Varicose vain surgery

SueSaid · 26/02/2022 14:15

They don't tend to do surgery these days, it's generally a 20min procedure called radio frequency ablation or foam sclerotherapy. No GA, performed in a day unit or radiology department.

May be done on the NHS if you fulfil ccg criteria such as bleeding, skin ulcers and the use of compression stockings or about 2 or 3k privately.

Original poster

littlebilliie · 26/02/2022 14:42

@JaniieJones

They don't tend to do surgery these days, it's generally a 20min procedure called radio frequency ablation or foam sclerotherapy. No GA, performed in a day unit or radiology department.

May be done on the NHS if you fulfil ccg criteria such as bleeding, skin ulcers and the use of compression stockings or about 2 or 3k privately.

I'm thinking about going privately before they get worse

OP posts:

SueSaid · 26/02/2022 15:16

Do it! It's a minor procedure without any downtime. I had mine ablated and wish I'd done it sooner. I love having shorts on in the summer again without an unsightly bulging vein.

danni0509 · 26/02/2022 15:26

I had radio frequency ablation 7 years ago, when I was 25. On the nhs.

I only had 1 leg done though (the other one is bad but not bad ‘enough’) I’ve been planning on paying private for years for the other leg but never got around to it, I was in for about 3 or 4 hours and went home alone by bus.

It was miraculous! I’ve since gained 5 stone and a few have come back through but the leg was such a mess (hereditary unfortunately) it’s still a million times better than it was.

I do plan to have the other done eventually.

You won’t regret it!

oviraptor21 · 26/02/2022 15:29

I'm guessing the ablation would just sort out the bulgy veins. What happens to all the thread veins and associated bruising?

coodawoodashooda · 26/02/2022 15:31

I would like to do this.

3teens2cats · 26/02/2022 15:50

I had one leg done on the nhs 10 years ago. My gp had to fight for it even back then. I had an incision in my groin and then various small nicks along the path of the vein. I should have gone home the same day but had a bit of a funny turn so got kept in overnight. Walking was painful for the first day or so and I had to elevate my legs when resting but I recovered quite quickly. Had to wear compression stocking for quite a while but I was quite used to wearing those anyway. You are advised to keep moving and walk lots as soon as you feel able. I was fit enough to go back to work after 2 weeks easily. I am pleased i had it done and still pleased 10 years later.

3teens2cats · 26/02/2022 15:51

Forgot to say I had surgery to remove the vein rather than ablation.

LetsGoCrazyPurpleBanana · 26/02/2022 16:05

Mine are terrible at the moment. Keep getting bouts of phlebitis and they really hurt :(

Bessiebigpants · 26/02/2022 17:07

I had mine done 12 years ago surgical stripping it failed and my leg was actually worse than when I started
I had it repeated by stripping and ablation plus I had hideous veins in my uterus which they put coils in and my leg is fab now Recovered really well after the second day and day 10 Iran a 10 k race I hated my leg before it was really distressing and I know I’m vain but made me feel old! I really wish I had it done sooner as the aches were really bad

danni0509 · 26/02/2022 17:29

@LetsGoCrazyPurpleBanana

Mine are terrible at the moment. Keep getting bouts of phlebitis and they really hurt :(

It was because of phlebitis I got referred for it and had it done on the NHS. It’s worth a try. I know the nhs is pretty dire at the moment but the worst they can say is no!

3teens2cats · 26/02/2022 18:11

I used to get painful phlebitis too which was awful during pregnancy

Original poster

littlebilliie · 26/02/2022 21:24

@3teens2cats

I used to get painful phlebitis too which was awful during pregnancy

I've got that right now and and I'm agony as I am not allowed ibruprofen.

Any phlebitis advice very very welcome as I am feeling very sorry for myself.

OP posts:

Elphame · 26/02/2022 22:19

Phlebitis is miserable. That's what sent me to have mine done 2 years ago.

Worth every penny. I had endovenous laser treatment which was all done under local anaesthetic and was done before I realised he'd even started! As I was paying I also had the unsightly surface vein removed at the same time. There was a 50:50 chance they'd collapse anyway but as I had them for 30 years the consultant said it was probably better to have it out.

That took a lot longer than the actual underlying vein treatment but was done at the same time under the same locals. I was home for lunch.

LetsGoCrazyPurpleBanana · 26/02/2022 22:48

Thank you. I'll make an appointment xx

planetme · 26/02/2022 22:58

@littlebilliie

Hi I wondered if anyone has had surgery and the after effect

I paid 2.5k for laser ablation six years ago, one of the best things I ever did

It's disgusting it's not available on the nhs IMO as mine caused me so much pain and upset

LetsGoCrazyPurpleBanana · 27/02/2022 07:12

Little Billie hope you get some relief :)

It's annoying the NHS don't prioritize this more. They seem to think it's purely cosmetic,which is part of it. Mine look bloody ugly and I need to be careful what I wear. But they're so painful sometimes.

3teens2cats · 27/02/2022 12:15

Unfortunately no amazing advice. Ended up in hospital at one point during pregnancy as the pain was so bad they suspected a clot. Compression stockings and legs up as much as you can.

coodawoodashooda · 27/02/2022 12:22

@Elphame

Phlebitis is miserable. That's what sent me to have mine done 2 years ago.

Worth every penny. I had endovenous laser treatment which was all done under local anaesthetic and was done before I realised he'd even started! As I was paying I also had the unsightly surface vein removed at the same time. There was a 50:50 chance they'd collapse anyway but as I had them for 30 years the consultant said it was probably better to have it out.

That took a lot longer than the actual underlying vein treatment but was done at the same time under the same locals. I was home for lunch.

If you don't mind me asking, how much was it?

Elphame · 27/02/2022 13:24

Just under £3000.

This included ultrasound scans of my leg to see which vein/s were causing the problem (it's always one of the deeper veins you can't see that actually causes the varicosity in the surface veins).

I did opt for a top consultant vascular surgeon though rather than using one of the many varicose vein clinics. A friend of mine had hers done by a clinic, they didn't offer the full range of options and she's had to have further treatment since ( she was only offered the foam treatment which has a much higher recurrence rate than radio and laser ablation).

Tifalockhart · 27/02/2022 14:47

I had the foam treatment done and I am not sure I would recommend it. I now have a ton of thread veins where my varicose veins were and I still have lumps on the back on my knee.

coodawoodashooda · 27/02/2022 21:27

@Elphame

Just under £3000.

This included ultrasound scans of my leg to see which vein/s were causing the problem (it's always one of the deeper veins you can't see that actually causes the varicosity in the surface veins).

I did opt for a top consultant vascular surgeon though rather than using one of the many varicose vein clinics. A friend of mine had hers done by a clinic, they didn't offer the full range of options and she's had to have further treatment since ( she was only offered the foam treatment which has a much higher recurrence rate than radio and laser ablation).

If it has worked then I think that's a bargain.