Vascular surgery, just like many other medical surgical specialties, has come a long way over the years. Many procedures that used to require invasive surgery and a lengthy recovery are now performed minimally invasively with little or no downtime and no hospital stay.
Lam Vascular & Associates specializes in the treatment of peripheral artery disease. As peripheral artery diseases become increasingly common, vascular surgeons such as Dr. Russell Lam and Dr. Cassidy Duran are seeking new, less invasive and more effective ways to treat patients with PAD.
Minimally-Invasive Options for Treating PAD
Most doctors who specialize in vascular disease use balloon expansion (angioplasty and stenting) as the principal therapy in treating lower-extremity PAD. However, Lam Vascular & Associates offers a viable alternative to more traditional treatment methods: laser atherectomy.
Laser atherectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that is performed in-office and generally does not involve hospital stay. Since only local anesthesia and a mild sedative are used, recovery time is minimal. Due to the precision of laser technology, the procedure is for most, very effective in reopening the arteries to stimulate long-term, healthy blood flow.
Regardless of which procedure you undergo to address your vascular issue, you will play a key role in your own recovery. It is important to understand and follow your doctor’s instructions to help ensure a positive outcome.
Get Active as Soon as You are Able
It is important to resume a reasonable amount of activity as soon as possible. Most recovery occurs within the first several weeks after surgery and your active participation is a key component in having a good outcome. To do this, work with your physical therapist to improve your activity and function level.
Make the Necessary Lifestyle Changes
The most important part of your recovery is your participation as an active team member in your own care. This means adjusting your lifestyle, possibly to avoid some activities you may have been doing prior to your procedure.
If you were a smoker prior to your procedure, the most important change you can make is to stop smoking. Get whatever support you need to help you kick the habit. You will live longer, reduce your risk of developing cancer and reduce the risk of your vascular disease recurring.
Dietary changes and getting regular exercise also are important parts of the recovery process. A physical therapist can help direct your exercise program. Or, you can plan your own regular physical activity. It’s an important part of your overall health maintenance and will help improve your outcome after surgery.
Your healthcare team will also likely offer dietary guidelines. You can reduce your risk of high blood pressure and recurrence of your vascular disease by limiting the salt and fatty foods you eat.
Have questions? Contact our office today.
The information contained in this article is not intended to be used as a substitute for medical advice. Patient results will vary based on risk factors, age, disease and medical history and are not guaranteed in any way.
