Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are gnarled and enlarged veins which become ‘twisted’. Any vein can become a varicose vein, but the veins in the feet and legs are more prone to being affected by this condition. The reason behind this is because when you stand and walk, this increases the pressure in the veins of these areas. The exact cause of varicose veins isn’t clear, but hereditary factors play a key role, as well as female hormones, injury, pregnancy, prolonged standing and obesity.

For some people, varicose veins are not only an esthetic problem, but are also a health issue, since these veins can cause pain and discomfort, which can sometimes lead to other more serious circulatory problems. For this very reason, some doctors offer their clients several options when it comes to treating this vascular problem.

Varicose veins differ from spider veins since they are larger, tend to bulge and are darker in color. Many specialists offer sclerotherapy services to treat varicose veins however, he knows very well that surgical treatment is sometimes necessary to solve this condition.

Before The Treatment

Before you submit yourself for surgical treatment of your varicose vein, the doctor will need to evaluate you in order to make sure that all potential issues have been brought to the surface. Patients should consider surgical treatment when the veins commence to cause discomfort and pain, and especially when self-help procedures have not rendered any results.

You must keep in mind that, even though varicose veins can be removed surgically, this disorder cannot be completely cured. Treatment usually relieves the pain, enhances your appearance and prevents any further circulatory complications. By elevating your legs while you sit, you can prevent further varicose veins from forming, but this doesn’t mean that they will not appear in the future.

Having a good communication with your doctor at all times will help increase your level of satisfaction, therefore, please do not hesitate to contact us concerning any questions you might have beforehand. We are always more than happy to help you.

Procedure Planning

As with every other procedure, it requires that patients have a detailed discussion with their doctor before the procedure is performed. By doing so, both parties have the opportunity to contribute in the whole process and to increase the client’s level of satisfaction. When speaking with your physician, please feel free to talk openly and to express your doubts as well as your expectations. Your doctor will help determine what isn’t or what is possible to accomplish, helping you to improve your looks in the best way possible.

In this initial discussion, your doctor will explain all that the procedure implies, from where it will be performed, the cost of the treatment, the risks it may entail, the recovery process and every other detail so that you are completely informed. All the different aspects of the treatment you are willing to undertake must be extremely clear to you.

Your physician will also inform you if you need to refrain from applying moisturizer, oil or sunblock on your legs before your operation. You must also remember that, for a few weeks after the treatment, your legs will probably be discolored and slightly bruised, so you probably won’t feel comfortable exposing your legs.

Make sure to ask your doctor concerning the diverse details that the procedure entails. For example, you should know if you should stop taking certain medications or if you will need to refrain from drinking or eating for a certain time period before your procedure.

The Procedure

Surgery

The objective of this procedure is to remove as many of the problematic veins as possible and is performed under general anesthesia. At all moments, the doctor will maintain the ‘deep veins’ intact, since any change in these veins can cause serious circulatory problems, especially the saphenous vein (which runs the groin to the ankle).

The doctor will make incisions in the problem areas in other to remove the varicose veins. Since these are superficial veins, they can be removed without complication; they do not have a significant role in returning blood to the heart and taking them out does not affect the circulation of the leg at all.

This procedure can take up a few hours, since it is tedious and precise. By removing the problematic veins, the pain and discomfort the patient was experiencing disappears; however, this surgery does leave scars, so you most keep this in mind. Also, the more widespread and detailed the procedure, the more time it will take for new varicose veins to surface.

Laser therapy

This newly developed treatment is being experimented with by some of the most experienced surgeons in the removal of varicose veins and only highly skilled physicians offer it. The objective of this procedure is to concentrate a continuous stream of high-intensity light to destroy or cut tissue.

After The Procedure

It is natural for you to experience some pain and discomfort after the treatment, as well as some bruising and swelling. This will probably persists for at least two weeks and it is recommended for you to use cold compresses to lessen your discomfort. the doctor can also prescribe some painkillers so that your recovery period goes by more smoothly.

Also, you will have to refrain from making any strenuous exercise for at least a few weeks after to your treatment, such as jogging or gym work. Exercise increases the blood flow to your legs and may hamper the effects of your treatment.

Depending on the procedure you have been submitted to, the doctor will give you detailed instructions as to the do’s and don’t of your recovery period.

Health Issues

In very rare cases, patients who have submitted themselves to a varicose vein treatment can suffer from severe inflammation, bleeding, ulceration of the skin, deep vein blood clotting and pigmentation irregularity.

Make sure to ask your doctor concerning any risks you might have to face when undertaking this treatment. However, you must keep in mind that the doctor works full-time to prevent such scenarios from happening, since he values the health of his patients above anything else.