Home > Varicose Veins Surgery: Everything You Need to Know
Updated on May 23, 2023 by Dr. Jonathan Arad (Vein Doctor) of Vein Care Center
Varicose veins are the twisted and bulging veins at the legs caused by a damaged vein or vein valve. Most patients think of this only as a cosmetic concern because of its unsightly appearance. But while it’s usually not life-threatening, it can cause discomfort and serious reactions or become a sign of an underlying condition. Patients rely on vascular surgery and other minimally invasive options to resolve varicose.
So what should you know about varicose veins surgery? Varicose veins surgery or varicose vein ligation and stripping and stripping is a minor surgery involving trying the affected vein and removing it from your legs. This procedure is suitable for patients with large varicose veins or needing treatment for chronic venous insufficiency. You can also expect to receive general anesthesia from this surgery.
Varicose vein ligation and stripping is one of the many treatment options for removing the appearance of enlarged veins in the legs. Among the many solutions for treating varicose veins, this procedure is the most invasive. So before considering vascular surgery, you may want to learn more about what it is, when to have it, and how successful it is. You may also consult a vein specialist at the Vein Care Center.
Vascular surgery for varicose veins or vein ligation and stripping is a minor surgery for tying or removing enlarged and damaged veins. It involves creating incisions to tie off the affected vein and strip it off or remove it from your legs. This procedure aims to block blood flow and have them rerouted to other healthier veins, resolving varicose veins and their concurrent symptoms.
Patients can choose from many treatment options for resolving varicose veins, but they might want to consult a vein specialist to receive the best suggestion. These procedures may vary depending on the severity of your condition and your preference. Vein ligation and stripping is suitable for patients with severe varicose veins.
Patients with larger varicose veins than usual also experience several side effects, like:
Those experiencing these symptoms, even if they have small to medium varicose veins, may also be candidates for vein surgery. If your main goal for removing bulging veins is cosmetic reasons, you may also consider this solution. But it’s important to note that this varicose vein treatment may leave scars.
So if you want to reduce the appearance of unsightly veins in your legs for cosmetic reasons, you may want to consider minimally invasive treatment options first. Consulting a specialist at the Vein Care Center can also help you receive an assessment of your varicose veins and the best procedure for them.
Varicose vein ligation and stripping is a recommended treatment option for patients with chronic venous insufficiency. This involves blood pooling in the legs due to a blood clot, a condition called deep vein thrombosis or DVT.
You may want to know the procedure of varicose vein ligation and stripping if you’re considering having this treatment. Learn more about its preparation and treatment procedure. You might also want to find out how the treatment area looks before and after.
Varicose veins surgery involving ligation and stripping is an outpatient procedure. You can go home the same day of the surgery, but some healthcare providers suggest going home the following day. This is because you’ll receive general anesthesia, and it may take time to wear off. Having this varicose vein treatment starts with initial consultations, laboratory, and imagining tests to confirm your candidacy for the surgery.
You’ll be reminded to prepare by:
Varicose vein ligation and stripping is performed by a vascular surgeon. It usually takes around 1 to 3 hours or longer, depending on how complicated your condition is.
You can expect your procedure to go as follows:
While varicose vein ligation and stripping is considered minor surgery, it’s still an invasive procedure compared to other treatment options. You can expect more aftercare steps to ensure a smooth and safe recovery.
Recovery from varicose vein ligation and stripping takes around 2 to 4 weeks, but this duration will still depend on the location and number of veins removed from the treatment area.
To ensure a safe and comfortable recovery, you’ll be advised to:
Vascular surgery for removing varicose veins is usually a low-risk treatment, but it also comes with some risks, like many surgical options. That’s why patients must seek a reliable healthcare provider to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the treatment.
These risks include:
Receiving thorough consultations, tests, and assessments from your healthcare provider reduces your risks of experiencing serious reactions. They will also do post-treatment check-ups to oversee your recovery.
Minimally invasive treatment options for removing varicose veins are available, with minimal side effects and downtime than vein surgery. Each solution may be more suitable for you, depending on its severity and your preference.
The Vein Care Center is one of the best clinics for removing varicose veins and promoting long-term relief from their symptoms. We’re equipped with the best board-certified professionals committed to providing a safe and effective procedure.
| Varicose Vein Treatment | How It Works |
| Sclerotherapy | A solution will be injected into the affected vein to close it by scarring. Local tissues will absorb it, and the blood will reroute to a healthy vein. |
| Endoluminal Laser Ablation of the Greater Saphenous Vein | Heat will be applied to the affected vein via an inserted fiber to contract its linings, closing it up and allowing the blood to reroute to a healthy vein. |
| Micro-Phlebectomy | Small incisions will be made on the treatment area to remove the affected vein under the skin. This will also reroute the blood to a healthy vein. |
These are some of the interventional procedures at the Vein Care Center. We will also instruct patients to wear compression garments to manage their varicose veins after these treatments. It’s also a recommended prevention of these bulging veins.
Other varicose vein solutions are also available, aside from the treatments we offer at the Vein Care Center. These solutions may be similar to our procedures, with only a few differences. These are:
| Varicose Vein Treatment | How It Works |
| Endovenous Radiofrequency Ablation | Radiofrequency energy will be targeted to your veins via a catheter to apply heat and close the veins. The blood will flow to a healthier vein. |
| Laser Treatment | Heat will be applied outside the skin to reduce the appearance of small varicose veins and spider veins. |
Vein ligation and stripping is a minor surgery for resolving varicose veins, but it’s more suitable for severe cases. It involves creating incisions onto the skin to access the damaged vein. This vein will be tied and removed, allowing the blood flow to circulate through a healthier vein. Vascular surgery may leave scars, require longer downtime, and have more side effects than other treatment options, so consult with a specialist for the best solution.
Vein Care Center is one of the most reputable clinics with a variety of minimally invasive treatment options for varicose veins. We provide you with the safest and most effective solutions possible. Under the care of board-certified specialists, you can expect only the best-customized treatment plans for your specific vein-related concerns. Get started on getting your varicose veins treated today and book an appointment with us.
Dr. Jonathan Arad has either authored or reviewed and approved this content.