Sleeping Easily After Varicose Vein Surgery
Varicose vein surgery is considered major surgery. After this procedure, you will need to care for yourself in order to facilitate a full recovery. One of the things your body needs most post surgery is rest and deep sleep after varicose vein surgery. During the sleep cycle, your body has a chance to fully mend itself. Your vein doctor will send you home with detailed instructions on aftercare, including how to sleep. However, if you’re researching varicose vein surgery and want to know how to sleep afterwards, consider these tips.
Tips for Sleeping After Getting Rid of Varicose Veins
When your legs are lower than your heart, blood flows downward and builds up pressure in your veins. Since your veins are still recovering, you should avoid adding undo pressure by elevating the legs during sleep. Have your spouse or partner place a couple of pillows under your legs, just below the knee joint. If you wake during the night, focus on ensuring that your legs remain elevated. In addition, avoid ice packets made of ice from the freezer.
These DIY ice packets can melt as you sleep, and you don’t want to get your bandages wet. Instead, if ice makes your legs feel better, use commercial cold packs made of flexible gel material. You can mold these around the bandages and refreeze as necessary without fear of leakage. Be sure to ask your doctor first if it’s okay to use ice to manage pain. Your vein doctor will likely tell you to wear compression stockings for at least three weeks after your vein surgery. Be sure to wear these while you are sleeping, too. Don’t be tempted to “give yourself a break,” otherwise you may wake up to swollen legs. Ask your doctor when you will be able to take breaks from the compression stockings.
Natural Remedies That Will Help You Sleep
You’ll be required to rest for a minimum of seven days after your surgery. This restful period should include plenty of sleep, including naps during the day. It’s helpful to enlist the aid of a partner to make sure you have everything you need for sleep including clean linens, comfortable pajamas or nightgown, and a soothing bedroom environment. There will be a certain amount of pain and discomfort after varicose vein surgery. This pain and discomfort may make it difficult to sleep. Ask your doctor which over the counter medications are okay to take. Don’t take anything your vein doctor hasn’t approved, since some medications cause side effects that can cause negative healing patterns in varicose vein patients. Instead, you might try natural remedies, such as chamomile or lavender tea, which have compounds that aid sleep. The natural supplement melatonin can also help you to fall asleep without a chemical sleep aid.
Vein & Vascular Premiere Vein Care
At Vein & Vascular Vein Center, we offer quality treatment for varicose veins. View our various New Jersey locations online. If you would like to learn more about Vein and Vascular Institute, please contact us and we would be happy to answer all of your questions.