Are you experiencing protruding or bulging varicose veins beneath the surface of your skin? Have you become self-conscious of your legs because of them? VENUS Vein Clinic now offers ambulatory phlebectomy, a safe and effective treatment that can comfortably address unwanted varicose veins and help you achieve a radiant, clearer complexion.
Though aesthetic concerns are the primary motivation for many to seek treatment, varicose veins aren’t just a cosmetic issue—they can also cause discomfort, heaviness, and aching in the legs to an extent that significantly impacts your daily activities. Ambulatory phlebectomy provides a time-tested, highly effective solution to eliminate these problem veins without the need for general anesthesia or lengthy downtime. At VENUS Vein Clinic, our patients enjoy both the aesthetic benefits of varicose vein treatment as well as the functional improvements that improve overall quality of life.
VENUS Vein Clinic leads the greater Omaha area in providing the latest and greatest venous treatments and procedures including ambulatory phlebectomy. Dr. Schroeder is determined to give all of our patients a successful, safe, and fulfilling experience that rejuvenates your aesthetic appearance and promotes a greater quality of life. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and learn more about this cutting-edge treatment option. We look forward to hearing from you!
What is ambulatory phlebectomy?
Ambulatory phlebectomy is one of the most advanced modalities for treating varicose veins and improving the aesthetic of your skin. The goal of this treatment is to effectively correct unwanted vascular lesions with minimal invasiveness and downtime in mind.
Unlike traditional vein stripping procedures, which typically require hospitalization and significant downtime, ambulatory phlebectomy is performed in-office and involves only small incisions in the skin (more details on this below). For these reasons, the procedure is ideal for surface varicose veins that are too large to be treated with sclerotherapy but not so severe as to require more intensive surgical approaches.
Because ambulatory phlebectomy targets visible veins directly, the results are often immediate and dramatic. This makes ambulatory phlebectomy a preferred choice for patients seeking both cosmetic improvement and relief from uncomfortable symptoms.
Ambulatory phlebectomy can be performed on patients with or without associated lower extremity pain or discomfort. Whether the veins are bulging and visibly distended or less dramatic in appearance, our team at VENUS Vein Clinic can tailor the treatment to ensure the optimal outcome.
Benefits of ambulatory phlebectomy
Though it takes some time for the body to fully heal from the procedure, including the process of rerouting blood flow to unaffected veins, patients still notice visible improvements in the skin’s appearance immediately. As any swelling or discoloration you experience subsides, initial results should become more apparent.
On that note, tiny incisions leave little to no scarring. The incisions required for ambulatory phlebectomy are only a few millimeters in length, and any marks left behind become virtually invisible over time. For patients who are concerned about high scarring tendencies, topical creams and other scar management methods can be used to reduce the risk of visible scarring.
The lack of general anesthesia also bears importance for not only the reduced recovery time, but for the reduced risk of complications. Topical anesthesia is associated with far fewer and less severe side effects than general anesthesia.
Recurrence rates are consistently low among randomized controlled trial participants, such as this finding from Bernhoven Hospital in the Netherlands, in which only 1 of 48 ambulatory phlebectomy patients experienced recurrence after treatment. Following recommended aftercare practices consistently is highly important in preventing recurrence, alongside the success of the procedure itself.
Finally, ambulatory phlebectomy can be combined with a variety of other treatments to further improve the appearance of the skin.
What can be expected from the treatment process?
During this procedure, very small incisions are created in the targeted area under a local anesthetic for optimal comfort. Unwanted varicose veins are carefully teased through these points of entry and are extracted from the legs. Blood flow is naturally redirected to healthier nearby veins to enhance circulation. Over time, once the area has properly healed, you will notice a clearer, radiant appearance.
Each incision is so small—often just a few millimeters—that sutures are typically not required following this procedure. Total time can vary based on individual factors like your presentation, the size of the treatment area(s), and so forth, but typically, ambulatory phlebectomy takes between 30 minutes to an hour. The body will then begin working right away to reroute the blood through healthier vessels.
Immediately after treatment, patients are monitored to ensure the body responds in an appropriate way, and are then cleared to leave the clinic on the same day. Engaging in light activities like walking is important to facilitate blood flow. While resting, it’s important to keep the legs elevated, as this minimizes pressure on the veins surrounding the treatment area.
How should I prepare for ambulatory phlebectomy?
Our team at VENUS Vein Clinic will ensure that you are equipped with everything you need to properly prepare for your treatment, including personalized instructions. As such, always follow your provider’s protocols over generalized prep guidelines that do not take into your account your medical history, presentation, and other important details. In most cases, ambulatory phlebectomy preparation is very simple, requiring very little in terms of major adjustments to your routine in the time leading up to treatment.
To provide a more general overview of the points most patients are advised to address before their procedures, whether on the day of or in the days/weeks leading up to treatment, consider the following:
- Medication use: Certain medications, including blood thinners and some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) may interfere with the treatment. If applicable, you may be asked to pause your use of said medication(s).
- Clothing: Wearing comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to treatment, including flat shoes, is typically recommended.
- Transportation: Though general anesthesia is not required, it’s still recommended that you arrange a ride home from treatment.
As always, our team is here to answer any questions you have relating to the prep, procedure, or recovery processes.
How much recovery time can I expect?
Post-treatment effects like minor swelling, bruising, and discomfort are to be expected, and typically revolve themselves within days to 1-2 weeks. Patients are usually instructed to wear compression garments following the procedure, which enhances circulation and healing.
Since ambulatory phlebectomy is minimally invasive, this approach grants very minimal recovery time, allowing you to continue your schedule faster than other surgical procedures. Dr. Kelly Schroeder will provide you with after-care instructions to properly heal the area.
Most people are able to return to light activities (walking, basic tasks around the home, etc.) within 24 to 48 hours following the treatment. We recommend avoiding strenuous workouts, heavy lifting, or prolonged standing for the first week—standing increases pressure on the treated area due to the force of gravity. Compression stockings should be worn as advised to encourage optimal healing and reduce swelling.
Ultimately, how quickly you are able to return to work and other normal activities can vary based on individual circumstances, as can your specific after-care instructions. Hence, it’s always the best practice to follow your provider’s guidelines and follow-up as necessary to address any questions or report unexpected changes in the recovery process.
Dr. Schroeder and our clinical team provide a detailed post-procedure guide to help you understand what to expect at each stage of recovery. We’re also available for follow-up visits and support to ensure your healing progresses smoothly.
Long-term lifestyle changes to ensure long-lasting results
Though the recovery process following ambulatory phlebectomy is conveniently quick and simple, there are several steps patients can take in the long term to safeguard themselves against recurrence. Many of these practices can also apply for people who have yet to undergo a procedure, and are concerned that they may develop varicose veins due to a hereditary component, sedentary lifestyle, and other factors.
Consistent, low-impact aerobic activity, including walking and cycling, is an excellent way to maintain healthy blood flow and prevent future venous insufficiency issues. For those whose jobs require long periods of sedentary work, elevating the legs when possible, taking breaks to walk around, and wearing compression stockings (if appropriate) can all help to facilitate healthy vein function, thereby preventing varicose veins.
Finally, staying as close as you can to your optimal weight for as long as you can is very important when it comes to deterring the formation of varicose veins. Especially when veins have to contend against both the added pressure of excess body weight and prolonged gravity-dependent positioning, the risk of developing varicose veins increases greatly.
Who is an ideal candidate for ambulatory phlebectomy?
Most people who experience varicose veins can undergo this procedure. As far as where ambulatory phlebectomy lands on the scale of invasiveness, it is closer to minimally invasive procedures like sclerotherapy and vein laser treatments than vein stripping, while still able to provide dramatic results.
Once you schedule your initial consultation, Dr. Schroeder will carefully examine the designated treatment area and review some aspects of your medical history. From there, we can best determine if ambulatory phlebectomy or one of our other varicose vein treatments may be right for you.
To provide some context as to what indications Dr. Schroeder may be looking for to determine your candidacy for ambulatory phlebectomy, here are some of the main factors to be evaluated:
- Presence of visible, bulging varicose veins near the surface of the skin
- Leg fatigue, heaviness, or discomfort associated with venous insufficiency
- Ability to safely tolerate and recover from the procedure (no poor wound healing, immune conditions, etc.)
- Looking for a minimally invasive solution that does not require general anesthesia
Patients with deep vein issues, comorbid health conditions, and other complicating factors may be better suited for alternative therapies. We will thoroughly evaluate the above and other factors during a comprehensive consultation to confirm your candidacy. If you are deemed not eligible for ambulatory phlebectomy, there may still be alternative treatments, topical treatments, and other alternatives to consider.
Ambulatory phlebectomy vs alternative vein treatments
Curious as to whether or not you might be a better candidate for a different treatment, such as sclerotherapy? By reviewing some basics regarding the issues targeted by each treatment, level of invasiveness, and overall effectiveness, you can gain more insight into why we recommend the approaches that we do, including ambulatory phlebectomy.
Sclerotherapy, for example, is less invasive than ambulatory phlebectomy. In this treatment, the targeted blood vessels are injected with a solution (a “sclerosing” agent) that irritates them, causing the blood vessel walls to close in on each other and ultimately destroy the vein. While this treatment is even less invasive than ambulatory phlebectomy, it is typically not as effective for larger, more significantly distended veins.
Endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) and radiofrequency ablation (FRA) are used to address larger bulging veins by heating them from the inside, rather than surgically removing them. These treatments can address deeper veins, and may have a shorter recovery time than ambulatory phlebectomy. They can also be used in conjunction with ambulatory phlebectomy for more comprehensive results.
Finally, traditional vein stripping is mostly viewed as the more invasive and outdated alternative to ambulatory phlebectomy. Where ambulatory phlebectomy uses very small incisions to remove veins one section at a time, vein stripping uses larger incisions to remove the entire vein. This often requires general anesthesia, requiring greater recovery time, and may cause more noticeable scars.
Ambulatory phlebectomy frequently asked questions
Will my varicose veins return after this treatment?
Since ambulatory phlebectomy involves the complete removal of varicose veins, there is no chance that the selected vein(s) will return. However, this does not guarantee that new varicose veins won’t develop in the surrounding areas over time. Contact our team to learn how to best prevent and manage varicose veins well after receiving treatment.
Is ambulatory phlebectomy painful?
Thanks to the use of local anesthesia, you should experience little to no discomfort. Some patients report feeling a pulling sensation, but any minor discomfort you experience should resolve very quickly.
What are the risks and complications I should be aware of?
Beyond the aforementioned post-treatment effects, including redness, swelling, and minor discomfort, serious side effects are extremely rare. These include nerve injury, infection, and inflammation of the veins, among others. To mitigate these risks even further, our team always follows industry-leading standards of safety with all procedures. This includes educating patients on proper prep and aftercare procedures.
How much should I walk after a phlebectomy?
Patients are typically recommended to walk for at least half an hour per day following an ambulatory phlebectomy procedure. This improves circulation and significantly reduces the risk of blood clot formation. Breaking your daily walking time up into smaller intervals is often recommended.
Why choose VENUS Vein Clinic?
Led by board-certified vein specialist Dr. Kelly Schroeder, our team at VENUS Vein Clinic brings a personalized approach to every patient. We’re passionate about delivering the confidence and peace of mind that an effective varicose vein treatment creates, having witnessed the difference it makes firsthand.
Our Omaha-area patients choose VENUS Vein Clinic for leading-edge treatment techniques and equipment, our friendly and knowledgeable staff, and transformative results that last.
Are you bothered by varicose veins and looking for an effective solution? Contact us today to schedule your consultation and find out if ambulatory phlebectomy may be your key to a healthier-looking complexion!