Consultation and Preparing for Surgery
During your consultation be prepared to discuss:
- Any problems you may have had in the area to be treated, such as pain or previous injuries
- Any surgical procedures that have been performed near the area to be treated, including any previous vein treatments
- Current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco, and drug use
- Medical conditions, family history, drug allergies, and medical treatments
- Your goals
Your surgeon will also:
- Evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors
- Examine your veins in detail
- Discuss likely outcomes of spider vein treatment and any risks or potential complications
- Discuss your options
- Recommend a course of treatment
If leg veins are the problem, your surgeon may examine you for signs of more serious "deep vein" problems, as well as for larger, varicose veins. These conditions are often identified by swelling, sores, or skin changes at the ankle. If more serious vascular problems are identified, your surgeon may refer you to a different specialist for further evaluation and possible treatment.
Prior to spider vein treatment, you may be asked to:
- Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding
- Stop smoking
- Take certain medications or adjust your current medications
Spider vein treatment requires no anesthesia and is usually performed in an outpatient setting. More than one treatment session may be required to obtain optimal results.
Be sure to ask your plastic surgeon questions. It's very important to understand all aspects of your spider vein treatment. It's natural to feel some anxiety, whether it's excitement for your anticipated new look or a bit of pretreatment stress. Don't be shy about discussing these feelings with your plastic surgeon.
