Vascular Surgeon
Expert in the treatment of varicose veins
Is there a specific time of year to have varicose veins surgery?
Is it true that varicose veins are only operated on in the cool or cold season? and why?
There is a very old tradition of operating on varicose veins only in the cold season, globally from October to May. Patients seen outside of this period are advised to wait for surgery.
This is mainly due to the discomfort of the dressings and the wearing of postoperative compression stockings in the summer and peri-summer periods, with, in addition, exposure to the sun which should be avoided.
However, treatment techniques have evolved over the last 15 years and this is no longer necessarily true today.
Can I then have varicose vein surgery between May and October?
The mini-invasive evolution of treatment techniques allows us today to consider treating varicose veins in all seasons, especially with the ASVAL method.
Indeed, this technique is very non-invasive and does not require dressings or nursing care after the procedure.
It also does not require the wearing of compression stockings for more than 24 hours, except in special situations (e.g., travel).
Thus, varicose veins can be operated on even in summer if necessary.
Why not wait until fall or winter to have the operation?
Because summer is the most critical period for varicose veins.
Indeed, varicose veins can spread or become complicated by thrombosis due to the heat and dehydration in the summer, which will aggravate the dilation of varicose veins and the stagnation of the blood they contain.
Moreover, this dilation will aggravate the symptoms due to varicose veins such as heaviness, pain, stretchings, fatigue, cramps, impatience and itching.
In the most severe cases, it can even worsen the condition of the skin with the risk of a varicose ulcer.
The only way to limit these risks when you decide to spend the summer with your varicose veins is to wear compression stockings, which is very uncomfortable!
There is therefore no medical rationale in making a patient wait until the end of spring, summer or the beginning of autumn by knowingly exposing him to these risks.
Are there any disadvantages to having surgery between May and October?
The only disadvantage is that it is necessary to avoid direct exposure of the operated leg to the sun, without protection by a sun block.
This disadvantage is relative since it is also necessary to avoid exposure to the sun in the presence of varicose veins (which further increases the risk of thrombosis) and this even with the application of a sunblock cream.
In conclusion, if you have varicose veins and especially if they bother you, do not wait for winter to have a minimally invasive surgery for varicose veins, in particular the ASVAL method !
