AIBU to get foam and laser treatment for varicose veins?

[scotchbonnet91]

I am 44 and have really bad varicose veins. They are really ugly but don’t cause me much bother apart from the superficial element.

I had a stripping procedure on the NHS around 11 years ago but they came back within a few years.

every time I wear shorter trousers or when I exercise, people staring at my awful legs is all I can think about.

I have been to a private consultation and they have recommended foam and laser treatment. It’s very expensive, pretty much £4k for both legs.

has anyone had the treatment with any advice at all please? Is it worth it? Thank you so much in advance.

Yes, really pleased I did it - it wasn't till I had it done that I realised how much I'd been hiding my legs. Mine were fairly far gone on one leg so that leg took quite a while to feel normal again afterwards. The other leg was fine. I got a two for one offer which saved a lot of money at Veincentre. You can't fly long haul or sit still for long periods for a bit of time afterwards - but they give you all the care details.

Thank you so much! This is really helpful, so glad you saw great results.

Hello OP, mine were awful too. Had them removed approx 10 years ago. Paid £14,000 in total for a lot of work. They looked better for a year. Not great, just better than before. Still unsightly.

New ones are beginning to appear. I won’t bother again. A lot of money for not a perfect result.

Different people have different results. I suppose it depends how bad they were initially.

I’ve had both legs done this year - 4 treatments in total and I’ll likely need top ups in 6 months or so. Mine weren’t very visible but the entire vein system had collapsed due to a congenital issue. (I had issues at 19 and then pregnancy just sent the whole lot out.)

Each treatment felt different. I have an incredibly high pain threshold so had no issues with the treatment being given. Have had discomfort afterwards but not persistently. I have some patches of discolouration and the veins feel hard and knotty, but that’s usual.

I had a lot of bandages and had to wear full length compression stockings for at least 3 weeks after each treatment, including in the shower and in bed. I absolutely wouldn’t want to be doing that over the summer.

Thank you so much for this insight! I also have thread veins and discolouration now so nothing to say I would want to show off my legs when bulging veins are gone as it won’t fix everything.

Thank you! Can I ask if your have this on NHS or private? was just wondering if the six month top up would be included in cost if private. Thank you also for the advice about the bandages in summer, I was thinking I would be roasting!

I had EVLT on mine a few years ago. Best thing ever and they've not come back. I used Benenden Health care.

I had mine done , it was probably about 3.5k after adding in some top up sessions of foam after the laser on both legs. It lasted maybe 2years before they returned in different veins, just as bad if not worse.
Not all veins can be treated with laser apparently so the new ones need surgical stripping. But it was amazing for the short time after it was done, felt like a new woman.

Thank you! So glad it worked out so well for you!

Thank you so much. Your feedback is exactly what I want to hear as it is a lot of money for a potentially temporary fix. But really glad you had two years vein free

Can’t get anything on the NHS where I live!

I have PMI through work which covers one claim for each leg plus a top up within 12 months if needed.

I had mine done on the nhs about 20 years ago and they were better for about ten years but are now back as unsightly as ever just on a different part of my leg. I wouldn’t bother again unless they got painful. I don’t think the nhs does it anymore.

I recommend Mr Telgenkamp if you’re near Epsom or the South Coast. Cheaper than you’ve been quoted and really good.

Went to the Veincentre, had laser and sclerotherapy a few months afterwards. So pleased I had it done, the horrible permanent aching gone. Am aware they could come back as the condition can be hereditary, both my parents had them. I had a huge bulge behind one knee, had n idea it was a bulging vein.

Thank you, this sounds exactly like me. Hereditary and also prominent behind the vein! I know everyone is different but this is very helpful