Varicose Veins

[pfunk]

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Hello all. I am interested in finding information about varicose veins as I have recently begun the process of trying to get my condition eliminated. If anyone can answer one, some or all of my questions I would greatly appreciate it.

1) Has anyone undergone the EVLT procedure? If so, could you share your experience with it good or bad, please?

2) How readily do vascular surgeons treat varicose vein problems that are not deemed medically necessary? Will a vascular surgeon possibly perform the procedure if I can afford it but it's not medically necessary or do I have to seek out a cosmetic surgeon for these purposes?

3) I have been warned against ever having slerotherapy performed. Has anyone had this procedure done? Do you agree or disagree with these statements? What was your experience?

4) Has anyone out here had VNUS closure? How was your experience?

5) Has anyone had success with natural remedies? What was the extent of your success? Was it elimination of pain or elimination of the cosmetic problem or both? If there was an elimination of the cosmetic problem what was the extent (did you get rid of the bulges?, did you get rid of the visibility of the blue veins that were not bulging?, did you get rid of the appearance of the vein completely?)

[serenity111]

bear with me---im not sure of all the terms of the procedures i had done, but ive had alot done! i got vericose veins from pregnacy, then worsened from my job which requires standing all day. it took me years to find a doc to perform anything on me. i had several dopler tests--all came back that my blood was flowing in the right direction, and not being blocked from my veins. as far as listening and helping me------they did nothing! told me they arent that bad, and the pain was something fierce, they told me to wear support hose. i had 4 veins in the back of my leg, but one which went all the way up my leg into groin area! they were big and painful. i wore support hose---drove me CRAZY, give me a break, in the summer!! finally i went to a doc that listened, he performed a surgery which tied my veins off, he made tiny incisions all over my legs. wrapped them and im telling you, they havent came back, and i dont have any pain!!! i have 2 places i have pretty bad spider veins(ugly) i had those injections done 3 times. insurance will not cover that, its considered cosmetic. anywayz 3 treatments later $750, they faded MAYBE A LITTLE----but still there. this affected my life, im only 31, had this done almost 3 years ago. im just happy someone listened, and i no longer have pain. the downfall is, they can come back---especially with another pregnacy. so far so good though. good luck to you. this has got to be common amongst ALOT of women.

[pfunk]

I wonder what the average costs of some of these procedures are. I have been told that the following reflects the average cost per leg for varicose vein procedures:

Stripping $3000-4000 per leg
Endovenous Laser Therapy or EVLT $2500 per leg
VNUS Closure $2000-2500 per leg
Sclerotherapy $100-200 per session (usually three to eight sessions per vein network

Is this accurate? If you have any ideas or information to add, let me know, please! I really need to have something done to my veins.

Also, if anyone has undergone any of these procedures and has any input for good or ill, please share.

[air_20]

Hi,
I've also been looking for the best preventions for my varicose veins. My legs are bad right now. I'm really nevous too on getting pregnant, I don't want mine to get worse than what they are. My doctor also stated that I should wait until after having my kids to do anything. Otherwise, I take Vitamin E, C, take fatthy acids, wear support knee highs, sleep with pillow's under my legs, walk every night, use a stool under my desk. I've been also looking into the best treatments for my varicose veins too. Mine hurt a lot but, I don't want to make more problems with the injections, that's why I'm going to wait until after I have my children to get them done. I've read something where the British are trying to pass something called Varisolve, it's a certain new type of injection foam that's supposed to be better then the normal surgeries that are out there today, but it doesn't look like it'll be passed until by the FDA anytime soon...hopefully 2007 they've stated.

[air_20]

Oop, I forgot to mention, I've read that EVLT is supposed to be a better procedure than the old stripping...longer lasting and better cosmetically. If I ever have to have anything done, I think I'd go with EVLT...unless they come out with a better procedure soon.

I'm praying