Varicose Veins
Over 7,000 vein procedures performed by consultant vascular surgeons. First class support & aftercare in our varicose vein clinics.
Over 7,000 vein procedures performed
Free ultrasound scan at consultation
All procedures carried out by consultant vascular surgeons
First class support & aftercare in our varicose vein clinics
What’s on this page
- About this Treatment
- Before & Afters
- What to Expect
- FAQs
- Our Clinics
- Patient Stories
- Why the Private Clinic
- Meet the Surgeons
- Related Blogs & News
Medically reviewed by Lorcan Sheppard BSc MBBS FRCA, Chief Medical Officer and the Medical Advisory Committee for The Private Clinic.
Last Reviewed April 26th 2022
Related Treatments
The Private Clinic with clinics throughout the UK specialises in the Gold standard in minimally invasive Varicose Vein removal. Our advanced Veins clinics cater for Walk in walk out treatments. We do not use outsourced hospitals.
At The Private Clinic we have carried out over 7,000 veins treatments with a Trust Pilot 5 star rating. We ensure that your journey with us is a positive one with outstanding pre and post-operative care. Our Consultant vascular surgeons are highly experienced and have many decades working as Consultant vascular surgeons.
The Private Clinic are “Covid secure”. We continue to provide expert services for medical conditions due to venous disease. For Covid information about the extensive measures we are taking to ensure your care and safety click here.
Where do I find a Varicose Vein clinic?
With over 35 years’ experience in offering the most advanced treatments, we are UK’s recognised, specialist varicose vein clinic group with locations in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Northampton, Leeds, and Bucks.
What are the best treatments for varicose vein removal?
We ensure only the most effective minimally invasive vein removal treatments are available.
These include:
- EVLA (Endovenous Laser Ablation) or Endovenous laser treatment, the gold standard in vein removal with 95% success rate
- Sclerotherapy (Foam & Liquid)
- VenaSeal (minimal injection, no support tights)
- Phlebectomy (Ideal for larger veins close to the surface)
What happens in a consultation with our specialised vascular surgeon?
Your journey starts with a simple video consultation in the comfort of your home. Your Vascular surgeon will discuss your areas of concern. We follow a patient centred approach and will discuss your lifestyle and medical reasons for having the procedure. Your Consultant Vascular surgeon will explain the range of treatment options. You will then be invited into one of our UK advanced CQC registered Vascular clinics to have a duplex ultrasound scan of your legs. At your consultation your Vascular surgeon will then advise on the best vein treatment that will be the most minimally invasive and effective solution suited for you. Our walk in walk out clinics ensure you are in safe hands, we do not outsource in hospitals. The expert vascular team are on hand 24/7 should you need to discuss anything.
Do I need a general anaesthetic for varicose vein removal procedure?
The most up to date methods do not require a general anaesthetic or large surgical incisions. In fact, at our expert Veins clinics a varicose vein treatment is a simple walk-in, walk-out procedure. Vein stripping is an old-fashioned procedure and not advised with the advanced vein removal options available.
Our treatments offer the following advantages over traditional surgery:
- No General Anaesthetic is required
- Tailored treatment plan best suited to you
- No scars
- No Time off work
- Low Recurrence Rates
- Industry leading aftercare with successful outcomes
Procedure Time
30 – 60 mins
Anaesthetic Type
Local anaesthetic
Hospital Stay
None, daycase
Driving
24 – 48 hours
Washing
3 days
Sleeping
n/a
Back to work
1 – 3 days
Up & Mobile
1 day
Sexual Activity
4 – 6 weeks
Exercise
1 – 2 weeks
Travel
3 weeks
Recovery Time
6 weeks
Support Garments
Compression stockings 2 weeks
Final Results
6 weeks
What are the Symptoms of Varicose Veins:
- Veins could be enlarged, swollen, lumpy, bumpy or twisted in appearance.
- Most commonly found on the legs or feet and can be blue or dark purple in colour.
- Swollen feet or ankles.
- Uncomfortable, heavy or aching feeling in the legs.
- Dry skin in the area of the affected vein.
- Muscle cramps in the leg.
- Burning or throbbing sensation in the legs.
“My varicose veins have now completely disappeared and I’m free from the condition which haunted me since my teenage years. I’ve got my confidence back and I can’t wait to go on my next summer holiday!” – Martin, Varicose Vein Patient
Dr Tracy Mountford interviewed our Consultant Vascular Surgeon Dr Tahir Hussein to answer common questions about varicose veins including the causes, effects of being left untreated, new treatment options and the best time to treat them.
as seen in
Before & After
We are one of the UK’s centers of excellence for minimally invasive treatments for vein problems. We pride ourselves on delivering excellent results and aftercare in Varicose Vein procedures. See our before and after Varicose Vein photos from our specialist vascular surgeons below. The best option is to book a consultation to discuss the best procedure for you and to see more before and after photos for varicose vein removal.
What to Expect
The Private Clinic has been treating patients for over 35 years with thousands of people placing their trust in us each year. We pride ourselves on being able to offer a personalised service. We have a team of friendly nurses and expert surgeons who understand the importance of this decision and will support you throughout your journey with us.
The Consultation
A consultation will take place with one of our vascular surgeons who are experts in treating varicose veins. Your surgeon will:
- Listen to your concerns regarding your veins
- Review your medical history
- Perform a free ultrasound scan
- Discuss the best options suited to you
- Detail the risks and complications
- Review your expectations from Varicose vein removal surgery
- Detail what will happen on the day of the procedure
- Go through the recovery and aftercare required
You will then meet with your dedicated patient coordinator who will provide you with a detailed treatment plan with full cost and pricing details so you can leave feeling well informed and able to make a decision if to go ahead with treatment or not.
For more information about what to expect from your Varicose Vein consultation please click here.
Pre-Operative Advice
In the interests of patient safety all our patients are assessed against our patient selection criteria. Following your varicose vein consultation and review of your past medical history, the physician or pre-operative nurse will choose the pre-operative tests considered to be appropriate, most of which are routine blood tests.
You will be provided with a pre-operative instruction sheet ahead of your procedure which will help you to prepare for your varicose vein treatment.
Varicose Vein Removal Surgery
At The Private Clinic we offer 4 types of varicose vein removal procedures.
All of our procedures are:
- Performed in-clinic
- Require no overnight stay
- Carried out under local anaesthetic
- Take 30-60 minutes to perform
- Minimal downtime
EVLA (Endovenous Laser Ablation) or Endovenous laser treatment
EVLA is a minimally invasive method of destroying dysfunctional varicose veins. The 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 involves a solution being mixed with air which creates the foam. This foam is then injected into the varicose veins and it then coats the vein wall. This then causes an inflammation inside the vein which pushes the blood out of the area. The vein walls will then be very sticky which will eventually close off the vein and within a couple of weeks the varicose vein will start to shrink and disappear.
VenaSeal
VenaSeal is a closure system that uses medical adhesive to close varicose veins. A small catheter will be inserted into your leg once the area has been numbed with local anaesthetic. 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 the varicose vein is closed, the blood is re-routed through other healthy veins located deeper within the leg and the original varicose vein is gradually absorbed by the body. VenaSeal is a great option for patients who have a needle phobia as VenaSeal only requires a single injection per vein. Recovery time after VenaSeal is often shorter and you may not be required to wear compression stockings after treatment.
Phlebectomy
A phlebectomy procedure involves making small incisions to allow the varicose veins to be removed. More commonly performed on large bulging varicose veins that are close to the surface of the leg. A phlebectomy procedure involves a hook being inserted into the tiny incisions which then hooks onto a section of the varicose vein. The vein is then removed but as the incisions are very small no stitches are required.
You will be able to leave our veins clinic shortly after the treatment has taken place.
After your varicose vein removal procedure
All varicose vein patients will receive a comprehensive post-operative care service provided as part of your aftercare package. Immediately following your varicose vein removal procedure, bandages will be applied to the treated areas and in most cases a compression stocking will need to be worn in the days following your procedure. You will also be provided with any medication that is prescribed by your surgeon or doctor to take during the following week to aid your recovery and given a post-operative instruction sheet explaining what to do and what to avoid doing following your procedure.
Most patients return to work within 1-2 days, but we do advise that strenuous exercise is avoided for at least 5 days and it should be returned to at a gradual pace. This is to avoid unnecessary injury, but it is recommended that you do keep active by taking regular walks.
Post-operative appointments usually take place at 6 weeks where your surgeon will then be able to assess your recovery, advise if any further treatment is required and discuss how to avoid potential recurrence of varicose veins in the future.
Watch Our Varicose Veins Videos
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FAQs
VLA stands for EndoVenous Laser Ablation. It is any varicose vein treatment that uses laser heat energy to target and break down varicose veins. EVLT stands for EndoVenous Laser Treatment or EndoVenous Laser Therapy. Back in 2000, it was a new and effective treatment that used heat from the laser to break down the varicose vein. Subsequently as the treatment’s popularity rocketed and others wanted to offer the effective treatment: so EVLA became a popular general term to describe laser ablation treatments like EVLT.
EVLA simply means a collection of treatments using varying wavelengths of lasers (including 940 nm, 1064 nm and 1320 nm) and equipment but with a similar method and result. Today, well over 10 years after EVLT’s introduction, there are many EVLA procedures available, including EVLT.
To discuss the wavelength and equipment used in our EVLA procedure please make a consultation with one of our specialised vascular surgeons who will be able to provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision about your varicose vein treatment.
You should be able to see a difference straight away after most varicose vein treatments but as you are required to wear the compression stocking for at least a week afterwards your leg will not be visible.
When you take off the stocking you will notice a big difference in the appearance of your treated leg, there will be some bruising but the visible varicose veins should have disappeared. We advise that usually you will be able to see the final results of your treatment 6 weeks post procedure.
VenaSeal does not require a compression stocking so you may be able to see the results of the treatment much quicker.
Click here to book a consultation with our vascular surgeons and find out more about the treatments we offer for varicose veins.
EVLA (Endovenous Laser Ablation)
EVLA is a minimally invasive and highly effective varicose vein treatment, and is considered by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to be the best method for vein removal. It eliminates the reflux from the faulty valve creating the varicose vein and addresses the cause of the problem, rather than just the symptoms.
During your procedure, an ultrasound scan will mark the position of the vein before local anaesthetic is injected around the area and a fine catheter is inserted through a small incision, usually near the knee. Laser energy is delivered through the probe in short pulses to seal the faulty valve so blood cannot flow through and the vein walls collapse. The leg is then bandaged to reduce swelling and bruising, and to aid recovery.
Sclerotherapy (liquid or foam)
For very small veins the issue can be addressed by sclerotherapy. The treatment involves injecting a saline solution into your varicose vein which damages it and causes it to close. Liquid sclerotherapy is often used to treat smaller varicose veins and spider veins. For larger veins, foam sclerotherapy is sometimes used.
You may have thread veins (or spider veins) which are characterised by fine dilated marks that appear under the skin – they may look like a web of very thin red or blue lines and can cause aching and itching. These can be removed through microsclerotherapy which is similar to foam sclerotherapy, but on a much smaller scale.
The procedures take less than 30 minutes and are done under local anaesthesia meaning you will not feel any pain during treatment. Simply call us to book a consultation and you will be on your way to vein free legs.
VenaSeal
VenaSeal is a minimally invasive, pain free procedure that uses a form of medical adhesive glue to close varicose veins.
The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic and has a quick recovery time and you are not required to wear compression stockings after treatment.
VenaSeal is a great option for those who have a phobia of needles or are just looking for a quick recovery time. Call us today to arrange a consultation with one of our experienced vascular surgeons to help you decide on the best treatment option for you.
Phlebectomy
Phlebectomy is a method of removing varicose veins and spider veins on the surface of the legs. The name comes from the Greek terms “phleb” which means vein, and “ectomy” which means removal.
The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia and involves making tiny punctures or incisions through which the varicose veins are removed. The incisions are so small that no stitches are required and recovery is speedy.
During your consultation at The Private Clinic, your vascular surgeon will explain your options to you and help you decide which treatment is best for you. As per NICE guidelines, we do not offer vein stripping, which requires a lengthy recovery period and does not yield as effective results.
Click here to book a consultation with our experienced vascular surgeons who will be able to advise on the best treatment for you.
Varicose Veins commonly present themselves as lumpy / bulging veins found on the surface of the legs, although they can be present in other areas such as around the ankle and foot. Varicose veins may also be dark purple or blue in colour. If you have varicose veins you may experience an itchy sensation around the site of the veins, pain after sitting or standing for extended periods of time, consistent aching feeling in the leg and burning, swelling or muscle cramping in the lower legs.
At The Private Clinic we have performed over 7,000 vein procedures and offer the Gold Standard for treatment of Varicose Veins; EVLA. To find out more or book a consultation with our specialist vascular surgeons click here.
Due to the cost restrictions on the NHS, treatments for Varicose Veins on the NHS are decided by the severity of your symptoms. A grading system is often used to determine how serious your varicose veins are but in the majority of cases you will most likely be advised to try non-surgical options such as compression stockings to help relieve your symptoms.
If your varicose veins are not painful or causing you too much discomfort, then your symptoms will be considered as cosmetic and you’ll be refused treatment with the NHS.
Here at The Private Clinic we do our best to provide quality treatment for all those affected by varicose veins by keeping our prices reasonably affordable for the level of service that you will receive. All of our consultations include a free ultrasound check and all treatments are carried out by highly experienced vascular surgeons.
Varicose vein treatment is Available in these Clinics
Patient Stories
Outstanding care, patient satisfaction and results mean everything to The Private Clinic Team
“I’m so pleased with the results and it is really life changing for me!” *
-Nicole Hopkirk, Former Managing Editor, MSN Health
We are here to help at The Private Varicose Vein Clinic
- Our aim is to always advise on 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 downtime, treatment takes one hour.
- The NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) Gold Standard for treatment of Varicose Veins find the success rate after five years for EVLA is 95.4%.
- A consultation with one of our Consultant Vascular Surgeons costs £200, with a free ultrasound scan of your legs (usually priced at £350 to £450 at most clinics and private hospitals).
- We only treat with local anaesthetic in our CQC (Care Quality Commission) registered Vein clinics in London Harley street, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, and Bournemouth
- We have carried out over 7,000 treatments
- Competitively priced
- We focus on the underlying cause of your veins and with no scars
Meet our Vascular Surgeons
We have some of the UK’s top Vascular Surgeons and medical team who will be with you throughout your journey.
At The Private Clinic varicose vein treatments are only performed by Vascular Surgeons who have decades of experience.
MBChB, MD, FRCS PG Cert Medical Ultrasound PG Cert Medical Research
GMC Number: 4037844
MBBS, MSc, FRCS (Gen), DIC MSc, FRCS (plast)
GMC Number: 5206200
MBBS, FRCS (gen, surg.), MS Masters in Surgery
GMC Number: 3242669 (listed as Mr Syed Tahir Hussain)
MD, FRCS (Gen), FRCS (Gen Surg)
GMC Number: 3275436
MBChB, FRCS (Eng), FRCS (Gen Surg)
GMC Number: 3556456
MBBS, MS, FRCSEd, FRCSEng, PhD
GMC Number: 3158700
MBBS, MS – University of Calcutta, India (1996), FRCS (Gen), FRCS
GMC Number: 4585309
