Care at Home after a Vein Ligation

How will I feel after my surgery?

• You may feel slightly nauseated after surgery.
• You may feel light-headed, dizzy or sleepy for 24 hours after an anaesthetic.
• You may have a slight temperature for two (2) days.
• It is normal to have a slightly red, swollen incision.
• It is normal to have a small amount of oozing from pink to dark red from your incision.

• Your temperature is higher than 101°F or 38.5°C;
• You have bright red bleeding from your incision;
• You have more than a small amount of swelling around your incision;
• You have changes in your circulation if you had an operation on your limbs, such as a change in colour from normal to white or blue, or persistent numbness or tingling in the limb;
• You develop an infection, e.g., increased redness, swelling and pain at your incision and/or you develop a “smelly” discharge;
• You develop nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea that persists after 24 hours.

For 24 hours after surgery:

• Do not drive
• Do not operate heavy equipment
• Do not drink alcohol
• Do not smoke
• Do not make any important decisions

Nutrition:

• Eat light foods for the first day, such as tea, toast, soup or Jello® and drink extra fluids.
• If you are diabetic, follow your doctor’s orders for diet and medication.

Activity and Exercise:

• Have a responsible adult stay with you for 24 hours.
• You will need to rest for a few days following your surgery.
• Avoid any activity that strains the area of your surgery.
• Ask your surgeon when it is safe to return to your regular activities and work.

Hygiene:

• Your surgeon will tell you when you may have a bath or shower and wash your hair.

Medication:

• Take only the medication for pain that your surgeon prescribes.
• Follow your surgeon’s order about when to start taking your routine medications.

Surgical Area:

• Use elastic stockings or bandages as ordered by surgeon.
• Keep area clean and dry.
• If the incision opens up, cover with a clean dressing and call your doctor.
• If you start to have bright red bleeding that soaks through your dressing, put a clean cloth over the incision, apply pressure with your hand and call your surgeon.
• If you have stitches, your surgeon will tell you if and when they should be removed.

Follow-Up Care:

• Make a follow-up appointment with your surgeon in 7-10 days.