Varicose veins are the twisted, bulging veins usually on the legs that may come in blue or purple, leaving many patients self-conscious of their unsightly appearance. Surgery is one of the treatment options to resolve it. But some patients have already gone long enough without addressing their condition, making them wonder if it’s already too late for this solution.
So when is it too late for varicose vein surgery? Varicose vein surgery or vein ligation and stripping have no age restriction, so patients can never be too late for undergoing this procedure. It’s also recommended for severe varicose vein cases, so you can have varicose vein surgery even if your condition has worsened. Aside from surgery, patients with large varicose veins can still benefit from other minimally invasive solutions.
Until When Can I Have Varicose Vein Surgery?
Varicose veins leave an unsightly appearance of enlarged veins on the legs. These are caused by blood flowing back due to faulty veins and valves as it returns to the heart. While they aren’t usually life-threatening, they can leave uncomfortable symptoms and may even be signs of an underlying medical condition. Varicose vein surgery or varicose vein ligation and stripping are one of the treatment options to resolve this condition.
Patients can never be too late in undergoing surgery for their varicose veins because it doesn’t have an age limit. It’s even recommended for large or severe cases, so you can consider this treatment option no matter how your condition has worsened.
When to Have Varicose Vein Surgery
Surgery is often recommended for patients experiencing discomfort from their varicose veins, even with proper management with at-home solutions. Tying and stripping off the damaged vein via minor surgery becomes a treatment option to relieve symptoms and/or prevent complications, such like:
- Heavy sensation in the legs
- Pain or muscle cramps
- Soreness
- Itching
- Swelling
- Skin discoloration
- Leg ulcerations
Patients also undergo varicose vein surgery to treat underlying medical conditions, like chronic venous insufficiency or CVI. CVI is a cardiovascular disease involving damage in the leg vein valves, resulting in blood collecting in the legs. It causes pain, swelling, and leg ulcers due to the increased pressure damaging tiny blood in the skin. This condition is caused by blood clots in the legs, called deep vein thrombosis or DVT.
But anyone seeking to remove their varicose veins for cosmetic reasons can have varicose vein stripping and ligation anytime. However, this option involves risks of scarring, so patients seeking to improve the appearance of their legs may benefit more from minimally invasive treatment options, like sclerotherapy or laser ablation.
Ideal Candidates for Varicose Vein Surgery
Varicose vein ligation and stripping is an outpatient surgery. While it has a high success rate, it still comes with low risks. Because of this, healthcare providers will still assess if you’re suitable for the procedure. The ideal candidates for varicose vein surgery are patients who:
- Have large varicose veins
- Suffer from chronic venous insufficiency
- Have leg ulcers or have risks of having them
- Experience severe pain in the leg
- Experience swelling or heaviness of the legs
- Are required to stand or sit for long periods
- Have damaged veins
Patients who aren’t recommended to undergo surgery for varicose veins are those with or are:
- Poor blood circulation
- Lymphedema
- AV fistula
- Skin conditions
- Blood clots
- Pregnant
If you aren’t suitable for varicose vein ligation and stripping, you may still benefit from other treatment options. These solutions require minimal downtime and involve fewer risks than surgical procedures.
What Happens During Varicose Vein Surgery
Varicose vein ligation and stripping is a minor surgery performed by a vascular surgeon. The procedure takes around an hour to 3 hours, depending on the severity of your condition. You can expect this option to go as follows:
- General or local anesthesia or sedatives will be given to you, so you won’t feel any pain during the procedure.
- The affected vein will be located with ultrasound imaging.
- Incisions will be made at the bottom, middle, and top of the damaged vein in your leg.
- A wire will be used to tie the affected vein and pull it out.
- The affected vein will be removed with small cuts.
- Stitches will be made to close the incisions.
- Wearing compression garments during recovery is advised.
Patients are advised to have a companion to drive them home. Since it’s an outpatient procedure, you can usually be discharged on the same day after your operation once your anesthesia has worn off and the doctor has observed you for allergic reactions and other effects.
Risks of Varicose Vein Surgery
Varicose vein surgery is an invasive treatment option for removing bulging veins in your legs. While rare, it still involves several risks, like many surgical solutions. Some of the reactions you might want to observe are:
- Allergic reaction from the anesthesia
- Blood clot in the leg
- Infection in the surgical wounds
- Nerve irritation
- Scarring
You should seek a reliable healthcare provider when getting varicose vein ligation and stripping to ensure a safe and successful treatment. Your specialist will assess you thoroughly to ensure you’re suitable for the procedure.
The Best Varicose Vein Treatment at the Vein Center Doctor
If you’re having some hesitations with opting for surgical options, you may seek the best solutions from the Vein Center Doctor. We offer minimally invasive treatments for removing varicose veins.
| Varicose Vein Treatment | Description |
| Sclerotherapy | The affected vein will receive injections of a sclerosant. This solution will cause a reaction in the vein, scarring and closing it up. This vein will soon fade as local tissues absorb it. The blood will be redirected to a healthy vein. |
| VenaSeal | An FDA-approved medical glue will be administered into the affected vein via a catheter to close it up, allowing the blood to flow to other veins. |
| Radiofrequency Ablation Therapy | Your vein wall lining will be closed by applying heat from the RFA device via a catheter, allowing blood to get redirected to other veins. |
These treatment options for removing varicose veins require only a short downtime with minimal risks. It can target mild to severe cases of varicose veins. Our board-certified professionals will perform your treatment using cutting-edge tools and techniques to set your procedure up for success, improving your quality of life.
Other Treatment Options for Varicose Veins
Aside from the minimally invasive options at Vein Center Doctor, there are also other solutions for varicose veins available at other clinics. These treatment options also involve a short downtime and fewer health risks.
| Varicose Vein Treatment | How It Works |
| Endovenous Laser Ablation | Fiber will be inserted into the affected vein to apply heat on its wall linings, causing it to close up. The blood will reroute to a different vein. |
| Micro-Phlebectomy | The varicose veins will be resolved by removing the affected vein, accessed via small incisions. The blood will then flow to another blood vessel. |
| Laser Treatment | This is a non-invasive treatment option, where heat will be applied to your skin to target small varicose veins and spider veins. |
These are some of the treatments for varicose veins that don’t involve surgical options. Ensure consulting your doctor for the best treatment suitable for your condition and preference.
Remove Varicose Veins with the Best Minimally Invasive Solutions at the Vein Center Doctor
Varicose vein surgery or vein ligation and stripping are one of the solutions for removing the twisted, bulging veins on your leg. It has no age restriction and is a suitable treatment option even for large varicose veins and severe cases. Patients wouldn’t worry about being too late for this treatment. But as a surgical procedure, varicose vein stripping and ligation comes with several risks, so you might want to consider other minimally invasive solutions.
Vein Center Doctor is one of the best clinics for diagnosing and treating varicose veins in New York and New Jersey. With our highly-trained professionals equipped with advanced tools and techniques, patients can rest assured of receiving world-class treatment for their enlarged veins. Get started removing your varicose veins today for a veinless and painless tomorrow. Book an appointment with us to learn more.
