The development of varicose veins is not uncommon in men and women alike, but the stress and discomfort they can cause are always concerning. While many individuals that suffer from varicose veins are frustrated by the aesthetic intrusion they cause to the body, these veins are also often associated with painful symptoms that can hinder everyday life tasks. Beyond the aesthetic and physical discomfort, varicose veins have the potential to lead to more life-threatening conditions down the road, including deep vein thrombosis, which is linked to higher risks of pulmonary embolism, heart attack, or stroke.
How Varicose Veins Can Develop
Veins function as a network to constantly move blood back and forth between the heart and the rest of the body. A series of valves within the veins keeps blood flowing in this pattern despite gravity’s best efforts. In the event that one of these valves malfunctions, blood quickly begins to pool in the extremities with no way to return to the heart. The pressure of pooling blood affects the walls of the vein and can lead to a bulging vessel that shows up at the surface of the skin with either purple or blue coloring. While the discoloration can be disconcerting for those suffering from this condition, varicose veins are often associated with symptoms that include painful swelling, skin that’s warm to the touch, itching, tightness, or restlessness in the extremities as well.
Understanding Vein Phlebectomy in St Louis
While traditional compression garments may provide some relief to patients suffering from varicose veins, those who are looking to reduce or eliminate them entirely will need to look at a more minimally invasive treatment option. Among the many choices available to patients today is a vein phlebectomy.
While vein stripping was once the exclusive option available to patients dealing with varicose veins, this procedure began to lose popularity as patients began to balk at the invasive nature of the procedure which required the use of general anesthesia and included an extensive recovery time. Today, patients who elect vein phlebectomy in St Louis will find that the procedure can be performed in an outpatient setting using local anesthetic and requiring a shortened recovery period with successful results.
Vein phlebectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that begins with the physician numbing the treatment area with a local anesthetic. Once the area is completely numb, a small scalpel is used to make miniature incisions along the vein line. A small hook can then be inserted below the skin to carefully remove the problematic veins. On average, a physician can accomplish this anywhere between 30 minutes and one hour. Vein phlebectomy boasts a 90% overall success rate making is a highly popular choice among patients.
Results, Recovery & Follow-Up
The vast majority of patients report vein phlebectomy to be a painless and comfortable experience. Because the scalpel incisions are so small, there’s no need for stitches afterward and the treatment area is simply generally wrapped in a compression garment to promote healthy healing and continued blood flow. It’s often recommended that compression garments be worn for up to three weeks following the procedure, however, patients can generally return to their daily activities within 24 hours following treatment. Strenuous physical activity and exercise can generally be resumed within two weeks of the procedure.
Cost Considerations
Similar to other medical procedures, the cost associated with a vein phlebectomy procedure is going to vary from patient to patient and is highly dependent on the severity of the area being treated and the number of treatment sessions recommended to achieve the most successful results. Because vein phlebectomy is related to more severe cases of varicose veins and may have a positive impact on a patient’s long-term health goals, it’s important for a patient to check with their individual insurance provider prior to undergoing treatment to understand the potential coverage available to them. In some cases, the cost of care may be mostly covered, but in those instances when coverage is minimal or non-existent, the team at the St. Louis Laser Vein Center is here to help patients work with in-clinic options for financing and payment plans.
Your Journey to Health and Change
At the St. Louis Laser Vein Center, we take pride in our comprehensive approach to patient care and are committed to making sure each and every patient that walks through our door as a positive, comfortable, safe and successful experience. We understand that any type of cosmetic procedure is linked to both physical and emotional health and we’re on-hand to make sure we support our patients on both fronts. When you’re considering the many benefits of vein phlebectomy in St Louis and are wondering if it’s the right choice for you, be sure to schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Wright. Contact us today for more information on the many services and treatment options we can provide. A comprehensive care plan is waiting for you at the St. Louis Laser Vein Center and we can’t wait to take this journey to change with you.
(Image By OpenStax College [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons)
