I took my stockings off!

It was fantastic to take my compression stockings off yesterday morning. As the first two pictures show (on the brown rug), my large varicose vein is still visible on the inside part of my leg. There is a slightly swollen red patch above my knee where the vein stuck out the most. If I would not have had errands to run yesterday morning, I probably would have stayed in the shower all day just so I didn't have to put my stockings back on. I waited until noon before I took any pain medication.

The picture on the right (green background) was taken this morning. The bruising became quite yellow since yesterday morning. I was able to sleep without my stockings last night. I waited until 7 pm to take any pain medication today. The pain today is quite different from the pain on Tuesday and Wednesday. My ankle and knee feel painfully swollen, but no swelling is visible (maybe because my stocking is restricting some it).

I am embarrassed of how white my legs look in these pictures. My doctor advised against tanning (or any sun exposure) one month before and after the procedures. I don't fully understand the month before. The no-sun one month after has something to how the sun can discolor the veins as they are closing. I'll ask for a better an explanation when I go in for the next procedure. In two weeks when I no longer have to wear my stockings during the day I plan to get a spray tan.

If my leg still feels swollen and if the stop above my knee if still red in the morning, I plan to call the doctor. My postoperative instructions say to call the doctor if I experience any of the following symptoms: redness, warmth, pain, swelling, temperature of 101 or higher, or abnormal drainage.

On Sunday nights I normally get sad when a new episode of Entourage is over. I am excited for it to be over tonight because it means time to take my stocking off again for bed.