What to Expect Before & After Varicose Veins Surgery

Varicose veins can cause aching, swelling, and changes in how your legs look. Many people deal with them, especially if they stand for long periods or have a family history of vein issues.

When symptoms begin to affect daily life, varicose veins surgery may help.

Today’s treatments are faster and less invasive, and many people return to normal routines right after their procedure.

This guide explains why varicose veins form, the surgery options available, what happens during treatment, and what recovery involves.

What Is Varicose Vein Surgery?

Varicose veins surgery treats varicose veins that disrupt blood flow. These leg veins can stretch or twist when the valves stop blood from moving upward.

Blood pools in the area and creates pressure that leads to discomfort. Surgery targets the affected veins so healthier veins can take over and restore better blood flow.

Most procedures rely on minimally invasive steps that focus on the damaged vein without a large opening. Your doctor may use an ultrasound to map the vein before the procedure.

Many treatments use local anesthesia and small incisions to reach the vein and close it. Some procedures remove the entire vein through tiny punctures.

What Happens When Varicose Veins Go Untreated?

Untreated varicose veins can place pressure on the vein walls and slow the movement of blood. Blood pools in the damaged area and may cause swelling that returns often.

Some patients develop skin discoloration near the lower leg because trapped blood affects the surrounding tissue. Spider veins may also appear as the pressure spreads to nearby veins.

These changes can progress without much warning. A physical exam can show how far the issue has developed and which veins no longer move blood upward.

Varicose veins surgery helps prevent these complications by closing the vein causing the problem. This directs blood into healthier veins and reduces swelling over time.

Types of Varicose Veins Surgery and Treatments

Varicose veins can require different treatment options depending on the size of the vein and the symptoms you report.

Doctors choose a method that closes or removes the affected vein so blood can move into healthier veins. Here are the procedures used most often.

Minimally Invasive Varicose Veins Treatments

These methods treat the damaged vein through small entry points and avoid a long healing time. 

They rely on imaging for accuracy and let most patients stay active soon after the procedure.

• Endovenous laser treatment: A doctor places a thin tube and laser fiber through a tiny incision. Laser energy seals the vein from the inside. Ultrasound imaging helps guide the tube with accuracy. This method works well for large varicose veins.
• Endovenous radiofrequency ablation: A catheter delivers heat to the vein to close it. Ultrasound imaging helps track the catheter during the procedure. Most patients experience minimal discomfort and leave the office soon after treatment.
• Foam sclerotherapy: A doctor injects foam through a fine needle or a small needle. The foam reacts with the vein wall and closes the vein. It works well for new varicose veins or veins close to the skin.
• Ambulatory phlebectomy: A doctor removes the entire vein through small incision sites. This method treats surface veins that cause symptoms. Most patients return to normal activities soon afterward.

These minimally invasive vein treatments help move blood into healthier veins and can ease pressure from the affected area.

Traditional Varicose Veins Surgery

Some veins need a more involved option when they don’t respond to lighter procedures. Traditional surgery focuses on the full removal of the damaged vein to restore better circulation.

Vein stripping is the main option in this category. A vascular surgeon places a tool inside the vein and removes it through the leg.

This method treats large varicose veins that resist modern techniques. It requires general anesthesia and a longer recovery because it treats a wider area of tissue.

How to Prepare for Your Varicose Veins Procedure

Preparation helps your doctor understand how the vein functions and what you’ll need on the day of treatment.

These steps outline what patients usually do before the procedure.

1. Review medications with your doctor: Your doctor looks at every medication and supplement you take. Some can increase bleeding, so you may need to pause them for a short period.
2. Complete your exam or ultrasound imaging: Ultrasound imaging shows how blood moves inside the vein and whether blood is flowing backward. This helps your doctor confirm the exact area that needs treatment.
3. Wear compression stockings if recommended: Your doctor may ask you to wear compression stockings before the procedure. They help reduce swelling and improve blood flow in the leg.
4. Follow food and drink instructions: Some procedures require an empty stomach. Your doctor will explain what to avoid and when to avoid it.
5. Know the type of anesthesia you’ll receive: Most treatments work as an outpatient procedure and use numbing medicine only. You’ll stay awake and comfortable. Your doctor will review any possible side effects.

These steps help your healthcare provider prepare your procedure safely and help you feel more ready for the day of treatment.

What Happens During Varicose Vein Surgery?

Your doctor begins the procedure by confirming the vein location with ultrasound imaging. The device uses sound waves to show the vein that needs treatment.

Numbing medicine is applied to the leg so you stay comfortable throughout the outpatient procedure.

A tiny incision or a few small openings allow the doctor to reach the vein. A thin tube, catheter, or laser fiber enters the vessel. Heat or laser energy seals the vein from the inside.

Some surgical procedures remove the vein in short sections when sealing isn’t the right option.

The goal is to improve the return blood flow by closing or removing the damaged vein. Scarring is usually minimal since the openings are very small.

Once the vein is treated, the doctor closes the incision sites, places bandages, and checks your circulation before you leave.

What to Expect After Varicose Vein Surgery

Recovery from varicose veins surgery depends on the type of procedure, but most patients move around shortly after treatment.

Many patients return to normal activities within a day, especially after minimally invasive procedures.

Mild soreness can appear once the numbing medicine fades, and this often improves within a few days. Tightness or tenderness along the treated vein may linger for up to two weeks.

Walking helps circulation and reduces stiffness, so most patients stay active at a comfortable pace.

Possible side effects vary by procedure. You may see light bruising or slight skin changes near the treated area, but these points usually fade within a short time.

Your doctor will review the signs that need attention so you know when to call.

Find Your Varicose Vein Solution at Wellness and Pain

When varicose veins continue to cause discomfort, it’s time to meet the doctors at Wellness and Pain.

Ongoing pressure or aching often points to a vein that struggles to move blood upward. Home remedies can help for a short time, but they can’t correct a circulation issue inside the vein.

The doctors at Wellness and Pain use detailed imaging to locate the exact vein that’s causing your symptoms. 

They study your blood flow, examine how the vein responds, and check whether the issue affects nearby areas.

Once they identify the source, they use several methods to close or remove the damaged vein so healthier veins can manage the circulation.

Many patients start relieving symptoms within a few weeks as the treated vein stops creating pressure. These improvements help you move more comfortably and feel less disruption during your day.

If varicose veins affect your comfort or daily routine, there’s no reason to wait. Set up a consultation at Wellness and Pain and get the care your legs need.

FAQs About Varicose Veins Surgery

How serious is varicose vein surgery?

Most varicose vein surgeries are considered low risk. They use precise tools, small entry points, and imaging to target the damaged vein.

Serious complications are rare, but your doctor will explain risks such as blood clots or infection so you know what to watch for.

What is the recovery time for varicose vein surgery?

Recovery depends on the procedure, but many patients walk shortly after treatment and return to normal routines within days.

Tenderness or tightness can persist for 1 to 2 weeks. Your doctor will explain what to expect based on the method used.

Is varicose vein surgery a major surgery?

Most varicose vein treatments aren’t considered major operations. Many are outpatient procedures that use numbing medicine instead of general anesthesia. 

You’ll be awake, comfortable, and able to go home afterward.

Is it worth having varicose veins removed?

Many patients feel it’s worthwhile because treatment can relieve pain, reduce swelling, and improve daily comfort.

Closing or removing the damaged vein also prevents symptoms from progressing over time. Your doctor can help you decide based on how the vein affects your routine and mobility.