Summer is not too far in the distance, and already the temperature is heating up to a point where wearing shorts and tank tops is an almost daily occurrence. As someone who suffers from varicose veins, you know you want to book with a vascular surgeon to get them removed once and for all. However, despite your desire to get the surgery done before the Christmas holidays, there are actually three good reasons to wait until autumn rolls around again. Here are the reasons why.

Summer Brings Edema

There is a lot to do over the summer months. From shopping for Christmas presents to spending time at family get-togethers, the amount you spend on your feet during summer significantly increases. Add in the hot weather during this time of year and you've got a recipe for edema. Edema is when your legs and ankles swell because increased fluid is retained in this area. Swollen legs and ankles will inhibit your ability to heal after the varicose vein surgery, so waiting for cooler temperatures in autumn removes that potential problem.

Compression Stockings Comfort

After you have your varicose vein removal procedure done, you may need to wear compression stockings. A clinical study held in the United States showed that those patients who wore compression stockings for two weeks after their surgery experienced less pain than those who wore no stockings. If your surgeon says that they wish you to wear this type of stocking after surgery, wearing it in cooler weather is going to be a lot more comfortable for your skin than wearing it in the hot weather. Additionally, it is easier to hide the stockings under the autumn clothing of long pants or skirts than it is during the summer when you live in shorts.

Autumn Aids Healing

Finally, apart from the summer heat bringing with it the possibility of edema, it also brings with it strong UV rays. You need to avoid UV rays from the sun as much as possible while your veins are healing. The protein in your skin that keeps it firm is collagen, and UV rays activate matrix metalloproteinases, which is a group of enzymes. These enzymes only have one job to do, which is destroying your collagen. The less collagen you have, the saggier your skin becomes, and this is not conducive to helping your skin heal after surgery.

While it is recommended that you wait until after summer for your varicose vein removal surgery, there is no reason why you cannot make an appointment with a vascular surgeon now to begin the pre-surgical consultation.

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