Femoral Artery Bypass Surgery in Villach

The procedure is performed under general anesthetic (you are asleep during the operation) or local anesthetic. Your surgeon makes a large incision in the upper leg to access the femoral artery. Then, the graft (a vein taken from another area in the leg or a man-made graft) is attached below and above the diseased artery. Your blood is rerouted around the blockage through the graft.

You may need to stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) for a day or two and then moved to a regular hospital room for a few more days, usually around 4 to 5 days. Plan to stay in Villach for 14 additional days after you are discharged as you need to attend follow-up checkups where your surgeon will monitor your condition and remove the stitches. Sometimes, you need to also go to a rehab facility to help regain movement and strength. 

Allow three to four weeks off from work to recover, but avoid any strenuous activities, such as intense exercises and heavy lifting until your surgeon allows it. The total recovery period may take several months.

Your surgeon will likely give you detailed instructions on how to care for yourself at home, including dietary restrictions, exercises, and wound care. Walking is important during your early recovery periods to help reduce swelling and improve blood flow. You may need to undergo physiotherapy treatments to help you ease into walking and moving. After you have fully recovered, maintain a regular exercise and a healthy diet to prevent excessive strain on the leg arteries from weight gain. 

If the blockage is not as severe or threatening, you can undergo an alternative instead, which are endarterectomy and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, which are minimally invasive and offer shorter recovery time.