Ambulatory Phlebectomy

Ambulatory phlebectomy is generally well-tolerated by our patients. We take care to numb the treatment area carefully so as to minimize your discomfort. Once you are numb, there is no pain and the procedure is very tolerable.

Procedures on the lower leg carry a slightly increased risk of infection, and antibiotics are sometimes indicated. Dr. Jensen will review your medical history at your initial consultation to help you determine if antibiotics are recommended prior to your procedure.

Generally, the ambulatory phlebectomy procedure takes 30-45 minutes to perform.

Several easy steps can be taken to ensure a positive experience and an excellent outcome. Eat a normal meal (breakfast or lunch) as you would on any other day; you do not need to be fasting. Take your prescription medications as per routine unless instructed otherwise.

Please tell us if you have a history of migraines, blood clots, excessive bleeding, require antibiotics for a regular dental cleaning, are taking any blood thinners, or if you may be pregnant.

We wish to ensure that your questions are answered and that you are comfortable with the procedure. Dr. Jensen is happy to answer your questions at any time, including those that arise during the procedure. He will walk you through the process step by step so that you will feel confident that you are receiving the best care possible.

Compression socks: We recommend that you bring all of your compression socks (both thigh-high and knee-high) so that we will be able to choose the most appropriate one for you to wear following your procedure. If you decide to purchase compression socks somewhere besides Clarity Dermatology, we recommend that you bring them in to make sure that they will provide adequate compression.

Antibiotic prescription, if recommended by Dr. Jensen.

In general, you should continue to take your medications as directed by your prescribing physician. Do not stop your medications unless told otherwise, as it is rare that you would need to change you daily regimen. If you have specific questions, please bring them up at your initial consultation or preoperative appointment. Dr. Jensen will review your medication list with you and make recommendations based on your particular health history.

• Do not exercise for one day following the procedure; you may resume light exercise after 1 day as tolerated.
• Keep dressings clean and dry for at least 24 hours.
• Leave the Steri-Strips on the surgical site until they peel off; if you would like, you may trim the edges as they peel off. Once the Steri-Strips peel off, you may apply a small amount of petrolatum ointment (i.e., Vaseline, Aquaphor) to the spots until they heal completely.
• You may take over the counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen (i.e., Tylenol) or ibuprofen (i.e., Advil or Motrin) as directed, should you have any pain.
• Please call if you experience severe pain or any sign of infection such as redness, throbbing, warmth, or if there is any pus draining from the incision. This is a rare complication.

• Avoid exercise for at least 24 hours following the procedure. Light exercise may be resumed as tolerated after the 24 hour window.
• Do not submerge the treated area under water for at least 1 week, or until the small incisions heal completely.
• No heavy lifting (more than 20 lbs) for at least 2 weeks.

It is common to have mild post-treatment bruising and tenderness in the treatment area. This will generally resolve over a few weeks.

If you experience significant discomfort, please call us for directions. Often, tenderness can be alleviated with a combination of ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and acetaminophen (Tylenol). However, if you have any concerns, we encourage you to contact us.

Complications following ambulatory phlebectomy are unusual. However, a 2 week follow-up is often performed to make sure your are healing well and Dr. Jensen can answer any remaining questions you may have.