Are you sick of those varicose veins bulging from your legs? Not only are they are ugly, but they may even be causing you pain or discomfort. You are not alone. 50% of women and 40% of men have some type of vein abnormality in the United States. That’s over 40 million Americans who have varicose or spider veins.
You may have heard that getting rid of these varicose veins for good might be uncomfortable, time-consuming, or even dangerous. There was a time that that may have been true, but not anymore. There was a time when your only option for vein removal was outpatient vein surgery or vein litigation or stripping, but today there are many less invasive vein removal options. One of these is Ambulatory Phlebectomy.
What is an Ambulatory Phlebectomy Vein Removal?
An in-office procedure where several tiny incisions are made in the skin through which a varicose vein is removed. A Phlebectomy is usually performed in combination with another non-invasive vein removal procedure like laser treatment or sclerotherapy
What Kinds of Veins Does it Work For?
Ambulatory Phlebectomy is perfect for removing large, bulging, very twisted varicose veins on the legs’ surface.
What are the Benefits of Ambulatory Phlebectomy?
Benefits of having an Ambulatory Phlebectomy include:
- It removes unsightly veins.
- Symptoms associated with the varicose vein will disappear.
- The procedure has proven excellent long-term results.
- The incisions are tiny enough that there is no scarring.
What Happens During the Procedure?
During an Ambulatory Phlebectomy, several tiny cuts are made in your skin. The varicose veins are removed through these cuts. The cuts are usually tiny enough that stitches aren’t needed. All of this takes place at your clinic or in your doctor’s office under a local anesthetic.
The in-office procedure involves three steps:
- Remove your clothes, put on a gown, and the surgeon will outline or mark the veins to be treated.
- A local anesthetic is injected into your skin.
- Small incisions are made in the skin, and the bulging veins are surgically removed, segment by segment.
You should not feel any pain during the procedure.
How Long Does the Procedure Take?
An Ambulatory Phlebectomy generally takes 30 minutes to an hour.
How Long is the Recovery Time?
After undergoing the ambulatory phlebectomy procedure, you can go home. There is no need to stay in the hospital overnight. Most patients can return to their normal activities within 24 hours of the procedure.
Mild postoperative pain is not uncommon, and you may also notice some swelling and/or bruising around the incision sites. Relieve the pain by taking a mild pain reliever like Tylenol or ibuprofen.
Your doctor will provide you with a post-surgical plan that will include wearing compression stockings for a period of time.
There’s more good news. Because the procedure entirely removes the affected vein, all of the symptoms associated with varicose veins are immediately eliminated.
How Many Treatments Will I Need?
The number of treatments required depends on your circumstances. During the initial consultation, an ultrasound will be used to map out your varicose veins, and your provider will develop a personalized treatment plan. For most large bulging veins, one treatment is all that is needed.
Will Vein Removal Affect the Blood Supply to My Legs and Feet?
No. Removing varicose veins will not affect the blood supply to your legs or feet. Although you will lack a vein, the blood is “re-directed” and transported through your remaining healthy veins.
Is Ambulatory Phlebectomy Safe?
All surgical procedures carry risk. The risk of complications from an Ambulatory Phlebectomy is small. They include:
- An allergic reaction to the local anesthetic
- Nerve injury
- Inflammation
- Bruising infection
If you experience any of these complications, contact your doctor immediately.
Who is Not a Candidate for an Ambulatory Phlebectomy?
Ambulatory Phlebectomy is safe for most people. However, we advise patients who cannot walk independently or who cannot wear compression stockings not to have the procedure.
Is Vein Stripping the Same As Ambulatory Phlebectomy?
Ambulatory Phlebectomy only targets bulging leg veins. Tiny needle incisions are made in the skin, to remove the veins. This is an entirely different procedure from the traditional “vein stripping.” Vein stripping is a surgical procedure that targets the greater saphenous vein, which is not visible on the skin’s surface.
Are You Ready to Get Rid of Your Varicose Veins? That’s Our Specialty!
Varicose veins were once something that you had to put up with because the vein removal options are costly, painful, and invasive surgeries. But times have changed.
Here at the Vein Treatment Denver, we specialize in diagnosing and treating patients with varicose veins and spider veins for both men and women. Our minimally invasive techniques provide very effective vein treatment for these conditions in a comfortable outpatient office setting and get you back into your everyday routine with minimal downtime.
But before we treat you, we need to make sure we know what we are treating you for. A variety of underlying medical conditions can cause varicose veins so the first thing we’ll do is to set up a consultation with you. During the consultation, Dr. Norton will do a thorough evaluation, including a full medical history and ultrasound. The ultrasound allows her to see what’s going on under your skin so that she can actually map out your varicose veins and determine what is causing them.
After that ultrasound, Dr. Norton will develop an individualized treatment plan that may include more than one vein removal procedure. She will clearly explain your diagnosis and the treatment plan so that you understand what’s going on and what to expect. A member of our staff will then go over your insurance coverage with you. Most insurance companies have a policy for the treatment of varicose veins and require pre-authorization before treatment.
We Can Help!
If you are ready to get rid of your unsightly veins we can help! Contact us today and see how easy it is to remove veins and get great-looking legs again!