I had laser ablation and plebectomy on my right leg with good results. I want to have, at least some phlebotomy on the left leg again. Is it better to do the procedure now or wait until after I give birth? The reason I am anxious about waiting to have the procedure is that I am getting these increasing blue spots up the sides (particularly inner side) of my leg and I am afraid those will get worse and stick around.
Pregnancy will aggravate varicose vein disease. I'd wait until you've given birth to have treatment. Have you and your physician considered sclerotherapy for the blue spots?
Published on Jul 11, 2012
As long as you don't become pregnant for six-twelve months after the procedure, it would be better to have it before pregnancy. If pregnancy occurs soon after ablation, the vein may recanalize (reopen) and require additional treatment. This assumes you have been properly diagnosed and require ablation. If you are asking about having phlebectomy only after successfull ablation, before pregnancy would be fine. Remember that developing varicose and spider veins is an inherited, ongoing condition that will require periodic maintenance treatments. In general, it is better to have treatment before and between pregnancies than to wait until after all planned pregnancies.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Always wait at least 3 months after delivery to get evaluated for EVLT. The veins may go away.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
As to the ablative laser surgery I would definitely recommend waiting until after your child's birth. There are many reasons for this which I won't go into but waiting would be the best course of action.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
These procedures should wait until after your pregnancy, especially since they are elective in nature. In the interim, while your waiting for your bundle of joy to arrive- compression stockings work wonders in keeping symptoms at bay. With pregnancy however, because of the increased blood supply, you will unfortunately see a visible increase of reticular (bluish in nature) and spider veins, which should diminish some time after you give birth. Talk to your doctor about a follow up appt after you have your baby and let him/her reevaluate your legs at that point. An ultrasound will determine if ablation and phlebectomy is even necessary on that leg.
Good luck to you and congrats.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
For patients with symptomatic venous insufficiency, I recommend treating the veins between pregnancy, with an understanding that there is a higher risk for recurrence if the patient finds herself pregnant again.
Patients I have treated report that subsequent pregnancy was much less unpleasant, secondary to vein symptoms if the venous insufficiency was addressed.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
If you are pregnant nothing should be done until after delivery and cessation of breast feeding when maternal hormones have returns to normal. The veins you see may be resolved. However I highly advise you wear thigh length hose to slow down the vein development.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
It is better to have your vein problem treated before a pregnancy because vein problems tend to worsen with and during pregnancies.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Generally we like to wait until after pregnancy to proceed with elective medical procedures.
Published on Jul 11, 2012