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Do I need to treat my varicose veins?

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Varicose veins usually develop when the small valves inside the veins stop working properly. They appear as lumpy or bulging veins usually on the legs and they may be dark purple or blue in colour. Varicose veins affect many people in the UK but many people choose to ignore their veins rather than seeking treatment. Varicose veins are not only an unsightly nuisance but they are also potential health hazards putting you at risk of blood clots, ulcers and swelling as well as venous disease.

What are the Consequences of untreated Varicose Veins?

Many patients who don’t treat their varicose veins will just experience continued symptoms of pain, fatigue and swelling of the legs or ankles. But some patients can go on to develop advanced medical problems including hyperpigmentation, lipodermatosclerosis, venous leg ulcers, spontaneous bleeding, superficial thrombophlebitis, and a potentially life-threatening condition called deep vein thrombosis

While not all varicose veins are dangerous, they should be evaluated and monitored by a vein specialist to ensure that treatment is advised when symptoms for any of the below issues are apparent.

Skin Discolouration / Pigmentation

Varicose veins that have had a period of time to progress untreated can lead to pigmentation appearing as brownish or blue skin discoloration.

Blood Clots / Superficial Thrombophlebitis

Varicose veins can cause blood in the veins to pool leading to stagnant blood flow which then clots in the insufficient vein. These blood clots can then travel to other parts of the body blocking blood flow which can then result in serious medical issues. Superficial thrombophlebitis is also caused by blood clots within the veins which can result in redness with painful hard lumps sitting beneath the skin.

Ulcers

Varicose veins can cause venous ulcers or open sores which can be painful, cause your leg to swell and are often difficult to heal. Open sores on the legs can result in infection so we recommend getting both these and your varicose veins treated as soon as possible to reduce the risk of this.

Spontaneous Bleeding

Untreated varicose veins have an increased risk of sudden bleeding. This is because over time they can become bigger and there is a high amount of pressure which can cause the veins to spontaneously burst and bleed heavily. The high pressure involved in varicose veins can cause the bleed to be very dramatic and in some cases a stitch or other medical treatment to ensure that the patient does not continue to loose what could be a large amount of blood.  It does not take much to cause spontaneous bleeding, simply brushing against the edge of a piece of furniture or even scrubbing your skin too hard in the bath or shower can cause a varicose vein to burst.

Lipodermatosclerosis

This skin condition occurs most commonly on the lower leg affecting people who have a venous insufficiency. Lipodermatosclerosis is when there is an inflammation in the layer of fatty tissue beneath the skin. It can cause your skin to become red, painful and swollen with hardening of the skin.

Deep Vein Thrombosis / Pulmonary Embolism

If you have varicose veins then you are unfortunately at a greater risk of developing DVT (deep vein thrombosis). DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) is when a blood clot forms in a deep leg vein, it can cause pain and swelling and can lead to more severe conditions such as a pulmonary embolism. A pulmonary embolism occurs when a section of the blood clot breaks off and works its way into the bloodstream and blocks one of the blood vessels in the lungs. Together, DVT and pulmonary embolism are known as venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Varicose Vein Treatment at The Private Clinic

When you have a consultation for Varicose Veins at The Private Clinic, our expert consultant vascular surgeons will perform a free ultrasound scan of your legs to look for underlying issues like the ones mentioned above.

Expert Vascular Surgeons

Our specialised team at our Varicose Vein clinics are here to reduce the risks and side effects from having varicose veins by offering a range of varicose vein treatments such as Phlebectomy, Foam Sclerotherapy, VenaSeal and the Gold Standard treatment for varicose veins EVLA (Endovenous Laser Ablation).

varicose veins removal treatment evla laser procedure before after photosvaricose veins treatment evla laser removal procedure before after photos

Why choose The Private Varicose Vein Clinic?

  • The least invasive method for varicose veins and thread veins removal treatment for your legs, body and face.
  • Our Consultant vascular surgeons are pioneers in EVLA (Endovenous Laser Ablation) and have treated thousands of patients.
  • No lengthy downtime or recovery required.
  • 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).
  • We focus on the underlying cause of your veins and you will only see a Consultant Vascular surgeon for varicose veins.
  • We have treated thousands of patients who have regained their confidence whilst avoiding health issues.
  • Treatment takes one hour; you can go home shortly after being treated.
  • Owing to our success, we have been featured on Channel 4’s Embarrassing Bodies and TLC’s My Naked Secret
  • We have carried out over 7,000 procedures in treating Veins.
  • View our varicose vein before and after result photos.
  • Read our extensive varicose vein FAQs.
  • Hear from previous patients in our varicose vein patient stories.
  • Find out more in our varicose vein blogs.
  • Download our varicose veins treatment brochure.

If you are suffering from varicose veins and would like to speak to someone about the treatments we have available please call our Varicose vein clinic number 0333 920 2471 or click here to make an appointment in one of our Varicose Vein clinics located in:

If you are suffering from varicose veins and would like to speak to someone about the treatments we have available please call 0333 920 2471 or click here to make an appointment.

Pre and Post Op Varicose Vein Treatment (EVLA) FAQs

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When booking in for any type of procedure you will give a list of pre-treatment instructions to follow in the weeks leading up to your treatment date. For the majority of us we are just used to following these instructions but you shouldn’t be afraid of asking why. In this blog we are looking at some of the EVLA treatment instructions pre and post treatment and answering that very question: why?

EVLA or Endovenous Laser Ablation is minimally invasive method of destroying dysfunctional varicose veins. The treatment is performed under local anaesthetic and involves locating the damaged vein with ultrasound before using laser heat to collapse the wall of the vein and destroy the root cause of the problem.

Pre Varicose Vein Treatment

Let your surgeon and his/her team know if you are taking oral contraceptive pills

Why?

Some birth control pills can increase your risk of clotting. It is important that you inform your surgeon that you are taking them and the type on your medical history form. It is unusual that you will be asked to stop taking them for the purpose of this type of procedure, but you may be given a higher dose of premedication to prevent clot formation (DVT) in the legs after the procedure.

Do not apply creams or lotions to your leg before treatment

Why?

You will be instructed not to apply any type of moisturizer, sunblock or oil to your legs on the day of your procedure and advised to shower the morning before your treatment too. This is to ensure that your legs are clean, lotions on the skin have the potential to carry germs and bacteria that may promote infection. We want the area being treated to be sterile so having a shower the day of your surgery and not using any lotions afterwards will help ensure this. We also advise that you refrain from shaving your legs the day of your procedure; this is to reduce any razer burn irritation when the sterilizing wash is applied to your legs before surgery.

Wear loose trousers and shoes/or bring spare.

Why?

After you have had your EVLA treatment you will be bandaged up in an assortment of both bandages and compression stockings and your legs may swelled slightly too. This results in your legs being a little wider than they were when you first came in, so those skinny jeans are not going to go back on easily! We advise either coming in loose clothing or bringing a spare set that you can easily change into to go home in.

Make sure that you have had something to eat and drink before the procedure.

Why?

This procedure is performed under local anaesthetic so you do not need to fast beforehand as if you were going under general anaesthetic. It is advisable to have a light breakfast or lunch before your procedure for example; tea and toast or a sandwich and soft drink. You might feel faint or sick after your procedure if you do not eat or drink as instructed.

Post Varicose Vein Treatment

Resume normal activities immediately after treatment including walking

Why?

You may have been excited to get home and spend a few days with your feet up post-op but this is not the case! We always tell our patients to be up and about post treatment to get the circulation in the legs going and reduce any risk of DVT for example. A short 15-20 minute walk 3-4 times a day is more beneficial rather than a long march.

Wear compression stockings for the prescribed amount of time

Why?

Compression stockings are not the most attractive of garments we agree, but they are so important to aid your recovery post treatment. Wearing your stockings decreases the risk of blood clots developing in the leg, which is known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Wearing the stocking also helps keep the treated vein from re-opening so make sure you wear it day and night until advised otherwise.

Avoid vigorous gym workouts, hot baths or excessive sun.

Why?

We mentioned before about keeping active whilst recovering after EVLA but that doesn’t mean you should head back to the gym the very next day. Vigorous workouts such as weight lifting, cycling, jogging or running should be avoided for at least 72 hours as the increased pressure caused by bearing down can push blood back into the treated vein therefore undoing the treatment.

Hot baths,  hot tubs and swimming pools should also be avoided for a week post treatment as exposing an already inflamed area to heat can increase the inflammation and cause dilation of small vessels in that area. There is also a risk of infection to healing wounds from hot tubs and swimming pools so we would again recommend you avoid these for at least 4-5 days. You may shower and clean the treated leg, but try to avoid submerging the leg in water. Use a plastic bin bag or cling film to prevent the treated leg from getting wet.

Sun exposure should be avoided for 2 weeks post treatment; the tissues are inflamed as part of the natural healing reaction. Direct sun exposure could stimulate the pigment cells in the areas and result in the area appearing more pigmented and so we would advise keeping your legs covered and/or using a high factor sun cream which our skin experts in clinic will be able to advise you on.

Summary

These are just some of the pre and post op instructions you will be given. The full list will be discussed during your consultation and given to you once you book your treatment and of course – if you want to question any of them not covered here – just give us a call!

Varicose Vein Removal at The Private Clinic

We have over 35 years’ experience in offering the most advanced, minimally invasive treatments for all types of veins. Our Consultant vascular surgeons are pioneers in EVLA (Endovenous Laser Ablation) and have treated thousands of patients. EVLA is considered the Gold Standard of treatment for varicose veins by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE). We are able to offer competitively priced, walk-in walk-out procedures performed in one of our widely recognised in-house clinical facilities by some of the Country’s top Consultant Vascular Surgeons.

  • The least invasive method for varicose veins and thread veins removal treatment for your legs, body and face.
  • Our Consultant vascular surgeons are pioneers in EVLA(Endovenous Laser Ablation) and have treated thousands of patients.
  • No lengthy downtime or recovery required.
  • The NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) Gold Standard for treatment of Varicose Veins findings show 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).
  • We focus on the underlying cause of your veins and you will only see a Consultant Vascular surgeon for varicose veins.
  • We have treated thousands of patients who have regained their confidence whilst avoiding health issues.
  • Treatment takes one hour, you can go home shortly after being treated.
  • Owing to our success, we have been featured on Channel 4’s Embarrassing Bodies, TLC’s My Naked Secret and featured in Harper’s Bazaar’s Cosmetic Tweakment Trends for 2019.
  • We have carried out over 7,000 procedures in treating Veins.
  • View our varicose vein before and after photo gallery.
  • Read our extensive varicose vein FAQs
  • Hear from previous patients in our varicose vein patient stories
  • Find out more information in our varicose vein blogs
  • Download our varicose vein treatment brochure

Our Expert Vascular Surgeons

We are one of the UK’s most recognised, specialist varicose vein clinics with nationwide locations:

To find out more or to book a consultation you can call 0333 920 2471 or use our Varicose Vein online contact form.

Understanding the difference between Thread and Varicose Veins

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In order to work properly, veins are equipped with valves that help our blood flow in the correct direction without backtracking, but when those valves fail, then Thread and Varicose Veins can form.

The easiest way to understand how veins work is by comparing them to trees.

The Roots

The largest vein in your body connects straight to the heart and is known as the vena cava. There are two of them, the superior one, which carries blood from the upper body, and the one we’re interested in, which carries blood from the legs – the inferior vena cava.
vein anatomy

The Trunk

The femoral vein is connected to the inferior vena cava and is the longest vein in your body, spanning the length of both your legs. These are paired with an artery and lie deep within groups of muscles. They are connected to superficial veins by perforator veins, which are an essential part of the blood drainage system.

The Branches

Superficial veins like the saphenous veins are the ones that lie closest to the skin and are subject to becoming varicose. They carry less blood than deep veins and play an important part in cooling the body. These veins become varicose when their valves stop functioning properly, causing blood to pool and the vein to become large and swollen.

Varicose Veins are usually blue or purple, with a torturous, raised pattern. They can become itchy, cause you discomfort when walking and they can also be painful. Despite the limitations they can impose on a person, the NHS won’t usually treat them despite a change in guidelines in 2013, but in 10% of cases, those who leave their Varicose Veins untreated end up developing venous ulcers, which cause chronic leg wounds and can be rather painful.

Varicose Veins copy

The Leaves

The smallest of superficial veins that extend from far larger ones are known as Thread Veins or Spider Veins. These are tiny blood vessels that often appear in blue and red clusters of thin lines. They aren’t raised like Varicose Veins and since they don’t hurt, their removal is often seen as a cosmetic procedure. However, the Edinburgh Vein Study (2000) showed that 30% of those with Thread Veins ended up developing Varicose veins.

Varicose Vein Treatments

To treat Varicose Veins you used to have to rely on Vein Stripping and go under general anaesthesia to have unwanted veins forcefully removed from your body. Not pleasant.

In fact, the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) changed its guidelines in July 2013 to recommend for Vein Stripping (75.7% success rate) to only be used in rare cases, and that instead, such veins should preferably be treated by EVLA (95.4% success rate), which stands for Endovenous Laser Ablation.

Before and after EVLA treatment
Before and after EVLA treatment.

During the procedure, a very thin laser-tipped fibre is inserted and guided through your veins to the very edge of the unhealthy one. As the fibre is pulled back, the laser tip works to collapse the vein’s walls so that the whole of it is eradicated all the way down to its deep vein source. By removing that whole branch completely to ensure that the trunk only directs nourishment to the remaining healthy branches – thus nipping the problem right in the bud.

At The Private Clinic we also offer VenaSeal treatment which uses a medical adhesive to close varicose veins. This is a great treatment for patients who have a needle phobia as VenaSeal only requires a single injection per vein. An ultrasound is used to guide the small catheter through the affected veins which dispenses small amounts of medical grade Sapheon Glue. The vein will then close and be gradually absorbed by the body.

We also have foam scelerotherapy and phelebectomy treatments available for those that are not suitable for EVLA or VenaSeal treatments.

Thread Vein Treatments

Thread Veins are too small for this kind of treatment and instead Sclerotherapy or laser treatments such as CoolGlide or Intense Pulsed Light treatment (IPL) are used. Sclerotherapy involves injecting a solution into the small veins to force them to collapse while thread vein laser treatment directs intense light at thread veins which causes the blood within them to coagulate and divert back into veins located deeper below the surface of the skin.

Before and after treatment for Thread Veins.
Before and after treatment for Thread Veins.

We also offer treatments for facial thread veins and under eye thread veins.

Vein Treatments at The Private Clinic

We’ve pioneered the use of EVLA treatments and are proud to say that we are one of the UK’s most recognised vein treatment centres.

Expert Vascular Surgeons

We offer vein treatment consultations at our London Harley Street, Birmingham, Buckinghamshire, Bexhill, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester and Northampton clinics and consultation rooms.

To find out more about vein treatments or to book a consultation, please call 0333 920 2471 or use our vein online contact form.

The Private Clinic, Glasgow: Treatments

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This might be our furthermost clinic, but it’s a cultural hub full of life, art and beautiful architecture that’s reminiscent of London, where our first clinic was established. Since Glasgow has so much to offer, we’ve selected a range of treatments that we hope will help alleviate the pressures of daily life (and the weather!), as well as to make you feel as stunning as the city’s nighttime skyline.

We have over 35 years of experience in minimally invasive cosmetic treatments behind us and pride ourselves in pioneering treatments that have been proven to deliver effective results. Our careful selection process means that we have some of the most renowned and trustworthy industry experts working with us, meaning that you’re sure to be given honest and dependable advice, without any obligation.

There’s a range of walk-in-walk-out treatments that don’t require any general anaesthetic, with some of them being completely exclusive to our Glasgow clinic.

FACE

Anti-Ageing and Rejuvenation: We’re proud to say that we have Scotland’s longest established cosmetic doctor working with us. Known to many as ‘Scotland’s Lip King’, Dr Simon Connolly MBChB. GMC Number: 3068292 has such an impressive resume and portfolio in aesthetic treatments that you’d be hard-pressed to find someone else with his amount of expertise anywhere else in the country.

He’s shared his vast knowledge with our team and together they are able to offer you world-class cosmetic treatments at our dermal filler clinic. Naturally, we’re a big hit when it comes to temporary Dermal Filler treatments, which see a natural acid – that can be produced by the body – injected into areas of the face to restore or volume to it These usually cost between £250-£400 but it’s best to call for definitive pricing. Current fashion trends have particularly seen a huge rise in fillers being used to plump up lips – and as you know by now, that’s what Dr Connolly’s known for. However, he also specialises in the 8 Point Lift (or Fluid Facelift), which is a non-surgical Facelift that involves filler injections at precise points of your face.

Before and after lip augmentation

Equally popular is the use of Wrinkle Relaxing Injections, and in an unregulated industry that has seen terrible cases of cheap, ‘back-room-Botox’, we’re able to offer you the highest standard of treatment for reasonable prices. These injections serve to hinder your muscles’ impulses and help them settle in order to smooth out any deep wrinkles or lines.

Depending on the extent of scarring and damage to your skin, we have three different treatments on offer to help with your skin tone and texture. First of all, there are Chemical Peels that act to clear your face of dead skin cells, giving way to an underlying, healthier and more youthful layer of skin. Then there’s IPL Photorejuvenation , which uses intense light technology to smooth out any discolouration and tone irregularities of your skin, with the added advantage of being customisable to different skin types.

Acne: Dr Connolly holds a degree in Dermatology, so he and his team can create a tailor-made course of treatments for you, designed to rid your skin of acne-causing bacteria. A combination of treatments, including products and peels, will be used to appease your acne and you’ll be advised on a sustainable home skin treatment routine to keep the acne from returning. You will also be able to get advice on acne scar removal treatment available at our Glasgow skin clinic.

CONSULTATIONS

As well as offering consultations for FUE Hair Transplants, you can also see us if you’re interested in one of our Plastic Surgery procedures, or one of our renowned minimally-invasive Liposuction treatments.

We have a Trustpilot 9.4, 5 star rating and 96% of patients would recommend us to their friends and family. We are also a multi award winning provider voted the Aesthetic award for Best UK Clinic Group 2017 and MyFaceMyBody Best Cosmetic Surgery Practice 2018.

Our Glasgow clinic is close to the centre of Glasgow easily commutable from the surrounding areas of; Glasgow city, Hillhead, Hyndland, Jordanhill, Kelvindale, Kelvinside, Knightswood, Shawlands, Milngavie, Bearsden, Newlands, Mount Florida, Strathbungo, Partick, Park District, Linthouse and Mansewood.

For details on any of these treatments please get in touch with the clinic on 0141 332 0303.

We look forward to seeing you!

Winter is coming… and it’s the best time of year for treating Varicose Veins

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It’s cold, rainy and murky these days, but it does give us a good excuse to stay at home and wrap ourselves up in cocoons made out of soft blankets and fluffy duvets. While the cold weather may not be particularly welcome, it is the ideal time of the year for a Varicose Veins treatment.

lodon phone booth

Okay – treating your problematic veins may not be at the top of your Christmas list, but if you do suffer from them, you know how uncomfortable and unsightly they can get. Because you have to wear compression stockings following treatment it means that the cold weather suddenly becomes your ally. So, you might as well treat yourself and make the most out of the chilly temperatures.

What are the different Varicose Vein treatments?

Varicose Veins are large swollen veins usually found on the legs. They appear when vein walls dilate and the valves that regulate blood circulation malfunction, causing blood to backtrack on its trajectory and collect inside.

varicose vein what do they look like

We specialise treating Varicose Veins and have some of the UK’s leading Consultant Vascular Surgeons working with us. When suitable, we recommend treating varicose veins with Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) (The Gold Star treatment, recognised by NICE) as it is a minimally invasive method that offers a success rate over 95%. Ultrasound is used to locate the vein, the walls of which are then made to collapse using laser heat, thus eliminating the root of the problem.

Before and after Varicose Vein treatment at The Private Clinic.

We do work on a case-by-case basis though, so we also offer VenaSeal, Foam Sclerotherapy and Phlebectomy treatments. The first sees medical adhesive being used to close the vein, this technique is ideal for patients with a needle phobia as it only requires a single injection per vein and has a quick recovery time too. Foam sclerotherapy treatment involves a foam solution being injected into the vein to irritate the blood vessels lining and force it to swell and shut, causing the blood to clot. Lastly, a Phlebectomy involves the use of a fine needle or scalpel to remove a vein via micro incisions which is ideal for patients with large bulging veins close to the surface of the skin. All of our varicose vein treatments are performed under local anaesthetic. We do not offer vein stripping at any of our specialist vein clinics.

Will I need to wear compression stockings?

In the majority of cases, we always recommend wearing compression stockings following varicose vein removal surgery. They’re designed to help increase blood circulation and work by steadily squeezing your legs from the ankle upward, loosening gradually. They act to ease swelling, pain and discomfort. After Sclerotherapy, the slight pressure helps keeps the walls of the treated veins close to each other, making it easier for your body to break them down. Without them, the veins might fill back up with blood, making the procedure far less effective.

There are different sizes and pressures available, but keep in mind that getting the fitting right is essential for the stockings to be effective. Your doctor will advise you on which ones to use and how long you’ll have to wear them for.

Because of their tightness and length, compression stockings can get somewhat uncomfortable during hot weather, which is why wearing them during the winter months is more pragmatic. Plus, the layered styles of the season mean that the stockings can easily be disguised under clothing, with the added advantage of keeping you warm. Best of all, by the time people start flashing their legs again, any swelling or bruising will have disappeared and you’ll be able to strut around confidently once more.

winter fireplace

Why choose The Private Clinic for Varicose Vein Removal?

  • The least invasive methods for varicose veins and thread veins removal treatment for your legs, body and face.
  • Our Consultant vascular surgeons are pioneers in EVLA(Endovenous Laser Ablation) and have treated thousands of patients.
  • No lengthy downtime or recovery required.
  • The NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) Gold Standard for treatment of Varicose Veins findings show 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).
  • We focus on the underlying cause of your veins and you will only see a Consultant Vascular surgeon for varicose veins.
  • We have treated thousands of patients who have regained their confidencewhilst avoiding health issues.
  • Treatment takes one hour, you can go home shortly after being treated.
  • Owing to our success, we have been featured on Channel 4’s Embarrassing Bodies , TLC’s My Naked Secret and featured in Harper’s Bazaar’s Cosmetic Tweakment Trends for 2019.
  • We have carried out over 7,000 procedures in treating Veins.
  • View our varicose vein before and after photos.
  • Read our extensive varicose vein FAQs.
  • Take a look at our varicose vein patient stories.
  • Find out more information in our varicose vein blogs.
  • Download our varicose veins brochure.

We offer Varicose Veins consultations at our nationwide clinics in London Harley Street, Bexhill, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester and Northampton with one of our consultant vascular specialists.

Expert Vascular Surgeons

To find out more about varicose vein treatments at The Private Clinic or to book a consultation, please call 0333 920 2471 or use our Varicose Vein online contact form.

Pregnancy and Varicose Veins

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Pregnancy can you an amazing experience for many expectant mothers, and although the list of changes that your body goes through is extensive, we’re going to stick to the things we specialise in right here at The Private Clinic; in this case: Varicose Veins.

What are Varicose Veins?

As your blood travels through your veins, small one-way valves open to let it through, and then shut to stop it from going back the way it came. If a vein’s walls are stretched and they become loose, the valves may weaken, causing the blood to leak and reverse course.

Should this happen, the blood will pool and collect inside the vein, making it enlarged and swollen.

treatment_varicose_veins3_before

Where do Varicose Veins come from and how does pregnancy affect them?

Just as it is with many conditions, your genes are strong contributing factors to the appearance of varicose veins – if your mother had varicose veins during pregnancy, it’s probable that you will too. It’s worth noting that the chances increase with every pregnancy (the more the merrier, right?).

With every pregnancy, your growing uterus adds pressure on the major vein on the right-hand side of your body – called the inferior vena cava- as well as the veins in your pelvis, which in turn translates to increased pressure on your leg veins.

Moreover,  the amount of blood in your system will increase, and the weight from your womb will make it more difficult for it to return to the heart.

Varicose vein information treatment

What’s more, during pregnancy your body ends up producing more of a hormone called progesterone. It helps the foetus develop, encourages breast tissue growth while preventing lactation, and act to strengthen the pelvic wall muscles before labour. As you can see, it’s pretty important, but it also relaxes smooth muscle – found in vein walls and is responsible for their contraction – contributing to vein dilation.

Finally, your chances will also increase depending on how heavy you were at the start of your pregnancy – and how much weight you gain during – as people who are overweight are generally more at risk of developing varicose veins.

How do I ease the pain?

As varicose veins develop they can grow to be quite painful and make it difficult to walk, but luckily there are measures you can take to manage your discomfort until it’s safe for you to have them treated post delivery.

  •  Put your feet up as often as possible.
  •  Try sleeping on your left side to decrease the pressure on the inferior vena cava.
  •  Consider sleeping with your legs placed higher than the rest of your body by putting pillows under your ankles.
  •  Bend and stretch your foot up and down.
  •  Rotate your foot in alternative circular motions.
  •  Change position often and don’t stand or sit for too long.
  •  Wear supportive garments such as support tights.
  •  Try walking or swimming to increase your circulation.

Pain and discomfort tend to lessen following childbirth, but your veins may nevertheless keep causing you problems. The best way to deal with them is to treat them with the Gold Standard treatment, Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) and permanently get rid of the damaged vein.

What is EVLA?

Traditionally, varicose veins treatment involves removing the troublesome vessel, but nowadays a far more advanced technique is at our disposal. EVLA is a minimally invasive procedure that uses laser energy to close off varicose veins from the inside without the need for surgery. The treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic and is a walk-in, walk-out treatment. That means you could be on your way back home within an hour.

Ultrasound imaging is used to guide a laser-tipped fibre through a micro-catheter to the point of origin of the targeted vein. The laser is then used to apply heat to the area in order to collapse the vein’s walls, and cause the blood to be redirected through healthier vessels. Results are permanent and you can see them directly after the treatment is complete.

In order to be as precise as possible, we also offer a free ultrasound (worth over £350) during consultations with our Consultant Vascular Surgeons, to pinpoint the defective valves and map out your vein. The procedure comes with a 95% success rate and has NICE’s (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) Gold Standard stamp of approval.

VenaSeal treatment is also available at The Private Clinic which is a closure system that uses medical adhesive to close varicose veins. blood is re-routed through other healthy veins located deeper within the leg VenaSeal is a great option for patients who have a needle phobia as VenaSeal only requires a single injection per vein. A small catheter will be inserted into your leg once the area has been numbed. Your surgeon will use an ultrasound to guide the small catheter through the affected veins. The VenaSeal tool then dispenses small amounts of medical grade Sapheon Glue that works to close the vein. Once closed, the vein is then absorbed gradually by the body and blood is re-routed through other healthy veins located deeper within the leg.

We also offer Foam Sclerotherapy and Phlebectomy treatments for patients who are not suitable for EVLA or VenaSeal procedures.

Varicose Vein Removal at The Private Clinic

We have over 35 years of experience offering minimally invasive treatments with proven results. We have some of the UK’s top Consultant Vascular Surgeons working under our roof, who are dedicated to providing you with excellent care and advice. Our EVLA treatments are competitively priced, last an hour, are done under local anaesthetic and there’s barely any downtime at all.

  • The least invasive method for varicose veins and thread veins removal treatment for your legs, body and face.
  • Our Consultant vascular surgeons are pioneers in EVLA(Endovenous Laser Ablation) and have treated thousands of patients.
  • No lengthy downtime or recovery required.
  • The NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) Gold Standard for treatment of Varicose Veins findings show 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).
  • We focus on the underlying cause of your veins and you will only see a Consultant Vascular surgeon for varicose veins.
  • We have treated thousands of patients who have regained their confidencewhilst avoiding health issues.
  • Treatment takes one hour, you can go home shortly after being treated.
  • Owing to our success, we have been featured on Channel 4’s Embarrassing Bodies , TLC’s My Naked Secret and featured in Harper’s Bazaar’s Cosmetic Tweakment Trends for 2019.
  • We have carried out over 7,000 procedures in treating Veins.
  • View our varicose vein before and after photos.
  • Read our extensive varicose vein FAQs.
  • Take a look at our varicose vein patient stories.
  • Find out more in our varicose vein blogs.
  • Download our varicose veins treatment brochure.

We offer Varicose Veins treatments and consultations in London, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Bournemouth, Bexhill and Northampton,

Expert Vascular Surgeons

To find out more about varicose vein treatment or to book a consultation, please call 0333 920 2471 or use our Varicose Vein online contact form.