cushions. After 3 or 4 days, the activity can be increased. In most cases, fairly normal activity and return to work with only slight res
