Varicose Vein Removal FAQs

Varicose Vein Removal Frequently Asked Questions in Boulder, CO

Hands in gloves examining female knee, representing ultrasound vein diagnosis or injection procedure.

At Boulder Vein Center, we offer comprehensive treatments for varicose veins and spider veins. Scroll down to see some of our answers to varicose vein removal FAQs in Boulder, CO, and get the information you need on the different vein therapies we offer.

Your Questions Answered About Varicose Vein Treatments

Endovenous Laser Treatment

Endovenous Radiofrequency Thermal Ablation

Endovenous Medical Adhesive

No, the varicose vein treatments offered in our office are minimally invasive procedures performed in our office.

You are typically in and out of the office within 1-2 hours.

No, the procedures are done with a local anesthetic.

An oral anti-anxiety pill (Valium) will be prescribed for you to take just prior to the procedure if you prefer. You will need transportation to the office if you choose this option.

We encourage you to drink plenty of liquids prior to the procedure so you are not dehydrated. We ask that you refrain from drinking caffeine on the day of the procedure; it can constrict the veins.

You will feel the placement of the local anesthetic. It feels like a pinch and a slight sting for a moment. It works very rapidly. You may experience a sour taste in the back of your mouth for a few seconds as the laser treatment is being started. It disappears rapidly.

Your pain should be very minimal; we recommend Tylenol or ibuprofen for post-procedural discomfort. For EVLT and RF, you will have some restrictions.  You may resume normal activities as tolerated.

You may wish to take it easy the first day. We recommend relaxing and elevating your feet for 15-20 minutes. A compression stocking is required for two weeks. We ask that you avoid hot tubs for the first few days. For VenaSeal™, you can resume normal activity immediately, and you are not required to use compression stockings.

You will have a very small nick in your skin where the catheter is inserted into the vein. If microphlebectomy is performed, you will have multiple small additional nicks overlying the bulging veins. The nicks will heal with minimal scarring. You may have some bruising afterwards, and this is completely normal as it will go away with time.

No. Some patients require only microphlebectomy or sclerotherapy. Others may require EVLT, RF, or VenaSeal™. Each patient’s treatment is individualized.

Microphlebectomy is used to disrupt prominent bulging veins through microincisions in the skin. A small nick is made over the vein and the vein is interrupted at various places. This stops the blood from flowing back into the varicose veins.

Not necessarily. However, they are strictly cosmetic and do not pose any type of health issues to you. They are typically not painful.

As with any procedure, there are no guarantees. Patients will often need more than one type of treatment for their individual management. Once the great or small saphenous vein is closed off, it typically does not re-open.

Provided that you are an appropriate candidate and have met certain necessary criteria, most insurance plans, including Medicare, will cover varicose vein treatments. We obtain all pre-authorizations for the procedure prior to scheduling.

Typically yes. Please see the above paragraph for additional details.

Yes. We offer a 3-month payment plan. We can also accept automatic payments from your credit card if you wish.

Having your veins stripped involves a lengthy recuperation as well as a short hospital stay with general or regional anesthesia. Return to daily activities is much quicker with EVLT, RF, and VenaSeal™. Scarring is minimal with these procedures. Recurrence rates are lower with varicose vein ablation versus stripping.

We invite you to come experience our award-winning surgical services in Boulder, CO. Call us at (303) 449-8346 to schedule your visit today. We’d be honored to provide you with the answers you’ve been looking for and help achieve your goals.

Varicose Vein Treatment