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Originally Posted by RickFLM4
The issue is moving blood back up to my heart. Not an issue with potential blood clots or anything like that. Just leg swelling and skin changes (including discoloration and periodic itching), particularly around my ankle. This has been maintained with lotions and steroid cream, but it is not something that will cure itself and only worsen with age. I have had it for decades and it is now rather significant on one leg more than the other.
First procedure is to seal the vein shut using heat (upper leg). For the lower leg, he uses some type of foam to redirect bloodflow to other veins. Lower leg would be done 2-3 weeks after upper. After that, we'll look into the other leg. Will need to see him annually thereafter for an ultrasound to monitor remaining veins as this is apparently genetic and it could occur in other veins as I get older.
Options are to wait or do it now. I am told that eventually I will have worse skin issues on my leg that could be difficult to heal. I have no pain or issues other than swelling and periodic skin irritation, but scheduled a procedure for November since it isn't something that will cure itself and will likely need to be addressed at some point. Sounds common and pretty minor / quick with minimal recovery so might as well get it done. The only reason I was considering waiting further is my primary care doctor left the medical practice and I wanted to talk it over with him. Can't contact him now and finding a new primary care doctor is a little challenging in terms of a near-term appointment.
So, I was just wondering if anyone else has done this and, if so, how it went. Any complications or is the procedure and recovery as simple as it sounds? Any questions I might want to ask?
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If the only options he offered were now vs. later than I'd suggest a specialty consult for a second opinion with another vascular surgeon who specializes in these issues. If he discussed and rejected various surgical options with bypass grafts, then this may not be as relevant. Cardiologists usually have a lot of experience with local providers' work, and can be a good source of input for who are the better surgeons for this type of issue. I've not had these issues myself, but dealt with family and many patients who did.