Varicose veins are those unwanted veins that bulge out from underneath the skin. These are commonly found in the legs and feet, and while they can sometimes be innocuous, other times they can be a source of pain and discomfort. If you have these veins, especially if they are causing you discomfort, you might expect that a vein surgery procedure is in order. Here at United Vein & Vascular Centers, we try to emphasize that most cases can be treated through minimally invasive procedures that are far less intimidating than traditional surgery. You may be surprised at the simplicity of your options. Regardless, though, it’s important that you go into your procedure prepared, and we’d like to help you understand what to expect when going in for treatment. If you’re in need of treatment from a varicose veins doctor, you can locate us around the nation in cities such as Chicago, Tampa, and West Palm Beach, among others. Check our website for more locations.
How to Prepare for Vein Surgery and Treatment
Regardless of what kind of treatment you’re receiving from your varicose veins doctor, there are a few consistent things you can do when going into your procedure to make the procedure as easy as possible. First, when you have your consultation, you’ll be prescribed compression stockings. These are tight as they’re designed to support the blood flow in your legs. We recommend that you break them in to make them a bit more comfortable by wearing them before your treatment. Additionally, you’ll want to bring them with you when you go in for treatment as you’ll need to wear them after the procedure. To make this as comfortable as possible, it’s recommended to wear loose clothing.
As for the procedure itself, it will be done under general anesthetic, and thus you’ll be conscious during treatment. There should be no discomfort during the procedure, but to help keep you comfortable for the duration of the treatment, we recommend bringing headphones and something to listen to. This could be music, an audiobook, a podcast, or anything to help keep you entertained while your doctor is at work.
Types of Treatment Options
We mentioned previously that treatment is minimally invasive in most cases these days. Outside of extreme circumstances, actual surgery is avoided. The actual procedure used differs slightly depending on the varicose veins’ size and location, but the general concepts are similar. In any case, you will receive general anesthesia so that there is minimal discomfort during the procedure. The process of sclerotherapy and radiofrequency laser ablation both are about creating a scar in the afflicted vein that forces it to close. The body will respond by directing blood flow into healthy veins and absorbing the scarred varicose vein over time. If the vein is very close to the surface of the skin, a microphlebectomy can be performed instead. This is a procedure in which the vein is easily removed through a small nick in the skin. All of these procedures are relatively quick–taking no longer than an hour, if even, in most cases.
Looking for a Varicose Veins Doctor? Let Us Help
Whether you’re in need of a minimally invasive procedure for your veins, or if you are in need of a more serious vein surgery, United Vein & Vascular Centers can be there to provide the assistance you need with the help of our board-certified physicians. Contact us through any of our locations, whether that be in Arizona, Colorado, Chicago, or elsewhere.