vein questions

Varicose Vein FAQs

Will I feel any pain with the treatment(s)?
Sclerotherapy uses a small needle to inject a solution into diseased veins. Laser uses energy from concentrated light beams to destroy diseased veins. Some patients are not bothered at all by these treatments. Most find them slightly uncomfortable but not really painful. Very sensitive patients can be helped with pretreatment medication but this is rarely necessary.

Are these veins necessary for my circulation and where does the blood go?
Spider veins develop from tiny veins that are not important to your circulation. Varicose veins are larger veins that are part of the superficial venous system. When functioning normally, the entire system of superficial veins returns less than 10% of the blood flow from the legs. But varicose veins are not normal veins. They are diseased vessels that allow blood to move backwards. This interferes with normal circulation and forces normal veins to work harder since it is the normal veins that will eventually have to pump the backwards flowing blood back up again. Eliminating the diseased veins is good for your circulation and reduces the workload for normal veins. When varicose veins are eliminated, patients often notice that their legs feel better and less tired.

Will my varicose veins come back?
Microsurgical procedures remove varicose veins permanently while sclerotherapy and laser treatments destroy the veins so they will not return once sclerosis is complete. However, no treatment can guarantee completely against any possibility that new veins may form. Some patients are at higher risk and some are at lower risk for developing future veins. Your own situation will be discussed once a thorough examination has been performed at our clinic.

How do I start treatment?
During the initial consultation with us, your legs will be examined, any questions you have will be answered, and an individualized treatment plan will be developed. You are encouraged to discuss your expectations and anticipated results at the time of this visit. An estimation of the type and cost of your treatment will be also provided to you at this time.

How long will treatment take?
Treatment sessions for spider veins and small varicose veins are usually about 30 minutes. The number of sessions varies depending on the severity of your condition and your individual response to treatment. A typical patient will need three to five treatments for significant improvement of spider veins. Treatment of large, bulging varicose veins usually takes 2 to 3 treatment sessions. Sessions are typically scheduled about four weeks apart. These are only guidelines and your individual case may be different. Microsurgical or laser treatment for underlying vein disease may require a treatment session lasting 2 to 3 hours. Microsurgery and surgical laser treatments are routinely performed in the office with mild sedation. Patients are never completely unconscious, but they are very relaxed and sometimes nap while the procedures are being performed. The time goes by quickly!

Will my activities be restricted in any way?
Swimming and highly strenuous activity, such as weight-lifting or high impact aerobics, will need to be limited for about a week. Otherwise, there are no restrictions following surgical treatment. In fact, regular activity and exercise are encouraged on the day of treatment even for patients treated by microsurgery or surgical laser. Patients treated for spider veins may return immediately to normal activity except highly strenuous exercise, suntanning, or use of hot tubs for one week. Most surgical patients return to normal work and home activity the very next day, although some patients may elect to take off a few days from work if it is convenient. Surgical patients who work at extremely strenuous or hazardous jobs or jobs in a very dirty work environment may need to have modified duty or take a few days off from work.