Vascular Patient Instructions

KONCEPT® Vein Centre

KONCEPT® Vein Centre
“Medical excellence” · “Compassionate care”

Patient instructions, pre-care & post-care for vascular procedures

Quick links

Jump straight to your procedure

Click your procedure for the pre-care and post-care that apply to you.

EVLA · Endovenous Laser AblationPre-care·Post-care
RFA · Radiofrequency AblationPre-care·Post-care
ClariVein (MOCA)Pre-care·Post-care
Foam sclerotherapyPre-care·Post-care
Ambulatory phlebectomyPre-care·Post-care
Microsclerotherapy (cosmetic)Pre-care·Post-care
Diabetic Foot ClinicPre & post-care
Wound Care ServicePre & post-care
Lymphoedema ServicePre & post-care
Compression Therapy & StockingsPre & post-care

Section 1

Before your initial consultation

Your first appointment is a 30 to 45-minute consultation with a Consultant Vascular Surgeon. Where clinically indicated, a duplex ultrasound scan of the leg(s) is performed on the same visit.

What to bring

  • Photo ID (passport, driving licence)
  • A list of your current medications and doses, including over-the-counter, supplements, vitamins
  • A list of any allergies (drug, latex, plaster, iodine, local anaesthetic)
  • If insured, your insurance details and authorisation reference if you already have one
  • Any previous duplex scan reports, vascular letters, or related imaging (paper or PDF on your phone is fine)

What to wear

  • Loose, easy-to-roll-up clothing on the leg(s) being examined
  • Skirt, shorts or wide-leg trousers are ideal
  • You will be asked to undress to underwear from the waist down for examination and scan. A gown is provided

What to expect

  • Pre-attendance questionnaire link sent by email after booking, please complete it before you arrive
  • History, examination, duplex scan if indicated
  • A clear written summary of findings and a treatment plan
  • A written self-pay quote or, for insured patients, the next step on the insurance pathway
  • A copy of the letter sent to your GP, with your consent

Practical tips

  • Allow 60 to 75 minutes for your visit including arrival and reception time
  • Parking nearby at the Bentall Centre car park
  • Kingston station is a short walk
  • Hydration helps the scan, no need to fast

Section 2

Before your procedure (general pre-op)

This section applies to every theatre procedure. Procedure-specific extras are in the next section.

7 to 14 days before

  • Confirm your appointment in writing
  • Read this page once through
  • If you have private medical insurance, make sure your pre-authorisation reference is in place
  • Stock up on simple painkillers (paracetamol, ibuprofen if you tolerate it)
  • Buy or arrange the medical-grade compression stockings recommended in your treatment plan

48 hours before

  • Avoid alcohol
  • Avoid heavy exercise
  • If you are on aspirin, anticoagulants (warfarin, DOAC such as rivaroxaban, apixaban, edoxaban, dabigatran), antiplatelet drugs (clopidogrel), or any medication that affects bleeding, follow the pause plan your consultant gave you in writing. Do not stop or change anticoagulants without explicit instruction.
  • If you are diabetic and use insulin, your consultant will have given you a tailored plan

Night before

  • Shave the leg only if your consultant has asked you to (most modern endovenous procedures do not require this)
  • Shower or bath as normal
  • Sleep well, your procedure is under local anaesthetic, you do not need to fast unless told otherwise

Morning of your procedure

  • Light breakfast unless you have been asked to fast
  • Plenty of water
  • Bring your compression stockings to the appointment
  • Bring any medications you take that day
  • Arrange a lift home (you should not drive on procedure day)
  • Wear loose-fitting clothing that will fit comfortably over compression stockings
  • Bring a small bag with a bottle of water and any reading material you might want for recovery

What NOT to do

  • Do not apply any creams, lotions, fake tan or make-up to the leg(s) being treated
  • Do not wear nail polish on the toes of the leg(s) being treated (this can affect post-procedure observations)
  • Do not drive yourself home

Section 3

Procedure-specific pre-care

Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA)

  • Tumescent local anaesthetic is used along the treated vein
  • No fasting required
  • Bring your prescribed compression stockings
  • Procedure time, typically 45 to 60 minutes per leg
  • Plan for 60 to 90 minutes total at the clinic on procedure day

→ EVLA post-care

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)

  • Identical pre-care to EVLA
  • Tumescent local anaesthetic used
  • Bring your compression stockings
  • Procedure time, typically 45 to 60 minutes per leg

→ RFA post-care

VenaSeal (cyanoacrylate medical adhesive)

  • No tumescent anaesthetic needed, only a small amount of local at the access point
  • Compression stockings are NOT routinely required afterwards (unique to VenaSeal)
  • No fasting required
  • Procedure time, typically 30 to 45 minutes per leg
  • Allergic reaction to medical adhesive is very rare. If you have a known cyanoacrylate or strong glue allergy, tell your consultant before booking

→ VenaSeal post-care

ClariVein (mechanochemical ablation, MOCA)

  • No heat used, no tumescent anaesthetic
  • Local at the access point only
  • Bring your compression stockings (typically worn for 2 weeks after)
  • Procedure time, typically 30 to 45 minutes per leg

→ ClariVein post-care

Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy

  • Local anaesthetic at injection sites
  • Bring your compression stockings (worn for up to 2 weeks)
  • Procedure time, 20 to 30 minutes per session
  • If you have a history of migraine with aura, please tell your consultant before the procedure. This very rarely changes the plan but is part of safe consent

→ Foam sclerotherapy post-care

Ambulatory phlebectomy

  • Local anaesthetic
  • Bring your compression stockings
  • Procedure time, 30 to 60 minutes
  • The leg will be marked with a skin pen before the procedure. This is normal

→ Phlebectomy post-care

Microsclerotherapy (cosmetic)

  • No general anaesthetic
  • No fasting
  • Avoid moisturiser, fake tan or lotions on the leg on the morning of the procedure
  • Bring loose trousers. You will be advised on stockings depending on the area treated
  • A 14-day cooling-off period applies to all cosmetic procedures. You will have been offered this when consent was discussed

→ Microsclerotherapy post-care

Section 4

After your procedure (general aftercare)

This section applies to every theatre procedure. Procedure-specific recovery patterns are in the next section.

In the first 24 hours

  • Walk gently from the moment you are home. Short walks every 1 to 2 hours during the day reduce the risk of DVT
  • Keep the leg moving when you sit (ankle circles, calf flexion)
  • Keep dressings dry, no showering or bathing in the first 24 hours unless told otherwise
  • Take simple painkillers (paracetamol, ibuprofen) regularly rather than waiting for pain to build
  • Do not drive
  • Eat and drink as normal

Days 2 to 7

  • Continue daily walking, build up duration gradually
  • You can shower normally from 48 hours, pat the dressings dry afterwards
  • Compression stockings stay on as per your written plan (most procedures, day and night for 48 hours, then daytime for 12 to 14 days, except VenaSeal where compression is not routinely required)
  • Avoid heavy lifting, strenuous gym work, contact sport
  • Office work usually resumes within 24 to 48 hours
  • Bruising, tightness and a feeling of tugging or pulling along the treated vein are normal

Weeks 2 to 6

  • Return to regular exercise from 7 to 14 days depending on technique
  • Compression stockings come off after 14 days unless otherwise advised
  • Bruising fades over 2 to 4 weeks
  • Some patients have transient skin pigmentation along the treated vein, which usually fades over months

Long-haul flights, driving and follow-up

  • Avoid long-haul flights for 2 weeks after any venous procedure
  • Short domestic flights are usually acceptable after 5 to 7 days
  • Most patients can drive after 48 hours if comfortable, off any sedating medication, and able to perform an emergency stop
  • On procedure day, do not drive, arrange a lift home
  • A follow-up appointment with repeat duplex scan is included in every theatre package, typically 6 to 8 weeks after the procedure. Reception books this with you before you leave on procedure day

Section 5

Procedure-specific post-care

EVLA aftercare

  • Compression stockings, continuous for 48 hours, then daytime for 12 to 14 days
  • Walking from the day of the procedure
  • Office work, 24 to 48 hours
  • Gym or heavy exercise, 1 to 2 weeks
  • Bruising and tightness along the treated vein, normal in the first 2 weeks
  • Follow-up duplex scan, 6 to 8 weeks

→ EVLA pre-care

RFA aftercare

Identical to EVLA. Some patients find post-procedure tightness marginally less than EVLA, individual experience varies.

→ RFA pre-care

VenaSeal aftercare

  • Compression stockings are not routinely required, the unique feature of this technique
  • Walking from the day of the procedure
  • Office work, 24 hours
  • Gym or heavy exercise, 1 week
  • Phlebitis-like tenderness over the treated vein can occur in the first 1 to 2 weeks and settles spontaneously
  • Follow-up duplex scan, 6 to 8 weeks

→ VenaSeal pre-care

ClariVein aftercare

  • Compression stockings, 48 hours continuous, then daytime for 2 weeks
  • Walking from the day of the procedure
  • Office work, 24 hours
  • Gym or heavy exercise, 1 to 2 weeks
  • Follow-up duplex scan, 6 to 8 weeks

→ ClariVein pre-care

Foam sclerotherapy aftercare

  • Compression stockings, continuous for 24 to 48 hours then daytime for up to 2 weeks
  • Walking from the day of the procedure
  • Office work, 24 hours
  • Avoid hot baths, saunas and heavy exercise for 1 week
  • Some skin staining at injection sites is common and usually fades over months
  • Follow-up review at 6 weeks for any retouch sessions

→ Foam sclerotherapy pre-care

Phlebectomy aftercare

  • Compression stockings, as for EVLA, 48 hours continuous then 12 to 14 days daytime
  • Small incisions, no stitches usually needed
  • Steri-strips stay on until they fall off naturally (5 to 7 days)
  • Bruising can be more pronounced than EVLA alone, this is normal
  • Walking from the day of the procedure
  • Office work, 24 to 48 hours
  • Gym or heavy exercise, 2 weeks
  • Follow-up, 6 to 8 weeks

→ Phlebectomy pre-care

Microsclerotherapy aftercare (cosmetic)

  • Compression stockings (if recommended) for 5 to 7 days
  • Avoid hot baths, saunas, sunbeds and waxing the treated area for 2 weeks
  • Daily walking helps reduce skin staining
  • Avoid direct sun on the treated area for 4 weeks (use SPF 30+ outdoors)
  • Mild itching and small lumps at injection sites are normal and settle over weeks
  • Follow-up, typically 4 to 6 weeks before any further session

→ Microsclerotherapy pre-care

Section 6

Allied-health pathways

Diabetic Foot Clinic (podiatrist-led)

Before your appointment

  • Bring a list of current medications including insulin doses
  • Bring your most recent HbA1c if you have it
  • Wear shoes you usually wear day-to-day, the podiatrist will examine your footwear
  • Bring socks that go above the ankle for the ABPI / TBI measurement
  • If you have an active foot ulcer, bring all dressings and dressing-change schedules

After your appointment

  • Follow the written management plan you receive
  • Routine dressing changes follow the schedule given to you
  • Inspect your feet daily, use a mirror for the soles
  • Wash daily, dry carefully between toes
  • Moisturise dry skin, but not between toes
  • Wear well-fitting shoes, avoid going barefoot
  • Call us same-day if a new ulcer appears, a wound starts smelling, increasing redness, swelling, or you develop a hot foot

Wound Care Service (TVN-led, with consultant oversight)

Before your appointment

  • Bring all current dressings and dressing schedules
  • Bring a list of antibiotics taken for this wound in the last 6 months
  • Wear loose trousers or a skirt that allows full leg access
  • Bring a photo of the wound on your phone if available, useful for comparison

After your appointment

  • Follow the dressing-change schedule given to you, written and verbal
  • Compression bandaging stays on as instructed, never adjust without instruction
  • Keep the limb elevated when seated
  • Walk daily as advised, immobility delays healing
  • Call us same-day if the wound starts smelling, increases in pain, leaks more than expected, the bandaging slips, or you develop fever, increasing redness or swelling
  • Saturday wound clinic available with same-day consultant phone escalation if needed

Lymphoedema Service (lymphoedema-trained physio)

Before your appointment

  • Wear loose clothing, you will need both limbs accessible for measurement
  • Bring any previous compression garments
  • Bring photos of any cellulitis episodes if you have them

After your appointment

  • Follow the decongestive therapy plan given to you (compression, exercise, skin care, MLD where part of the plan)
  • Daily skin care with low-fragrance moisturiser
  • Avoid injury to the affected limb, no blood pressure cuffs, IV cannulas or blood draws on the affected arm where possible
  • Wear compression garments as instructed
  • Replace garments every 6 months
  • Call us same-day if you develop signs of cellulitis (hot, red, painful, swelling, fever)

Compression Therapy & Stockings (fitter-led)

Before your appointment

  • Wear loose clothing for measurement
  • Take socks off in time for circulation to settle
  • Bring any previous compression garments and a note of how you got on with them

After fitting

  • Wear stockings as instructed, typically all day, off at night
  • Hand-wash in lukewarm water with mild detergent, lay flat to dry
  • Replace every 6 months, elasticity declines over time
  • Call us if you develop new skin irritation, numbness, or colour change in the toes
  • The fitting consultation fee is refunded against a stocking purchase. Ask reception if you need a copy of the receipt

Section 7

Red flag symptoms, call us if you notice these

Most patients have no problems after a vascular procedure. The signs below are uncommon but need a same-day call.

Call 020 8129 1011 same-day if you notice

  • Severe pain not controlled by paracetamol or ibuprofen
  • Increasing redness, heat or swelling beyond what you would expect from bruising
  • A hot, hard, tender lump along a vein
  • Wound discharge, smell, or fever above 38°C
  • Sudden one-sided calf swelling and tightness (possible DVT, treat as urgent)
  • Numbness or weakness in the foot or leg that is new and persistent
  • Any concern about the dressing slipping, bleeding through, or coming off

Call 999 or go to A&E immediately if you have

  • Sudden breathlessness, chest pain, or coughing blood (possible pulmonary embolism)
  • Sudden severe pain in the leg with the leg turning pale or cold (possible arterial event)
  • A sudden problem with vision, speech, or weakness on one side of the body
  • Fainting or feeling about to faint, with chest or back pain

Do not wait for the next working day if any of these happen. Call 999 if it is on the second list. Call us at 020 8129 1011 for the first list, 24 hours a day, reception or the on-call team will guide you.

Section 8

Contact us

Reception (booking, follow-up, questions about your care)

Phone: 020 8129 1011 (Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6pm)

Email: info@konceptmedicalclinic.com

Address: 46-48 Wood Street, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 1UW

Out of hours (urgent concern)

Phone 020 8129 1011 and follow the message.

Or attend your nearest A&E if the symptom is on the red flag list.

Your consultant will respond to clinical questions during clinic hours. Routine questions are best handled by reception in the first instance.

Where to find more information

Use your browser’s print function (Cmd-P or Ctrl-P) to print this whole page for your records. Reception can also email you a PDF version on request.

Any questions, we are here

Call reception with any pre-care or post-care question, or for clarification on anything on this page.

Regulation and standards

KONCEPT® Medical Clinic is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for the regulated activities provided at our Kingston upon Thames premises. All consultants are on the General Medical Council (GMC) Specialist Register for Vascular Surgery and remain personally accountable to the GMC under Good Medical Practice. Allied-health clinicians are registered with their relevant professional bodies (HCPC for podiatrists and physiotherapists, NMC for nurses). Patient instructions on this page are written to be factual and verifiable in line with the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) Code and Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) rules. They are not a substitute for the personalised written plan you receive at your consultation or after your procedure. If your own consultant’s instructions differ from anything on this page, follow your consultant’s instructions. Page last reviewed by Dr Maryam Attarzadeh, Medical Director (GMC 7193218), 2026-05-27. Next review due 2026-11-27. Instructions are re-verified every 6 months, or sooner if clinical pathways change.