Mr Alastair Lewis
Varicose Veins Removal
Are you troubled with painful, itchy leg veins or simply fed up with their unsightly appearance? At Kingsbridge Hospital our team of Vascular Surgeons are here to help.
Steps to get started
Our team will support you through every stage, from your first enquiry to your recovery.
If you’re using health insurance
Check with your provider to see what’s covered. We’re happy to help with any paperwork and can work directly with many insurance companies to make the process smoother for you.
If you’re paying for treatment yourself or using a payment plan
We’ll give you clear information about costs and help you plan your care. You’ll know exactly what to expect, with no hidden fees.
Costs
Costs can vary depending on the procedure and your personal treatment plan. We’ll give you a clear price guide upfront and explain what’s included.
Flexible payment options are available to help spread the cost. Our team is here to answer questions and help you choose the best way to pay.
Book an Appointment
You can book an appointment online, call our friendly team, or ask your GP for a referral.
We’re here to answer your questions, talk you through your options, and help you feel confident about your treatment.
Our Locations
Each site is equipped with modern facilities and experienced teams who will look after you throughout your treatment and recovery.
Our hospitals are easy to reach and offer a calm, comfortable environment to support your care. Wherever you decide to go, you’ll receive the same high standard of personalised treatment.
Meet Our Varicose Veins Removal Consultants
Our consultants are specialists with years of experience. From your first consultation through to your recovery, you’ll be under the care of experts who are dedicated to helping you achieve the best possible results.
Varicose Veins: The Risk Factors
Getting older
Valves get weaker
Being female
Possibly because hormones can relax the vein walls
Pregnancy
Increases amount of blood in body, but decreases flow from the legs
Being overweight
Puts more pressure on the veins
Long periods of time standing
Veins have to work harder against gravity
Sitting for long periods
Leads to poor circulation
Managing Varicose Veins Without Surgery
The following activities can help ease the symptoms of varicose veins:
- Avoid standing or sitting still for long periods, move around every half hour or so
- Regular exercise can improve the circulation and help lose weight
- Raise the lower leg on pillows or a stool while resting
- Consider compression stockings after medical advice
Whilst these activities may help some patients and ease their condition, varicose veins will not go away without treatment and symptomatic varicose veins tend to get worse with time. Possible complications can include inflammation (thrombophlebitis), swelling, skin discolouration and bleeding.
It has been proven that earlier treatment of symptomatic varicose veins produces a better clinical outcome and cosmetic results.
Types Of Varicose Veins
Telangiectasia varicose veins
Telangiectasia varicose veins are commonly known as thread veins or spider veins, are small clusters of blue or red veins that sometimes appear on your face or legs. They are harmless and, unlike trunk varicose veins, do not bulge underneath the surface of the skin. You may wish to have them treated to improve the cosmetic appearance of the area affected.
Trunk varicose veins
Trunk varicose veins are near to the surface of the skin and are thick and knobbly. They are usually visible, often quite long and can look unpleasant.
Reticular varicose veins
Reticular varicose veins are red and are sometimes grouped close together in a network.
How Are Varicose Veins Diagnosed?
Varicose veins are easy to see in your leg. However, to work out the position and extent of any valve damage, your doctor at Kingsbridge Private Hospital may perform the following tests.
A Doppler test
This is an ultrasound technique that uses sound waves to produce an image of the inside of your leg. It will give your doctor information about the direction of blood flow in your vein and whether your valves are working properly.
An ultrasound scan (duplex)
This will allow your doctor to examine your deep veins in detail.
How Are Varicose Veins Treated?
If your varicose veins don’t cause you any discomfort, you may decide not to have any treatment. However, if your veins do cause you discomfort or if you want treatment for cosmetic reasons then our surgeons at Kingsbridge Hospital offer the latest techniques in varicose veins treatment.
Pathway 1 – Non-Surgical Treatment for Varicose Veins
There are a number of modern techniques used to treat varicose veins. This involves the closure of the veins using injected foam or applied heat energy through a small skin incision. These techniques have the advantage in that they can be carried out under local anaesthetic and rarely require overnight stay. Most patients will be able to walk immediately afterwards and can resume normal activities in 1 to 2 days.
These treatments include:
• VNUS Closure Procedure using radiofrequency energy
• Ultrasound guided Foam Sclerotherapy
• Microsclerotherapy for thread veins
Pathway 2 – Surgical Treatment for Varicose Veins
Larger veins often require surgical removal under general or spinal anaesthesia. Depending on the extent of your veins and your occupation, you may need to take between one to two weeks off work to recover.
In surgery, superficial veins that have become varicose veins are removed. The veins that are situated deep within your legs will take over the role of the damaged veins.
There are many types of operation depending on which veins need treated. Your surgeon at Kingsbridge Hospital will provide you with advice on which operation is best for you.
A common operation is ligation and stripping. In this operation, your surgeon will tie off the faulty vein to stop any blood flowing through it and then remove it. You may have phlebectomy with ligation and stripping to remove the smaller surface veins that lie under your skin. In this operation, your surgeon will use hooks to pull out your varicose veins through small cuts in your leg.
Although many people won’t need any further treatment after surgery, it’s possible that new varicose veins can form.
Please note that all your options will be discussed in depth at your consultation with our experienced Vascular Consultants. We provide a full assessment service with clinical examination and ultrasound.
What To Expect After Varicose Vein Treatment?
After your treatment at Kingsbridge Private Hospital you should no longer have varicose veins, and any symptoms you had should be improved. Varicose vein surgery should also help prevent complications that varicose veins may cause and the general appearance of the area where the varicose veins were present.