What do varicose veins feel like?

Varicose veins typically have a bulging appearance, and can cause symptoms such as aching, burning, itching and throbbing. The severity and presence of symptoms can differ from person to person.

Can varicose veins cause leg pain?

Yes. It’s common for varicose veins to cause leg pain due to blood flowing in the wrong direction through the vein. When the valves stop working properly, it means the blood isn’t flowing efficiently, and the build-up of blood and increase of pressure can lead to symptoms such as pain.

Do compression socks help varicose veins?

Compression stockings don’t help the varicose veins themselves. Undergoing treatment is the only option to get rid of them, but stockings can help to ease the symptoms. Although they can be uncomfortable to wear, they are effective in symptom relief so we recommend wearing them if you are not in a position to pursue treatment.

When should I have my varicose veins treated?

The sooner you have treatment, the longer you will benefit from the treatment and the easier it will be to obtain a good result.

Most patients find it best to wait until autumn/winter, when the recovery from the treatment in the cooler weather is more comfortable (and there is plenty of time for full recovery before the following summer!).

How soon after pregnancy can I have my varicose veins treated?

You will not be able to attend for a consultation or treatment until 3 months post childbirth. This is due to the pattern and severity of venous disease changing post-partum.

The limiting factor is if you are breastfeeding, in order to have sclerotherapy, any milk expressed within 24 hours following this treatment would need to be discarded due to the chemical that is used in the treatment. You would therefore have to express enough milk to cover this time frame. You may decide it is better to wait until you have stopped breastfeeding to have this treatment.

Will I see a difference straight away after treatment?

You should notice an improvement in your symptoms shortly after treatment. You’ll be wearing compression stockings for a week after the procedure, so you won’t be able to see your leg for a week. When you take your stocking off, it’s likely that the veins will look a bit better, but they won’t have gone yet.

This is a two-stage procedure: we do the EVLA and sclerotherapy treatment first; then we see you for follow-up around six weeks later, when we do some more injections of the actual varicose veins (if there are any left). Most people do require these injections, so you don’t see the full effect of this treatment until two or three months later.

Will I have to take time off work after EVLA treatment?

We don’t advise patients to take any time off work. Some patients find that it’s a bit uncomfortable after about a week. Only very occasionally does a patient report that they’ve had to take time off. Most people find that they can get on with everyday life straight away.

How soon will I see noticeable results?

We have virtually 100% success in closing refluxing veins and varicose veins. This will not necessarily provide an acceptable cosmetic result, but the vast majority (more than 95%) of our patients are very happy with the symptom-relief and the cosmetic improvement.

Symptoms should resolve before your follow-up in most cases, but cosmetic improvement takes several weeks. We intend to make your legs look normal.

Click here to watch Miss Nung Rudarakanchana explain how soon you will see noticeable results after varicose veins treatment.

Do I need to wear compression stockings after treatment?

Following any treatment, you will be required to wear a Class II compression stocking on each treated leg. The stocking(s) must be worn for one full week.

The only thing that the stocking interferes with is swimming, as you cannot get it wet. We also advise that you avoid horse-riding and weight lifting for 1 week after treatment, but other than that, you can carry on with your normal daily activities.

When can I resume normal activities after EVLA treatment?

You can get back to normal activities as soon as you leave the clinic. The only restriction is that you’ll be wearing a compression stocking on your leg. To facilitate your recovery it is advised that you walk at least 20 minutes daily and avoid sitting or standing in one position for more than 2 hours. Other normal activity can be resumed immediately. Exercise should be guided by how your legs feel. You can’t swim while you are wearing stockings. The only exercise we restrict is horse riding and heavy weight lifting for 1 week post-treatment. Long haul flights (over 4 hours) are to be avoided for 4 weeks.

You cannot drive yourself home on the day of your procedure. You can drive the next day.

How much does it cost to treat varicose veins?

EVLA (Endovenous Laser Ablation) is the most likely treatment you’ll need if you have definite varicose veins; those that are bulging on the outside of your legs and often cause symptoms too (such as aching, itching, throbbing etc.). All our prices are upfront and fixed. Additionally, our EVLA price is the same regardless of how many veins need treating on each leg.

Our prices for EVLA are £1,995 for the treatment of one leg, or £2,695 for the treatment of two legs.