If you’re feeling upset and frustrated with varicose veins, you’re not alone. Blue and purple veins that are oversized and hard-to-conceal can be a cosmetic annoyance that leaves you feeling self-conscious and not dressing how you want to. But here at VENUS Vein Clinic in Omaha, NE, Dr. Kelly Schroeder and her expert staff know how to treat varicose veins and can address your concerns head-on using a variety of proven, trusted methods.
Understanding How to Treat Varicose Veins
What Is Radiofrequency Ablation?
Radiofrequency Ablation is a safe, effective, and comfortable method of correcting pronounced veins. It’s fast and requires almost no recovery period, and involves a medical-grade adhesive being used to seal off your problematic veins. Once they’re blocked off, the vein can no longer receive blood, which means the blood instead goes to your stronger, healthy veins. Eventually, these veins withdraw entirely and end up getting absorbed by your body through natural processes.
A minor incision is made into the treatment area. A needle is then inserted which allows for the laser light to be inserted into the vein via a small fiber tube that slides in easily. The laser light heats up and stimulates the production of collagen, which seals off the problem vein. The tube is then eased out. This treatment is best used on larger veins that are less twisted, as it’s easier to navigate inserting the tube and laser into them. Many patients experience optimal results after as little as one session.
What Is Venaseal Ablation?
Another popular method of removing veins is Venaseal Ablation, which uses a ground-breaking, medical-grade adhesive to seal off damaged veins. It’s most effective when used on the main saphenous vein, which is in the thigh. It’s minimally invasive and requires no downtime, and you won’t even be required to wear compression socks in the weeks after treatment as many other treatments do.
During treatment, Dr. Schroeder cleanses the area then makes a small incision. She guides a thin catheter to the targeted vein where the adhesive is delivered and seals the vein shut, thus redirecting the blood flow to healthier veins. The body processes the sealed vein as scar tissue and, as explained above, it eventually leaves via natural excretion. Over time, you’ll notice the vein disappear and your complexion in the treated area become more clear.
What Is Ambulatory Phlebectomy?
This surgical option is ideal for those struggling with prominent veins that sit just below the skin’s surface, on bulgy, pronounced veins, or in particularly bony areas of the body. Sometimes, after undergoing a treatment like Radiofrequency Ablation or Venaseal Ablation, residual veins are left just below the skin’s surface. This is perfectly normal, but you may want additional treatment to address them, and Phlebectomy is very effective on these too.
It only requires a local anesthetic and a very small incision. Problematic veins are tied off and removed entirely. The procedure is so minor that patients generally only need a bandage to cover the incision area, and can return to work and normal life within twenty-four hours. The only real recovery guideline will be to wear compression socks, as with Ultrasound-Guided Foam Sclerotherapy.
What Is Sclerotherapy?
This treatment is optimal for those with smaller veins or spider veins. It works by creating scar tissue that can block the small veins and is quite similar to ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy. The vein is carefully injected with sclerosing chemical irritants, either in liquid or foam form depending on the size of the veins. This irritant causes the vein to collapse. The blood redirects to healthier veins, and eventually, the problematic vein will vanish.
This generally takes between two and four weeks. Most patients only need one or two sessions to see results, and no downtime is required; you’ll be able to get back to work or run errands immediately after treatment.
Why Do People Choose To Undergo Treatment?
Many people find that pronounced veins leave them feeling insecure about their legs and feet and reluctant to show them off. Not only should you never have to feel like you’re dressing to cover yourself up, but when it gets more hot and humid here in Nebraska, it can be genuinely uncomfortable to wear pants when you’d rather be wearing shorts or a dress. But removing these veins affords many people confidence and self-assuredness. When you’re not feeling anxious about the way you look, you can spend time enjoying life.
Occasionally, people may find that veiny areas are actually hurting and throbbing, which might be a more pressing reason to get them treated. It may be a symptom of deeper damage that is worth addressing so that things like exercising or even just walking don’t become painful, or even lead to issues like blood clots.
Say Goodbye to Gnarly, Noticeable Veins
If you’re ready to stop worrying about veins that are making you feel self-conscious or possibly even hurting, then we’re ready to help you eliminate them. With various methods of vein removal available, we’ll happily go through your options and figure out what treatment will suit you best. Schedule a consultation with VENUS Vein Clinic in Omaha, NE, today.
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