So you’re thinking about varicose veins treatment? You’re not alone!
More than 40 million Americans have varicose veins. It’s such a problem that there are now multiple ways to manage, treat, and even remove varicose veins. Options have evolved from in-hospital surgery to minimally invasive outpatient procedures. There are also proven ways to manage your varicose veins at home.
So, if your question is, “when should I consider varicose veins surgery?” the answer is: There are other treatment options you should consider before you jump into getting surgery for varicose veins.
Having Options is Good
There are plenty of options for you to consider if you want to manage your varicose vein symptoms or have them removed altogether. We’ll start with the non-invasive option and end with the major one.
1 Home care.
Taking steps at home is the least invasive way to manage your symptoms and prevent more varicose veins from popping up. However, the veins will not go away, and their appearance will remain the same. This option is best for people who
- are not concerned with the appearance of their varicose veins
- do not suffer from symptoms like swelling or discomfort
- do not have an underlying condition that may cause more serious health issues.
2 Non-invasive or minimally invasive treatments and procedures.
This option includes a variety of in-office procedures during which your medical practitioner can remove veins quickly and safely. These procedures generally need very little, if any, recovery time. The option is best for people who
- have had little to no success taking general measures
- suffer painful symptoms
- are sick of looking at the varicose veins
- have complications.
These types of procedures not only close off the veins and make them disappear; they also help prevent future varicose veins from appearing. If you’re willing to tolerate some temporary discomfort for long-lasting results, then this option is for you.
3 Varicose veins surgery.
Vein stripping or litigation are major surgeries that can be painful and require significant recovery time and even an overnight stay at a hospital. This option is best for people who have huge varicose veins or an underlying condition that could lead to other, more serious problems such as deep vein thrombosis or stroke.
How Do I Decide Which Varicose Veins Treatment Option is Best for Me?
The route you take will depend on
- how severe your varicose vein condition is
- what you’re willing to tolerate
- what doesn’t work for your individual situation.
Can you tolerate how they look?
Varicose veins are twisted, enlarged veins close to the surface of the skin. They usually appear on your legs or above your ankles, so they can be a major deterrent to wearing shorts, dresses, and swimwear.
Can you manage the symptoms?
Varicose vein symptoms can vary from mild to severe. These may include:
- Itching
- Burning
- Aches
- Muscle Fatigue
- Cramping
- Restless Leg Syndrome
- Leg Heaviness
How severe are your veins?
Not getting treatment for varicose veins can lead to bigger problems in the future, including blood clots and spontaneous bleeding from the vein. Consulting with a vein specialist will give you a better idea if this is a concern for you.
How does the size of my varicose veins fit into the picture?
First off, if you have large bulging veins, you’re probably reading this because they’re painful and ugly, and you want them to go away. On the other hand, smaller veins may be more tolerable, so you’re willing to manage them at home.
Larger veins often require surgery, but can also be treated with radiofrequency closure or endovenous laser treatment. Small to medium-sized varicose veins are much easier to treat and can be removed with sclerotherapy or external laser treatment.
Myth Busters About Varicose Veins Treatment
Let’s break down some myths and concerns that surround minimally invasive varicose vein treatments.
I’m going to have to go to the hospital. Nope! Varicose veins surgery does occasionally require hospitalization, but varicose vein treatments are done in-office and require little to no downtime.
If I get my varicose veins removed, I’ll have to take a long time off work. Nope! Most treatments only take a couple of days downtime, so you could have a treatment session on Friday and be back to work on Monday!
I’m going to have to stay in bed or be a couch potato during recovery. Nope! Non-invasive and minimally invasive varicose vein treatments require no bed rest. You may feel some discomfort or need to take it easy for a few days, but it will not knock you off your feet.
These procedures are risky! Nope! All of the treatment procedures we have listed in this article have good safety records. They’re performed in a doctor’s office or a vein center and only use local anesthesia, so the risks of being put under are nil. The most common risk – risk of infection at the catheter or needle insertion point – can be minimized with careful skin cleaning and sterilization.
And Yet More Myths…
Having varicose vein treatments is only for women! Nope! Men have all kinds of reasons for having varicose veins treated, and these procedures work the same for men as they do for women.
The procedure will be long and painful! Nope! The procedure will only take 30-60 minutes, depending on which one is performed and how much area there is to cover. However, you will likely need to return 2-4 times for best results.
This is vein “stripping”! Nope! As we covered above, these minimally invasive techniques are not vein stripping. Vein stripping is a surgical procedure that is rarely performed anymore because varicose vein treatments are simple and effective.
My insurance won’t cover it. Not necessarily! Whether or not your insurance will cover it depends on several factors. Talk with your insurance provider, or better yet, find a vein center that will help you work out the costs.
Inexperienced techs do these treatments. Nope! These treatments are performed by medical practitioners who have been trained to perform the particular procedure they’re giving you.
We’ve Got it All Under One Roof!
If you’ve decided that you want to avoid varicose vein surgery but want to have treatment to remove them, contact us for a consultation! Denver Vein Treatment Center specializes in minimally invasive varicose vein treatments, so we can take care of you from your first consultation through your final post-treatment care visit!