Varicose vein surgery

I had it about 20 years ago. Mainly it just made lots of scars and didn't help. Luckily the doctor didn't do anything with the main veins in my legs. Things have come a long way since then! I'm having laser vein surgery this Thursday and the following Tuesday. If all goes as planned, I can go without the thigh high stockings (30-40mmHg) I've been wearing for years. I'm excited, but also a bit nervous. I have to stay completely off the bikes for 2 weeks after the last surgery, and off the mountain bike and distance riding (hills, etc.) for 6 weeks. That might just be the hardest part. I use the biking to manage stress in a big way. I didn't do it in the winter because the biking helped me manage SAD. Wish me luck.

Deb

Good luck!

I was looking at my legs today and starting to wonder if I need to take a move in that direction. Please give a report of how it goes. Does the doctor have any activities to recommend to cope with stress - can you do yoga, something more gentle?

Thanks. Tomorrow morning. I've been dealing with this since my late teens. This is the first time I've allowed myself to have hope. The cycling does help — the more fit I am, the better off my legs are, but the venous insufficiency is still there.

Deb

Good luck! I hope it's quick and painless, and you look like Cyd Charisse when you're done.

Good luck! I hate the veins in my thighs and they got really bad after I had my kids. Good for you for having the strength and courage to do something about it. Keep us posted, hope you have a quick recovery!

So far, so good. A little sore, but nothing compared to the old-school surgery I had 20 years ago! (And no big incisions closed with staples!) Yesterday morning I stood in the shower (first real shower since surgery #1) and it was the first time in more than 20 years that both my feet were the same color!

Deb

I do miss the bikes, though. I wish they wouldn't whimper when I go in the garage.