Surgery for Varicose veins

Dr Elvy performs Varicose vein surgery at the Day Only Surgical Centre

69 Albany St Coffs Harbour

He has performed in excess of 900 procedures over the last 12 years

Surgery for varicose veins is now minimally invasive , performed as a day only procedure under local anaesthetic on Fridays only

The surgery usually involves a small incision in the groin , where the main varicose vein is tied off and removed by stripping down to below the knee.

Varicose veins themselves are removed through a small incision with the use of a small hook.

The operation takes approximately 1.5 hours with a recovery time of two hours before discharge

You will need someone to drive you home and will have  bandages on your leg for two days. Following this you will wear a stocking for 2 weeks. This stocking can be removed for showering and sleeping.

Armidale or Surrounds patients will need to

• Consult me in Coffs Harbour on the day before their procedure  (Thursday)
• The operation will be performed on Friday
• Patients will need to stay in Coffs until at  least  Sunday am
• You will need to come down with someone to drive you home
• Accommodation  suggestions contact Carol or Karen on 02 66 580222

You can drive after 2 to 3 days and return to work in about a week( depending on your occupation)

At 6 weeks patients are reviewed and sclerotherapy undertaken to any remaining veins

 What to do before the operation

• Stop the pill four weeks before surgery and two weeks after.

• You may continue hormone replacement therapy.

•  If possible, STOP SMOKING.

• Stop  Warfarin , Aspirin or Disprin or Arthritis drugs seven days prior to operation.

• Wash in Sapoderm Soap for one week before operation.

•   Please bring in your regular medications and you must take your morning tablets at 6.00am with a small sip of water.

•  Please remove all make-up, jewellery and nail polish before attending theatre.

• The anaesthetist, Dr Stephen May, will see you for a pre-operative consultation just prior to your operation.

• After surgery, you may go home when fully awake and the nursing sister is happy with your recovery.

• You will be unable to drive yourself home after surgery so you would need to organise for someone to collect you.

•   I will see you in my surgery on the following Monday . An appointment will be made for you and you will be advised of the time before  you leave the day surgery

You must walk for 30 minutes every morning and night for two weeks. The first two days may be around the house, after which brisk walking is encouraged

What to expect after surgery                                                                                                                        

• Ø      Bruising (takes several weeks to disappear).

• Ø      A scar in the groin and/or near the knee (that fades with time).

• Ø      You will be unable to return to work following extensive varicose vein surgery for one week.

• Ø      Return to sport in three weeks.

• Ø      DO NOT REMOVE BANDAGES until reviewed by Dr Elvy.

• Ø      Do not get the bandages wet. Cover them to bathe.

• Ø      The groin incision is to be kept dry.

• Ø      Do not stand in the one place for long periods, move around or march on the spot.

• If you have excessive pain please contact Dr Elvy on his mobile phone

• Do not lie for long periods during the day, you may sleep normally

What Complications can occur?                                                                                                                   

Remember all operations carry the risk of complications. I will list these in order of occurrence:-

• Ø      Bruising (common) and initial scar and fine veins (fades with time).

• Ø      Tender haematomas – less than 5%

• Ø      Post-op bleeding – less than 5%

• Ø      Infection – less than 5%

• Ø      Nerve damage (numbness) – less than 2%

• Ø      Allergy to sclerosant – less than 0.5%

• Ø      Thrombosis of deep vein – less than 0.5% (this risk is increased if you smoke, take the pill or fail to adequately exercise)

• Ø      Lymphatic damage – less than 2%

• Ø      Anaesthetic risk – occasionally nausea, vomiting, especially with general anaesthesia; rarely headaches. Serious effects are very rare with any form of general or spinal anaesthesia (e.g. allergic reactions to drugs used). If you have any questions concerning this, please discuss with the anaesthetist.

The technology used is well established and carries very little risk. Patient’s that mobilise daily and are in good health are at very low risk.

If you have any questions regarding your surgery or the modern treatment of varicose veins, please do not hesitate to discuss this with me.

After your surgery you will be able to contact me at any time if you have any concerns or question

Quote for Varicose Vein Surgery***

The Day and Eye Surgery Centre has the highest level of accreditation available, and has state of the art equipment and extremely well trained staff (4 or more theatre staff ).  We aim to provide the best treatment possible and give you the best result, with the minimum interruption to your lifestyle.

As a service to our patients, we provide the following ESTIMATE*** of the likely medical costs you will be required to pay for your in-hospital elective procedure. 

If you are in a participating health fund with the No Gap Scheme, your hospital account will be forwarded directly to your fund for payment.  However, there is a co-payment fee of $100 to $150  which covers:-

Ø      post-operative visit for changing the dressings,

Ø      supply and fitting of a compression stocking  and follow up treatment to inject veins

Ø      practice costs due to medical indemnity insurance,

Ø      the shortfall of the amount paid by your Health Fund and Medicare. 

This amount is payable at the time of your post-operative visit.  Some health funds will reimburse a proportion of the stocking.

Extra costs which MAY apply:-

Ø      Should a pre-op scan and mapping be required there is a fee of:-

$232.00** Private or $172.00 **Pension ($132.00 rebate from Medicare) payable at the time of the scan. 

Ø      Should a pre-op mapping only be required there is a fee of $172.00 Private or Pension ($132.00 rebate from Medicare) payable at the time of the scan.

Ø      The anaesthetist’s account is fully covered by the No Gap Scheme.

Ø      If you have an excess attached to your health fund this may be charged.

If you have any questions, please ask either my staff or myself.

   **Estimate of Medical Fees

***Costs may vary and will be given to you as a definite quote at your pre operative consult