PREPARING FOR YOUR ENDOVENOUS LASER PROCEDURE (EVLT®)

You have been scheduled for EVLT laser ablation procedure. Please arrive approximately 20 minutes prior to your appointment time to complete any remaining paperwork. A friend or family member should come with you to drive you home after the procedure. You may eat a light breakfast on the morning of your procedure. Wear loose fitting shorts, or very loose pants that you can pull on over the leg bandage that will be placed on after the procedure.

Take a shower and wash your leg with antibacterial soap (Dial or other brand) on the morning of your procedure. Please do not apply any lotions to your leg before your procedure. It may be necessary, prior to the procedure, to shave some hair in your groin region to facilitate the ultrasound probe.

If you feel anxious and cannot relax prior to the procedure, you may take a sedative tablet (prescription attached) for Xanax one hour prior to the procedure. DO NOT drive after you have taken the Xanax.

Please review the Patient Informed Consent form and bring it with you on the day of your procedure. We will review it again and ask you to sign it just before the procedure. If you are planning on taking the Xanax, then we would ask that you show up in our office prior to taking the sedative, so we may review and sign the form prior to any sedation.

You MUST bring your prescription Class II stockings with you on the day of the procedure. If you fail to bring them, we will have to cancel your appointment, and reschedule for another date. If you have questions or problems filling your prescription for the stockings, please contact our office for assistance.

If you have any questions or concerns prior to your appointment, please do not hesitate to call our office at 210-616-7780 or 1-800-317-0774.

POST-EVLT PATIENT INSTRUCTIONS

1. Your leg was wrapped with a compression bandage prior to putting on your compression stockings. These are to remain in place until your follow up visit. Should you have problems, discomfort, or feel numbness in your foot or toes, please contact our office immediately. The compression bandage will be removed at that visit, and you should continue wearing your compression stockings for another 7 days, except when sleeping or showering. The benefit with compliance will be a reduction in bruising, swelling and pain. If you must be in the sun, use sunscreen (at least SPF 30) on your legs for the next 2-3 months to avoid a darkening of the skin where you have been treated.



2. You will be expected to walk immediately after receiving these instructions for at least 20 minutes here at our office. Normal activity can be resumed immediately, but strenuous exercise can cause the vein to reopen, so please avoid hot baths and vigorous activity such as gym workouts until at least 7 days following the procedure.



3. Recovery from EVLT is usually trouble-free. It is normal to feel a ?tightening? sensation in your leg after a couple of days, and it may last for a few days. Your thigh may also be slightly tender to the touch for a few days. This discomfort can generally be managed with over-the-counter analgesics like Tylenol or Motrin, but please avoid aspirin-based products unless otherwise recommended or prescribed.



4. As with any invasive procedure, problems can develop. If you develop an acute fever (more than 100°F or 38°C) or severe or worsening pain/swelling, please call our office at 210-616-7780 or 1-800-317-0774 immediately.