Varicose veins can usually be found in the legs, and they are enlarged, swollen veins where the blood can’t easily pass anymore. Not only are they a cosmetic concern, but many people have pain, cramps, and swelling associated with the condition. For this reason, it’s important that you get your veins treated as soon as possible. Here at Zenith Vascular & Fibroid Center in Memphis, TN, we offer an innovative varicose vein treatment called Sclerotherapy.
With Sclerotherapy, your veins can be removed quickly and effectively, and you won’t have to spend many days recovering because it’s not a surgical intervention. In fact, your preparation time and aftercare are minimal, and your appointment shouldn’t last longer than an hour. In today’s post, we’ll go over what this treatment entails and how long you will have to wait for your results to become visible.
Sclerotherapy or Laser Therapy: Quick and Effective Varicose Vein Treatment
One of the easiest and most permanent ways of addressing varicose veins is sclerotherapy, a method that involves injecting a substance called sclerosant into your affected veins. This will cause your vein to collapse so that no blood can travel through it anymore. Over time, your blood will find new pathways because you have plenty of veins, and your body will start to break down and absorb the broken vein.
Laser therapy works in a similar way, but instead of sclerosant, laser energy is used to burn the vein and make it collapse. When you come to us with concerns about varicose veins, we will speak to you about these two options and which one you’d prefer. Since both are quick, effective, and permanent, you will see great results no matter what we choose. Most patients find that their varicosities disappear after around 3 months.
How Do I Have To Prepare?
Both sclerotherapy and laser therapy require minimal preparation time, so you should be able to perform all of your normal activities in the weeks and days leading up to your treatment. We might invite you to an initial consultation before booking you in for a session, so we can get to know you and find out which method would be the most appropriate.
As your treatment approaches, you will have to stop taking any blood-thinning medication and supplements to make sure that your therapy will be as safe and effective as possible. You will need to come to the clinic with loose-fitting clothing, and you should clean your legs with antibacterial soap before arriving so that you don’t risk infection. It’s also a good idea to hydrate and have a light snack before your appointment.
How Long Will My Appointment Take?
A sclerotherapy appointment can take as little as 15-30 minutes, particularly if your veins are small and you don’t need to have very many removed. First, your doctor will numb the treatment area with a local anesthetic so that you won’t feel pain as we inject the sclerosant. Once this has taken effect, we can then start the injections, which shouldn’t take long at all. When they’re complete, you can leave the clinic and return home.
Laser therapy works similarly, and your appointment should also take less than an hour. In most cases, the doctor will spend around 20-30 minutes on each leg, but this will depend on how severe your varicosities are and how many different veins have to be treated. We can tell you more about the predicted duration of your appointment when you come in for your initial consultation.
What’s the Recovery Period Like?
As soon as you return home, you can resume your normal day-to-day activities. Some of our patients prefer to rest for a few days, especially if they have been treated on both legs or have had a very large varicose vein removed. Your body will be working hard to get rid of the collapsed veins, so you might feel tired for a few hours or days after your session.
During the first 2-4 days, you should avoid exposing your legs to direct sunlight, taking very hot showers and baths, or using a whirlpool, and extremely strenuous exercise that makes you sweat a lot. Sometimes, applying cold compresses to the treatment area can speed up your recovery, but be sure to ask your doctor about this before proceeding. After two weeks, you should be completely back to normal.
How Often Do I Need To Come in?
When you come to the clinic, we will discuss how many times you need to come in for varicose vein treatment. Some people can get all of their veins removed on the same day, particularly if they are small or close to the surface of the skin. However, particularly large veins sometimes need more than one treatment, so you might need to return to the clinic a few weeks or months after your initial session.
Both sclerotherapy and laser therapy are considered permanent treatments because your veins are absorbed by the body, and they shouldn’t grow back. However, that doesn’t mean that you won’t ever suffer from varicose veins again. You still have to take care of yourself well, live a healthy lifestyle, and keep your blood circulating by doing regular exercise in order to prevent the recurrence of this condition.
When Will I Notice Results?
As mentioned, the veins won’t be removed from your body surgically, but they will be absorbed by natural processes after they have collapsed. That’s the reason why your results won’t be instant. If you have small spider veins, you might notice that they are gone a few weeks after your treatment, but if you’ve had large varicosities treated, you’ll have to wait for around 3 months.
The vein will slowly start to fade, so there isn’t a drastic transformation, but after several months, you’ll notice that it is no longer there. The pain associated with the condition should also decrease and then disappear completely.
What Variations of Sclerotherapy Are There?
Sclerotherapy and laser therapy alone might not be sufficient for everyone, so there are several variations we can try if you have severe varicosities. For example, we can inject a foam version of sclerosant instead of a liquid because this may be able to reach a larger surface area and seal off your vein more completely.
Similarly, we can use ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy for veins that are deeper in your body. With this method, we can even treat those varicosities that you can’t yet see but that will bother you later on in life if they’re not addressed.
Am I a Good Candidate?
Now that you know how varicose vein treatment works and how easy your appointment will be, you might wonder whether you’re a good candidate. Because both sclerotherapy and laser therapy are minimally invasive methods, most patients with varicose veins are a good fit. In fact, you’ll be able to take advantage of these methods even if you have a condition that prevents you from taking part in elective surgery.
If you’re in good general health and don’t have a severe medical condition, you’ll be a great candidate for our treatments. Before getting started, we will make sure that you don’t have any allergies that could interfere with the therapy, and we’ll tell you to stop taking medications that might cause side effects. This will help us to create a safe, effective treatment that doesn’t put you at risk.
Your Struggles with Varicose Veins
At your initial consultation, we will assess your struggle with a spider or varicose veins to determine which of the two methods is the best fit for you. If you have very severe varicosities, we can combine the treatments, but in most cases, we will choose the one that we think will be more effective for you. The best way to find out how you can get rid of your condition is to contact us directly.
Regain Smooth, Pain-Free Legs Now
As well as being a cosmetic concern, varicose veins can be very painful, and they can lead to complications further down the line. That’s why you should look for treatment as soon as you notice any pain associated with the condition. Sclerotherapy is a good varicose vein treatment for many patients because it’s quick, easy, and doesn’t require surgery or a general anesthetic, so you won’t have to spend a night at the hospital after your appointment.
To get started and find out whether you’re eligible, you should contact your local clinic and book an initial appointment. Get in touch with us at Zenith Vascular & Fibroid Center in Memphis, TN today and speak to one of our expert providers. We will be able to review your case, assess your symptoms, and suggest the best course of action in order to resolve your varicose veins permanently.
