More than 1 in 3 adults (30%) in the United States have varicose veins — dark, swollen varicosities that twist and bulge against the skin along their legs. They can lead to cosmetic concerns, heavy, achy legs, and inflamed, itchy skin.
Fortunately, invasive surgical vein stripping is no longer the only way to address unsightly, uncomfortable, or otherwise unwanted varicose veins. With today’s advanced ablative vein treatment options, you can remove problematic varicose veins without surgery.
Here, Dr. Laura Fernandes of Woodlands Heart and Vascular Institute discusses the ins and outs of vein ablation, including how to prepare for the minimally invasive procedure at our vein clinic in The Woodlands, Texas.
Weakened vein valves can’t keep blood flowing efficiently from your lower extremities back to your heart. This common condition — known as venous insufficiency or reflux — sets the stage for varicose veins and other circulation-related problems.
Unfortunately, there’s no way to fix damaged vein valves and restore normal vascular strength, appearance, and function. We can, however, use minimally invasive endovenous ablation techniques to resolve the problem from the inside out.
The term endovenous ablation refers to nonsurgical treatments that remove unwanted varicose veins by painlessly collapsing the distorted vessels from the inside, compelling them to seal shut and fade away.
To force varicose vein closure and clearance, vein ablation inserts a tiny closure catheter into the diseased vein, then delivers one of the following:
Chemical ablation uses a liquid or foam chemical injection, or sclerosing agent, to irritate the lining of the targeted vessel, causing it to collapse. Radiofrequency ablation (RA) uses heat energy to accomplish the same objective.
Mechanical ablation uses medical glue to force vein closure and seal the vessel shut as the catheter is removed.
Each minimally invasive vein ablation method takes a slightly different approach to achieve the same goal: quick, effective, and complete varicose vein clearance that allows you to resume your active life with little to no downtime.
Regardless of the vein closure agent chosen to match your treatment needs, both the end result and the pre-treatment prep for vein ablation are the same. Here’s what to expect:
Before scheduling your vein ablation treatment, our team goes over your medical history, discussing your vein symptoms and any other health conditions. We also ask for a detailed list of any vitamins, supplements, or medications you take.
If you need to temporarily stop taking any medications, vitamins, or supplements in the days leading up to your procedure, we provide instructions on which to avoid and for how long.
If you take aspirin or another blood-thinning medication, for example, we tell you when to stop taking it to prevent clotting problems on the day of your procedure.
If you have heart valve disease, advanced venous insufficiency, or a condition that compromises your immune system (i.e., diabetes), you may need to take a prophylactic antibiotic before your vein closure treatment.
If you use compression therapy to assist lower extremity circulation, we ask you to stop wearing your garments for the week leading up to your procedure.
You need someone to drive you to and from your vein ablation appointment; the local anesthetic can make it unsafe for you to drive yourself.
Drink plenty of fluids — water is best — the evening before and day of your procedure, but avoid alcoholic or caffeinated beverages. Pale yellow or clear urine indicates optimal hydration.
On the morning of your appointment, shower and scrub your feet and legs with the antiseptic soap provided at your treatment planning visit. Don’t shave the surgical site yourself.
Choose comfortable clothes and slip-on shoes; we have you change into a medical gown or shorts for the procedure.
Ready to say goodbye to varicose veins? Vein ablation is a minimally invasive, maximally effective treatment that can get the job done safely, quickly, and painlessly.
To learn about the varicose vein treatment options at Woodlands Heart and Vascular Institute, schedule a visit by phone or online today.
