Vascular Surgeon / Phlebologist Consultation

A vascular surgeon's consultation is somewhat different from, say, a general practitioner's examination.

The doctor's examination will always include an objective and instrumental assessment of the condition of your leg vessels. So be prepared for the doctor to ask you to undress — exposing your legs fully from the toes to the groin. Wear clothing that is easy to take off and put back on.

The ultrasound examination also involves applying gel to the leg — so if you shaved, had laser hair removal, or got a tattoo the day before, you may feel some discomfort during the procedure; it's better to reschedule such procedures for another day.

Sports or other physical activity in no way affect the quality of the diagnostics, so there are no restrictions there.

Diet generally doesn't matter, unlike some other examinations and ultrasounds. The exception is patients undergoing an abdominal vessel ultrasound (e.g., of the abdominal aorta) — in that case it's better to avoid, the evening before, anything that could cause bloating.

Your physical condition matters — if you had an episode of high blood pressure, dizziness, or another reason it's difficult for you to stand for a long time before your visit, let the assistant or doctor know, since the first stage of the ultrasound scan is performed while standing (for a better and more accurate view of the veins and their valves).

If you have trophic skin changes, don't apply any skincare products on the day of your visit — just a regular bandage — and better yet, bring a written list of the products you use (or a photo). This makes it much easier for the doctor to adjust prescriptions, since terms like "red pill" or "white powder" are far too broad and can describe medications with completely different pharmacological effects.

Ask the doctor all the questions that concern you during the appointment, including anything unclear you found online. We recommend writing them down beforehand.