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Rebecca Giffen

Normal veins vs varicose veins

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Veins are a type of blood vessel that transports deoxygenated blood from your organs back to your heart. They form part of your circulatory system, cardiovascular system or venous system. Veins work alongside your arteries which are another form of blood vessel which instead delivers oxygenated blood from your heart to the rest of your body.

What are Capillaries?

Capillaries are the smallest type of blood vessel that form part of the circulatory system. They work to distribute oxygenated blood from your arteries to the tissues of the body and also feed the deoxygenated blood from the tissues back into the veins.

Just like all the other parts of our body, the legs need a good blood supply in order to function properly. Pumping blood to the legs from the heart is an easy process through the use of arteries but the veins in your legs have a trickier job in transporting blood from the legs back up to the heart which is against the flow of gravity.

Does exercise help blood flow and veins?

It is actually your movements that help with this process, the act of walking or doing exercise are great ways to encourage the movement of blood as the muscles act as a pump pushing onto the veins to encourage the flow of blood up towards the pelvis.

This doesn’t mean that we need to be constantly moving in order to have good blood flow however, although it does help. The veins have one-way valves that are used to stop the blood flowing back down into the legs when the muscles are relaxed and generally encourage the flow of blood to be upwards.

These valves are located on the vein’s inner walls, they point upwards within the veins and when the blood is being pumped upwards, they are forced open. When the muscles relax, and the blood starts to fall downwards then these valves remain open to stop this from occurring.

How do veins fail?

Sometimes, the valves within our veins can fail and they become unable to prevent the blood from travelling back down the veins which is known as venous reflux which is the major cause of most venous diseases such as the formation of varicose veins.

Varicose veins vs normal healthy veins

Normal veins vs varicose veins

Varicose veins occur when the vein walls or valves have weakened and have not been able to function properly to stop the blood from flowing backwards. When the blood flows backwards it can end up sitting in the vein causing it to become swollen and enlarged which is often visible from the surface of the skin.

What factors can increase the likelihood of developing varicose veins?

There are a number of factors that can increase your likelihood of developing varicose veins, such as:

  • Age – As we age, veins can start to lose elasticity causing the valves to become less effective.
  • Genetics – You are more at risk of developing varicose veins if a close family member has the condition too.
  • Gender – Research suggests that women are more likely to be affected by varicose veins than men.
  • Weight – Being overweight can put increased pressure on the valves, making them more prone to leaking.
  • Occupation – Research suggests jobs that require long periods of standing may increase your risk of getting varicose veins.
  • Pregnancy – Being pregnancy can increase your risk of developing varicose veins due to the amount of blood in your body increasing, increased hormone levels and the pressure of the womb expanding.
  • Medical Conditions – Certain conditions can put you more at risk of varicose veins.

What are the best treatments for Varicose Veins

At The Private Clinic we offer a range minimally invasive varicose vein treatments are carried out in our Vascular hospitals under local anaesthetic and they include:

EVLA (Endovenous Laser Ablation) or Endovenous laser treatment

EVLA treatment locates the damaged vein with ultrasound, before using laser heat to collapse the wall of the vein and destroy the cause of the problem.

Sclerotherapy (Foam & Liquid)

Foam sclerotherapy is an injectable treatment that involves a foam sclerosing solution being injected into the affected veins to cause inflammation and push blood out of the area which will eventually close off the vein.

VenaSeal

VenaSeal treatment for varicose veins uses medical adhesive which is dispensed within the vein using a small catheter. The vein is closed, and the blood is re-routed through other healthy veins.

Phlebectomy

A phlebectomy procedure involves making very small incisions at the site of the affected veins allowing the varicose veins to be removed via a specialised tool.

varicose vein removal surgery before after photos resultsvaricose vein evla before after photos

Varicose Vein treatment at The Private Clinic

At the Private Clinic, we have over 35 years of experience providing the best and latest vein removal treatments and have treated over 7,000 patients concerned about their veins. We work with highly qualified consultant vascular surgeons who have extensive experience in their field.

  • We are able to offer some of the least invasive method for varicose veins and thread veins for your legs, body, and face.
  • No lengthy downtime or recovery required.
  • Our Consultant vascular surgeons are pioneers in EVLA (Endovenous Laser Ablation) and have treated thousands of patients.
  • We focus on the underlying cause of your veins and you will only see a Consultant Vascular surgeon for varicose veins.
  • The NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) Gold Standard for treatment of Varicose Veins findings shows that the success rate after five years for EVLA is 95.4%.
  • A consultation with one of our Consultant Vascular Surgeons costs £150, including a free ultrasound scan of your legs (usually priced between £350 and £450 at most clinics and private hospitals).
  • Treatment takes one hour; you can go home shortly after being treated.
  • We have been featured in several TV shows and press including Channel 4’s Embarrassing Bodies, TLC’s My Naked Secret and have been recently featured in Harper’s Bazaar’s Cosmetic Tweakment Trends for 2019.
  • We have been able to restore the confidence in many of our patients by avoiding health issues and achieving great results.
  • We are able to offer finance solutions with manageable payments to suit a variety of budgets.
  • View our extensive FAQs
  • See our previous patient stories
  • View varicose vein before and after photo results
  • View our varicose veins blogs for more information
  • Download our varicose vein treatment brochure

Our Expert Vascular Surgeons

Consultations are available at our vein clinics located across the UK

To find out more about varicose vein treatment or to book a veins consultation with any of our vascular surgeons call us on 0333 920 2471 or use our varicose vein online contact form.

How to prepare for your cosmetic surgery video consultation?

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Covid-19 has resulted in many cosmetic surgery clinic closures and we have had to quickly adapt to new ways of working to keep things running as smoothly as possible during lockdown.

We will be offering patients online video consultations with a select number of our surgeons to help you start your cosmetic surgery journey whilst staying safe at home.

A virtual consultation can feel imitating for patients, some may have only had experience speaking to those that they know such as family, friends, or colleagues over online video chat – and some may have had no experience at all.

We have put together a guide on how best to prepare for your cosmetic surgery video consultation to help you feel more comfortable.

  • Have a good and reliable internet connection.
  • Ideally you should use a laptop or desktop computer.
  • Make sure you are connected to a power supply or have sufficient battery.
  • Test that your camera and microphone are working ahead of the consultation.
  • Choose a private area where you are not going to be disturbed.
  • Make sure that the lighting is good, ideally coming from in front of you rather than behind.
  • Turn off any background noise such as a TV or radio.
  • Try and position yourself so you can be seen from the torso up.
  • Be prepared to show the area you would like treated (i.e for varicose veins wear shorts).
  • You may be asked to provide photos of the areas you would like treated ahead of the consultation, ensure that you have sent this over before the consultation is due to take place.
  • Have a list of questions ready to ask.
  • Have a pen and paper handy to take down any notes and important information.
  • Have your medical history ready to discuss.
  • Ensure that a chaperone is going to present provided by the clinic.
  • Feel free to have a family member or friend to sit in on the consultation for support.
  • Make sure that you have your login details ready before the consultation and contact the clinic if you are unsure of anything.

Logging In

You will be provided with your online video consultation login details and information before your consultation is due to take place. We have a virtual reception that you will be able to access at any time that has useful links to information about the procedure you are interested in, before and after photos, videos and FAQs.

Within the virtual reception is a check in button, this is where you will need to login ideally at least 5 minutes before your consultation is due to begin. Once you are logged in, you will be taken to a secure area to wait for your surgeon to join you.

Online video consultations at The Private Clinic

We are currently offering online video consultations for our Hair Transplant, Varicose Vein, Liposuction and Skin Rejuvenating treatments.

If you would like to find out more or to book a consultation, please contact us on, 0333 920 2471  or use our online contact form.

How much does the snoring operation cost?

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It has been reported that there are over 15 million snorers in the UK making it a very common complaint although it should not be considered as normal. Sometimes those who regular snore can experience pauses in breathing whilst they sleep which is known as obstructive sleep apnoea. Snoring can also come with a number of other health implicants such as putting you at a higher risk of heart disease and having a stroke. So, it is no wonder that the snoring treatment market is saturated with a large number of miracle cures to help.

How to stop snoring?

There are a number of things you can do yourself at home to help reduce snoring which includes:

  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Sleeping on your side
  • Avoiding caffeine and dairy before bed
  • Reduce alcohol and smoking consumption
  • Set yourself consistent sleep routine

View our 7 ways to stop snoring blog to find out more information on our top tips to stop snoring.

Treating snoring can be challenging and when trying to reduce the risk of sleep apnoea too, the best option is often to seek professional help to ensure that you are safe and going to get the best results.

At The Private Clinic we offer a revolutionary snoring surgery procedure known as LAUP (Laser Assisted Uvula Palatoplasty) which offers great success for many of our patients.

What is the snoring surgery procedure?

Laser assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) is a snoring treatment procedure that is performed under local anaesthetic in-clinic. The procedure involves using a laser to remove the edges of the soft palate and uvula to reduce the size and remove excess tissue from the throat. This helps to increase the size of the airways which will aid breathing whilst you are sleeping.

LAUP surgery is a very precise and tissue damage is minimal which makes is a much safer and more comfortable procedure compared to uvulopalatoplasty (UPPP) surgery.

How successful is snoring surgery?

Our LAUP snoring surgery is performed by Consultant ENT Surgeon, Professor Yves Kamami, who is the inventor of the LAUP (Laser Assisted Uvula Palatoplasty) procedure. Over 40,000 LAUP procedures have been performed in the UK and is often featured in media such as The Times.

Many patients find that their snoring is reduced immediately following the procedure, but we recommend that you allow a healing period which can take up to 6 weeks. Unlike UPPP procedures, LAUP can be performed more than once to help patients get the best results.

How much is snoring surgery?

A consultation with our Ears Nose and Throat (ENT) surgeon is £100.

Prices for our snoring treatments start from £1,980, depending on the type of treatment.

Is snoring surgery covered by insurance?

Generally, snoring surgery is not considered a medical problem and surgery to treat it is often classed as cosmetic, so it is not often covered by insurance.

At The Private Clinic we offer self-pay snoring surgery treatments to help improve your quality of sleep, allow you to breath easier and stop snoring. We also offer a selection of finance packages to suit all budgets.

Snoring surgery at The Private Clinic

The Private Clinic prides itself on ensuring you have the best quality and most comprehensive care:

  • Consultation with a Consultant ENT Surgeon.
  • Minimally invasive snoring procedure.
  • No general anaesthetic needed, and no hospital stay.
  • Treatment takes just 15 minutes under local anaesthetic
  • Minimum downtime, normal activity can be resumed quickly
  • 24-hour patient helpline to ensure you are always in the best of hands.
  • As many post-operative care and appointments with your surgeon, doctor and nursing team as required.
  • One-year cover for all surgical, hospital and nursing care, in case of any medical issue giving you peace of mind*.
  • Comprehensive patient information, every step of the way
  • Outstanding clinic facilities.
  • Competitively priced for our expertise and experience.
  • With over 35 years’ experience of Cosmetic medical Excellence, you are in safe hands.
  • Our excellent reputation for patient safety and satisfaction, honest advice and outstanding care means your journey with The Private Clinic will be an exciting experience.

Consultations and treatment for snoring take place at our London Harley Street clinic.

To find out more or to book a consultation please call 0333 920 2471 or use our snoring treatment online contact form.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) gives The Private Clinic good & outstanding in their latest visit

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We are delighted to have passed with a Good rating and Outstanding commendations in our latest CQC inspections for Manchester, Birmingham and The London Fitzroy Hospital. The Private Clinic always strives to provide patients with a quality service. Please find a full explanation below of the great work the CQC does to ensure that patients receive the best standard of care.

What is CQC?

CQC stands for Care Quality Commission and they are an independent regulator of health and adult social care in England. It is the CQC’s job to ensure that health and social care establishments are providing people with safe, effective, compassionate and high-quality care.

Why is the CQC important?

When you are accredited by the CQC it means that as a care provider you are meeting all of the standards that have been set out by the CQC which are also approved by the government and NHS. When it comes to choosing a clinic, you will be able to differentiate between average to excellent health providers.

What are the CQC standards?

The key areas that the CQC looks out for are categorised into 13 categories that form CQC’s Fundamental Standards.

  1. Person-centred care

The care and treatment must be appropriate and reflect service users’ needs and preferences.

  1. Dignity and Respect

The patients must be treated with dignity and respect.

  1. Consent

The care and treatment must only be provided with consent.

  1. Safety

The care and treatment offered by the clinic must be provided in a safe way.

  1. Safeguarding from abuse

All patients must be protected from abuse and improper treatment.

  1. Food and drink

The patients’ nutritional and hydration needs must be met.

  1. Premises and equipment

All premises and equipment used must be clean, secure, suitable and used properly.

  1. Complaints

All complaints must be appropriately investigated, and appropriate action taken in response.

  1. Good governance

Clinic systems and processes must be established to ensure compliance with the fundamental standards.

  1. Staffing

There must be sufficient numbers of suitably qualified, competent, skilled and experienced staff deployed.

  1. Fit and proper staff

All persons employed must be of good character, have the necessary qualifications, skills and experience, and be able to perform the work for which they are employed.

  1. Duty of candour

All registered persons must be open and transparent with service users about their care and treatment.

  1. Display of ratings

The provider must display CQC ratings in a public place. They must also include this information on their website and make their CQC reports available to the patient.

What are the CQC ratings?

There are 4 levels of CQC ratings:

  • Outstanding – The service is performing exceptionally well.
  • Good – The service is performing well and meeting our expectations.
  • Requires improvement – The service is not performing as well as it should, and CQC have told the service how it must improve.
  • Inadequate – The service is performing badly, and action has been taken against the person or organisation that runs it.

A CQC inspection will grade the clinic on 5 key inspection areas; Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-Led and an overall score will then be awarded.

Why does a clinic need a CQC registration?

All health and social care providers must be registered with the Care Quality Commission otherwise they will be committing an offence. The CQC also offers advice to all of its registered clinics to help you ensure that you are following the correct protocol and a professional service.

CQC The Private Clinic

The Private Clinic is fully registered with the Care Quality Commission and since opening our doors in 1983, our clinics nationwide have passed numerous unannounced and announced CQC inspections. We are proud that we have received on a number of occasions commendations for the quality of our high standards. The Private Clinic are always striving for the best in quality and care.

All surgeons that work for us in our CQC registered clinics are also registered with the General Medical Council which is a public body that maintains an official register of all medical practitioners within the United Kingdom.

Our clinics in Birmingham and Manchester have recently had CQC Reports and have both passed with GOOD and OUTSTANDING commendation ratings.

CQC 2020 report for The Private Clinic Birmingham

Our Birmingham clinic was awarded an overall rating of GOOD and achieved an OUTSTANDING rating in our quality of care. Our medical and administrative teams work very hard to ensure these excellent results.

See the full CQC clinic Birmingham report here

CQC 2020 report for The Private Clinic Manchester

Our Manchester Clinic achieved an overall score of GOOD after achieving good in safe, effective, well led and responsive and a score of OUTSTANDING in caring and this can be seen in the dedicated hard work from the team.

See the full CQC clinic Manchester report here

CQC 2019 report for The Private Clinic London Fitzroy Hospital

 Our London Fitzroy Hospital achieved a GOOD CQC score in June 2019. We purposely built The Fitzroy hospital in 2016 and so to be recognised for being a safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led hospital has been very rewarding. Our word of mouth score of 96% also reinforces our aims to ensure every patients journey is an outstanding one.

See full CQC clinic The Fitzroy London Hospital report here

If you would like to make an appointment for Plastic Surgery including Breast, Facial and Body surgery, Varicose Vein Removal, Hair Transplant Procedures, Skin Rejuvenation, Vaser Liposuction and Body Contouring or Bunion Surgery please contact us on 0333 920 2471 or use our online contact form.

We have clinics nationwide in London Harley Street, Birmingham, Bristol, Buckinghamshire, Leeds, Manchester and Northampton.

What is the most effective form of lipo?

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Liposuction or lipo is one of the most popular body contouring procedures available in the cosmetic surgery sector. It is able to effectively remove stubborn areas of fat that have been resistant to diet and exercise and re-contour the body to give a more balanced and improved physique.

What you may not know is that there is more than one type of liposuction and the most effective form of lipo for you will ultimately depend on your expectations from surgery.

Vaser Lipo

Vaser liposuction is one of our most commonly performed liposuction options. It is our least invasive form of fat removal which is performed under local anaesthetic with sedation and no overnight hospital stay is required.

The technique involves using ultrasound energy to liquefy the fat cells before they are then removed through a gentle suction process. It is suitable to be performed on areas such as the buttocks crease, hips, thighs, abdomen, upper arms and chest.

Vaser lipo downtime?

Overall, we recommend that patients allow 2-3 weeks of general recovery from their vaser liposuction procedure. This recommendation is purely to allow for any discomfort, bruising or swelling to settle. Many patients are able to return to their daily activities such as work within 2-3 days, but exercise and other strenuous activities should be avoided for at least 3 weeks to allow the body to heal.

Vaser lipo when will I see results?

The results from vaser liposuction can be seen straight away however patients are required to wear compression garments and will experience swelling. The results are best seen from 5-6 weeks following the procedure.

Vaser Hi-Def

Vaser Hi-Def liposuction is a variation of the vaser lipo technique. This procedure is best suited for patients who are looking for a more athletic result. The procedure works by removing both superficial and deep fat layers that surround the muscle groups which then helps to enhance the visibility of underlying toning and musculature. The results are impressive and are commonly performed on the abdomen and chest.

Vaser hi-def downtime?

Following vaser hi-def, patients should aim to allow 3-5 days before returning to work and 2-3 weeks before continuing with any exercise or strenuous activities.

Vaser hi-def when will I see results?

The results from vaser hi-def are best seen 2-6 weeks following the procedure, these results will then continue to develop over 4-6 months.

Vaser Mid-Def

Vaser Mid-Def liposuction is a more subtle version of the vaser hi-def technique. It is the ideal option for patients who are still looking to increase the definition seen in their results but with a softer finish. For this procedure, the results are more down to the overall reduction in body fat rather than the precise fat removal surrounding the muscles.

Vaser mid-def downtime?

We recommend that patients take 3-5 days off work to recover from their vaser mid-def procedure. Exercise and strenuous activities should also be avoided for 2-3 weeks after the procedure.

Vaser mid-def when will I see results?

The results from vaser mid-def are best seen 2-6 weeks following the procedure, these results will then continue to develop over 4-6 months.

Micro Lipo

Micro Liposuction is liposuction that uses a much smaller cannula that is best suited for patients who are only looking to treat small areas of the body. The cannulas used are 0.9mm to 3mm wide and can remove up to 3.5 litres of fat from the abdomen, arms, thighs, knees, flanks and male chest.

Micro lipo downtime?

MicroLipo involves minimal downtime and many patients are able to return to their daily routine almost immediately. Patients often only require 1-2 days off work and a gentle exercise schedule can be resumed after 7 days with guidance from their surgeon.

Micro lipo when will I see results?

You will notice a change to the areas treated immediately after the procedure, but it can take up to 3-4 weeks to see the real results from micro lipo.

Surgical Liposuction

Surgical liposuction, liposculpture, suction-assisted lipectomy or traditional liposuction is the original form of liposuction. It is usually performed under general anaesthetic and uses a suction technique to remove fat from the body. It is often performed at the same time as another plastic surgery procedure such as a tummy tuck.

Surgical liposuction downtime?

The downtime for surgical liposuction will always vary from patient to patient. It is standard protocol that all exercise and strenuous activities are avoided for several weeks following surgery, but many patients are able to return to work after 1-2 weeks depending on their job role. Overall, we say to allow 10 days to recover from any discomfort, swelling or bruising.

Surgical liposuction when will I see results?

You are likely to see results immediately after surgery. The majority of patients are able to see great results after 6 weeks, but the final results of your procedure are best seen 6-12 months afterwards once all swelling has resolved.

Different types of Lipo before and after photos

liposuction for women thighs before after photo results

vaser liposuction male abdomen chest reduction before after

surgical liposuction for women back before after photo results

surgical liposuction love handles flanks before after photos results

liposuction for women abdomen tummy thighs legs flanks hips before after photo results

vaser liposuction male abdomen before after photo

micro lipo buttock reshaping liposuction before after photos

vaser lipo high definition before and after photo

Why choose The Private Clinic?

  • We are the UK’s leading provider of VASER Liposuction for men and women
  • Highly experienced surgeons and doctors who have years of experience in vaser liposuction
  • One-year cover for all surgical, hospital and nursing care, in case of any medical issue giving you peace of mind.
  • 24-hour patient helpline to ensure you are always in the best of hands.
  • We perform over 1,300 liposuction and body contouring procedures a year and have performed more vaser liposuction procedures than any other clinic in the UK.
  • As many post-operative care appointments with your surgeon, doctor and nursing team as required.
  • Comprehensive patient information, every step of the way.
  • Outstanding hospital and clinic facilities.
  • With over 35 years’ experience of Cosmetic medical Excellence, you are in expert hands.
  • Our excellent reputation for patient safety and satisfaction, honest advice and outstanding care means your journey with The Private Clinic will be an exciting experience to a newfound shape.
  • View our vaser liposuction before and after photos
  • View our micro lipo before and after photos
  • View our surgical lipo before and after photos
  • View our extensive vaser liposuction FAQs
  • View our extensive surgical lipo FAQs
  • View our micro lipo FAQs
  • Find out more information in our liposuction blogs

We are able to offer liposuction consultations at our clinics nationwide:

*Consultations with a patient coordinator only

Vaser & MicroLipo Liposuction Surgeons and Doctors

Surgical Liposuction Surgeons and Doctors

To find out more about liposuction surgery or to book a consultation, please call 0333 920 2471 or you can also use our online contact form for liposuction surgery.

What is the best surgery for Varicose Veins?

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Varicose veins can be unsightly and uncomfortable to those that have them but seeking treatment can be a challenge. In the majority of cases, varicose vein surgery is not performed on the NHS so if you are looking for varicose vein surgery, you are going to need to go private.

At The Private Clinic, we offer patients the best varicose vein operation choices. All of our varicose vein procedures are performed as non-surgical treatments and they include EVLA (Endovenous Laser Ablation) or Endovenous laser treatment, Sclerotherapy (Foam & Liquid), VenaSeal and Phlebectomy.

EVLA (Endovenous Laser Ablation) has been rated the Gold Standard for treatment of Varicose Veins by NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) and is always our first choice when selecting varicose vein surgery for our patients. Varicose vein laser surgery is suitable for the vast majority of patients with varicose veins no matter how short or wide the veins are.

VenaSeal is a great option for patients who are needle phobic. The treatment only requires a single injection per vein and it also has a short recovery period with many patients returning to work and exercise a lot sooner and there is also no requirement to wear compression stockings after treatment.

Foam sclerotherapy is a great minimally invasive technique for mild cases of varicose veins, but it can require more than one treatment for the best results.

Phlebectomy surgery is not commonly performed but is often a preferred choice by our vascular surgeons if the veins are sitting close to the surface of the skin. It does require very small incisions to be made on the leg to perform a keyhole varicose vein removal however these do not require stitches and it is all performed under local anaesthetic.

Varicose Vein Surgery Recovery

One of the biggest deciding factors on having varicose vein surgery is the recovery time.

Traditionally varicose vein surgery was carried out via a vein stripping method which has now been discouraged. The vein stripping method often required 3 weeks to recover before returning to work and everyday activities and patients were often in a lot of pain following surgery.

Our range of minimally invasive varicose vein procedures all have much shorter recovery times with Varicose Vein laser surgery recovery taking as little as 24 hours.

How long-time off work following varicose vein removal?

Patients who have had EVLA, VenaSeal and Foam Sclerotherapy procedures often feel able to return to work the next day. Those that had a Phlebectomy often require a few additional days to recover.

Our expert vascular surgeons do advise that strenuous exercise is avoided for at least 5 days and it should then be returned to at a gradual pace to avoid unnecessary injury.

But overall, patients are encouraged to stay active throughout their recovery and we feel this gives the best results.

Varicose vein surgery before and after photos

varicose veins london venaseal patient story review before after photos

varicose veins leg treatment laser before after photos

varicose vein removal surgery legs before after photos results

best varicose vein clinic removal surgery before after photos results

best varicose vein removal surgery evla before after photos results

Varicose vein surgery at The Private Clinic

The Private Clinic has clinics nationwide:

Expert Vascular Surgeons

To find out more about the best varicose vein removal treatments available for you call 0333 920 2471 or use our online varicose veins contact form to make a consultation.