If you are thinking of undergoing varicose vein treatment, or you recently have done so, then you might be wondering when it’s possible to fly and/or exercise again. If so, then you have come to the right place. At Lumina Interventional Radiology, we provide effective varicose vein treatment via endovenous thermal ablation and sclerotherapy.
So, can you exercise or fly after receiving varicose vein treatment?
Can You Exercise After Varicose Vein Treatment?
If you have opted for thermal ablation, recovery is fast and simple. Patients are able to walk out the same day after the treatment.
We actively encourage walking after treatment. Immediately after the procedure you will be asked to walk for 20 minutes in the clinic. We then recommend you walk for a minimum an hour a day for at least the next two weeks. This can be split into two half hour walks. You may of course walk more than this if you wish.
When it comes to strenuous exercise such as weight training and running, we recommend avoiding this for 2 weeks after treatment.
This ensures that your body has sufficient time for healing, allowing the veins to remain closed.
Swimming pools should also be avoided for at least 10 days post-treatment to prevent the risk of infection.
Can You Fly After Varicose Vein Treatment?
With endovenous radiofrequency ablation or sclerotherapy, you can fly short haul (<5hr flight time) immediately post-treatment.
In general we recommend avoiding long haul flights (>5hr flight time) for a month afterwards, however, this will depend on the length of the flight and your previous medical history.
When flying, the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is increased, particularly for patients who have recently undergone varicose vein treatment. As a result, it is important to be cautious when planning air travel in the following weeks after your treatment.
We always recommend discussing with our specialists about your personal risk and how long you should wait before flying after varicose vein treatment. If you are cleared to fly, make sure to:
- Wear compression stockings/socks
- Regularly walk around in the plane
- Move feet often when sitting
- Drink plenty of water
- Avoid alcohol
- Avoid sleeping pills
Are you interested in high-quality varicose vein treatment? Here at Lumina Interventional Radiology, we specialise in minimally invasive non-surgical walk in/walk out treatments for varicose veins. This includes endovenous radiofrequency ablation and ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy.
If your varicose veins are causing discomfort and pain, our experts can help. Contact us today to speak to one of our medical professionals for further information.
