Not only at skin and veins many people prefer to be operated in winter, also at uncomplicated hernias, gallstones or hemorrhoids some would prefer to take a time-out in the hospital in the cold season. Nowadays, a surgery that can be planned should of course not only fit into the appointment calendar, but often also shows the personal preferences of the surgery candidate with regard to the time of year.
Advantages of surgery in winter
Many patients choose winter to remove their gallbladder, hernia, varicose veins or hemorrhoids. The reasons are, on the one hand, not to miss the few beautiful days of the year that the summer offers, and on the other hand, people have the idea that wounds close more poorly in the heat and under sweating attacks and are more likely to become inflamed. Although this is not the case in our latitudes, winter does have its advantages from a medical point of view – at least for some procedures such as skin or vein operations, for general skin examinations and for elderly patients with cardiovascular problems. An American study showed that laser treatments on the cornea of the eye were more successful in winter: Patients needed follow-up treatment much less often. The reason for this was that the dry winter climate had a direct effect on the condition of the cornea and the lasers were able to work better with the “winter cornea.” Correction of the lasers resulted in the surgical results of summer and winter becoming similar.
Skin heals better without sun exposure
Age spots, small warts, or a hematoma (angioma) on the face, décolleté, or hands are removed by a dermatologist with a laser. Usually, only one treatment is needed, but in the case of angioma, several sessions may be required until it disappears. Laser treatment creates a superficial wound of the top layer of skin that heals without scarring. Flawless wound healing is supported by not exposing the treated skin to the sun: Otherwise, there is a risk of increased pigmentation of the newly formed skin. Since sunlight is generally less intense in winter, it is advisable to have these minor skin operations performed between December and February. Additionally, help your skin with a good sunscreen on the exposed skin areas. The same procedure is used for acne treatment; however, other procedures are used there in addition to laser.
Time for a skin check
Because the skin is usually much less tanned in winter than in summer, moles and skin lesions stand out better against the skin and can be more easily assessed by a dermatologist. Make an appointment with your dermatologist – so you can then start the summer with peace of mind.
Wrapping veins is easier now
Fall and winter are classic times for vein surgery. The same goes for treatments like:
- Sclerotherapy
- Injections
- Laser therapy
- Radio wave therapy
After a treatment, the legs are either tightly wrapped or compression stockings for several weeks. Both are easier to hide under long pants in winter – and you sweat less with this involuntary tights replacement when it’s cold outside.
No circulation worries in winter
Especially older patients with an attacked cardiovascular system, e.g. coronary heart disease or high blood pressure, are troubled by the hot summer temperatures. They are frightened by the idea of being exposed to the additional physical strain that every operation represents. The fact that weather constellations can have both a positive and a negative effect on treatment is easy to understand and makes it understandable why older people prefer to have surgery in the winter.
Planning surgery
Ask your doctor if the surgery you are scheduled to have can be postponed until fall or winter. Schedule an appointment with the appropriate facility well in advance; if you don’t call until winter, they may not be able to accommodate you. It is high time for skin treatments now, because from April onwards sun exposure increases again and the skin needs several weeks to heal completely.If you can’t put off an elective procedure until next winter, take comfort in the fact that hospitals are now very much air-conditioned even in the summer months, you won’t have to sweat unduly there, and that by quickly correcting your condition that needs treatment, the likelihood of an unforeseen complication is greatly reduced.
