What is the recovery time for laser ablation and sclerotherapy treatments done together?

I am a teacher and am constantly walking and on my feet. I am having these procedures on both legs over an eight week period. It is scheduled to begin right before school starts and I need to know what kind of time I should expect to take off.

Answers from doctors (11)


Vein Center of Orange County

Published on Jul 28, 2015

You should not have to take any time off work after the procedure if it is done as it was intended - using only a local anesthetic. Our patients walk out of the office and resume their normal activity immediately.

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Answered by Vein Center of Orange County

You should not have to take any time off work after the procedure if it is done as it was intended - using only a local anesthetic. Our patients walk out of the office and resume their normal activity immediately.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Center of New Mexico

Published on Jul 26, 2015

Typically patients resume to work in 1 to 2 days after laser ablation and immediately for sclerotherapy. We do have a 2 week restriction on weight lighting and exercise other than walking. No flying for 2 weeks.

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Answered by Vein Center of New Mexico

Typically patients resume to work in 1 to 2 days after laser ablation and immediately for sclerotherapy. We do have a 2 week restriction on weight lighting and exercise other than walking. No flying for 2 weeks.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Advanced Vein Center

Published on Jul 21, 2015

I let patients return to work in 2 days. Treatment on Friday. Back to work Monday.

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Answered by Advanced Vein Center

I let patients return to work in 2 days. Treatment on Friday. Back to work Monday.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vascular Center and Vein Clinic of Southern Indiana

Published on Jul 21, 2015

I would recommend 72 hours to recover from a venous ablation and/or sclerotherapy procedure. Compression stockings are to be worn for 2-4 weeks.

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Answered by Vascular Center and Vein Clinic of Southern Indiana

I would recommend 72 hours to recover from a venous ablation and/or sclerotherapy procedure. Compression stockings are to be worn for 2-4 weeks.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Discomfort post procedure is usually minimal. Some of the older wave length lasers like 810, and 940 cauterize the vein and can at times cause considerable pain post op. Technology has advanced and I find the newer 1470 laser using a radial head laser fiber, and the Venus Closure fast are both very gentle. We encourage return to work, and exercise within 24 hours of procedure. We recommend compression for five days, but no limits on activities. Some discomfort may occur along the inside of the thigh, and sometimes a pulling sensation when exercising or activities like yoga or pilates. When sclerotherapy is performed at the same time, the large bulging veins that were injected may become very tender at two to three weeks as they are healing. This is usually controlled by anti-inflammatories, or a simple draining procedure with a small needle. Best to ask your doctor what to expect post op.

Answered by California Vein Specialists (View Profile)

Discomfort post procedure is usually minimal. Some of the older wave length lasers like 810, and 940 cauterize the vein and can at times cause considerable pain post op. Technology has advanced and I find the newer 1470 laser using a radial head laser fiber, and the Venus Closure fast are both very gentle. We encourage return to work, and exercise within 24 hours of procedure. We recommend compression for five days, but no limits on activities. Some discomfort may occur along the inside of the thigh, and sometimes a pulling sensation when exercising or activities like yoga or pilates. When sclerotherapy is performed at the same time, the large bulging veins that were injected may become very tender at two to three weeks as they are healing. This is usually controlled by anti-inflammatories, or a simple draining procedure with a small needle. Best to ask your doctor what to expect post op.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Center of Westlake Village

Published on Jul 21, 2015

You are having both laser and and sclerotherapy procedures performed together over an 8 week period of time just prior to beginning your school year as a teacher. Nicely, you are not expected to require any time off work for recovery. You will be expected to wear your compression stockings during your work day and to walk daily during the treatment period and for 2 weeks after the last treatment. Otherwise there should be no disruption to your daily routine.

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Answered by Vein Center of Westlake Village

You are having both laser and and sclerotherapy procedures performed together over an 8 week period of time just prior to beginning your school year as a teacher. Nicely, you are not expected to require any time off work for recovery. You will be expected to wear your compression stockings during your work day and to walk daily during the treatment period and for 2 weeks after the last treatment. Otherwise there should be no disruption to your daily routine.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on Jul 21, 2015

After an ablation, I usually recommend the next day off before returning to work. Often, we treat teachers etc on a Friday. I do not inject varicose veins, As a vascular surgeon, I remove them cosmetically through tiny punctures at the same time. This ensures one downtime with excellent results. Later when everything has settled down, we review the need to inject spider veins (this is cosmetic and not covered by insurance) with treatments being about 4-6 weeks apart. There is no downtime for this except wearing hose for a few days.

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Answered by Vein Specialties of St. Louis

After an ablation, I usually recommend the next day off before returning to work. Often, we treat teachers etc on a Friday. I do not inject varicose veins, As a vascular surgeon, I remove them cosmetically through tiny punctures at the same time. This ensures one downtime with excellent results. Later when everything has settled down, we review the need to inject spider veins (this is cosmetic and not covered by insurance) with treatments being about 4-6 weeks apart. There is no downtime for this except wearing hose for a few days.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Our patients do not see any down time other than day of surgery, so you should be fine. Hope this helps.

Answered by Advanced Vein & Vascular Center Inc. (View Profile)

Our patients do not see any down time other than day of surgery, so you should be fine. Hope this helps.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Rosen Vein Care

Published on Jul 21, 2015

You shouldn't need to take any time off. Typically my patients can resume most routine activities immediately after endovenous laser ablation or sclerotherapy. There typically is some post-procedure discomfort, but my patients have never needed to use anything stronger than a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (naproxen...think "prescription alleve®") after endovenous ablation. My patients have never required any medication for pain after sclerotherapy. All of my patients have found that by keeping active (walking especially), using their compression stockings and using the naproxen (as directed)..their discomfort is well-managed.
Of course, you will have to discuss specific recommendations with the doctor performing your procedure(s), but typically you should be back at work the same or next day.

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Answered by Rosen Vein Care

You shouldn't need to take any time off. Typically my patients can resume most routine activities immediately after endovenous laser ablation or sclerotherapy. There typically is some post-procedure discomfort, but my patients have never needed to use anything stronger than a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (naproxen...think "prescription alleve®") after endovenous ablation. My patients have never required any medication for pain after sclerotherapy. All of my patients have found that by keeping active (walking especially), using their compression stockings and using the naproxen (as directed)..their discomfort is well-managed.
Of course, you will have to discuss specific recommendations with the doctor performing your procedure(s), but typically you should be back at work the same or next day.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


General Vascular Surgery Group

Published on Jul 21, 2015

A week at most. Probably less.

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Answered by General Vascular Surgery Group

A week at most. Probably less.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Jul 21, 2015

Most patients can return to routine activities within 2 to 3 days post ablation. The kind of work that a patient does and the amount of time on their feet may affect how soon they can return to all activities. In general, it takes anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks to fully heal after an ablation but during the healing process patients can progressively do routine activities.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Most patients can return to routine activities within 2 to 3 days post ablation. The kind of work that a patient does and the amount of time on their feet may affect how soon they can return to all activities. In general, it takes anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks to fully heal after an ablation but during the healing process patients can progressively do routine activities.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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