Are you considering varicose vein treatment? Don’t let the cost discourage you from getting the treatment you need!
Varicose veins affect between 20 million to 30 million Americans. These gnarled blue and purples veins on the legs and feet often cause noticeable symptoms such as pain, swelling, heaviness, itching, and, in advanced cases, skin ulcers. While some people may see varicose veins as a cosmetic issue, treatment is highly recommended to offset potential complications from untreated vein disease.
In the past, the only treatment option for varicose veins was an in-hospital procedure known as vein ligation or vein stripping. Nowadays, vein facilities such as Center for Vein Restoration (CVR) offer several affordable surgical and nonsurgical therapies, all proven safe and effective for decades.
Center for Vein works with most insurance providers, including Medicare and Medicaid, and will assist you in getting coverage for your treatment. Treatment is not initiated until patients understand their financial responsibility. CVR physicians urge you to speak to them or the office staff if payment is prohibitive for you.
The only way to permanently alleviate the varicose veins’ appearance, symptoms, and potential health complications is to seek professional medical treatment with a vein specialist. While the dubious pills, special juices, and other miracle self-care remedies may seem less expensive than your doctor’s recommended plans, it is not advisable to cut corners when seeking medical treatment. Also keep in mind that at-home therapies may end up costing more than medical procedures in the long run.
Whatever the final cost, treating your varicose veins is well worth the price, and it’s not just because of the improved appearance of your legs. Your symptoms will disappear, and you’ll avoid potentially harmful complications, such as skin ulcers and blood clots.
Leg veins contain tiny valves that close tightly and push blood back to the heart, maintaining proper blood flow throughout your body. When those valves lose strength, blood fills the vein, and pressure builds within the vein walls. This pressure eventually widens the vein and pushes it towards the surface of the skin, and a varicose vein appears.
Certain risk factors such as heredity, obesity, pregnancy, menopause, sedentary lifestyle, or even working a job that requires long periods of sitting or standing can raise your chances of varicose veins.
Treatment options fall into two categories: nonsurgical methods and minimally invasive procedures that require only local or no anesthesia. When it comes to treating venous insufficiency, cost should not be a discouraging factor. Buyer beware: avoid “magical cures” found on the Internet. Like anything else found on the Internet that seems “too good to be true,” these methods will not eliminate painful or unsightly varicose veins.
Your doctor may recommend nonsurgical methods to promote better blood movement. These at-home methods range from wearing compression stockings to elevating your legs above the heart for as little as 15-minutes a day.
Nonsurgical remedies can alleviate symptoms, but surgery may be necessary to completely remove varicose veins. These four minimally invasive procedures work well for modern patient lifestyles and require minimal downtime:
Sclerotherapy. Widely used for smaller varicose veins and spider veins, sclerotherapy involves an injection of a sclerosant, or solution, into the vein. The solution acts as an irritant, forcing the vein wall to collapse and eventually fade.
Endovenous Laser Ablation. Laser ablation is ideal for large, symptomatic varicose veins caused by saphenous vein reflux. A thin laser fiber is inserted into the swollen vein during this procedure. This laser heats the vein, causing it to close. Blood is rerouted into healthier veins.
Radiofrequency Ablation. Similar to laser ablation, radiofrequency ablation involves inserting a thin catheter into the affected vein. It emits radio waves to heat specific areas of the varicose vein, causing it to close.
Ambulatory Phlebectomy. This procedure is ideal for veins below the knee in the calf area or veins on the thigh's side anterior or lateral aspect. After the area is numbed using only a local anesthetic, the swollen vein is extracted via two tiny incisions in the leg. A band-aide is all that is needed to cover the small incisions.
As with any procedure, you may feel slight discomfort during the process. However, you can return to your normal routine immediately afterward, with few restrictions. Some people may experience mild tenderness or skin inflammation, which are normal and usually diminish within days. During the recovery process, your doctor may advise you to wear compression stockings and avoid strenuous activities and hot baths for a few days. They may also offer you tips on preventing new varicose veins from forming, such as exercising, eating healthy, and maintaining a healthy weight.
After your procedure, a vein specialist at one of our three Center for Vein Restoration offices in the Atlanta area will monitor your progress to ensure a steady healing process. Three experienced physicians lead our Atlanta offices. Keith S. Moore, MD, is a board-certified general surgeon specializing in vein procedures. Louis Prevosti, MD, FACS, is board-certified in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery. James Fonger, MD, FRCS, is a board-certified physician in general and cardiovascular surgery. Contact us for a consultation today!
Camp Creek Medical Center
3886 Princeton Lakes Way
Suite 140
Atlanta, GA 30331
Northside Center Pointe
1100 Johnson Ferry Road NE
Suite 165
Atlanta, GA 30342
Gwinnett Professional Center
601 Professional Drive
Suite 170
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
Varicose Veins require treatment to resolve. With so many treatment options out there and claims made by non-medical companies it is hard to know what treatment is best. We put together a complete guide to understanding varicose veins treatment options.
