A laser is a highly focused beam of light. A doctor can utilize a laser as a treatment for varicose veins. Laser has the capacity to damage veins which makes scar tissue form. This scar enables the vein to close. Because of this, the vein loses its blood source and dies off. Over time, the vein will disappear.
There are two types of laser surgery for varicose veins:
Simple laser treatment is performed on the skin. It helps get rid of spider veins and small varicose veins just beneath the surface of the skin. Typically, only one laser session is required.
In endovenous laser treatments, the treatment is for more prominent varicose veins on the legs. A laser fiber is passed through a thin tube or catheter into the vein. As a doctor performs this, the vein is observed on an ultrasound screen. It is less painful than vein litigation and stripping and recovery time is shorter.
What to expect after laser treatment of varicose veins?
It is possible to walk and be mobile following the treatment. Recovery is typically short. It is likely for you to be returning to your regular daily duties after simple laser treatment.
After endovenous laser treatment, you are required to wear compression stockings for a week or more. To follow up, your physician will be utilizing a duplex ultrasound to ensure that the vein is already closed.
Why is laser treatment done?
Simple laser surgery for varicose vein treatments is done for small spider veins as well as tiny varicose veins. It is sometimes a second treatment step after more prominent varicose veins have been surgically treated.
Endovenous laser treatment is typically utilized to close off a large varicose vein instead of utilizing surgery to remove it.
How well does laser treatment work?
When it comes to simple laser treatment, over the past 20 years, this type of laser intervention has become relatively safe as well as effective. Endovenous laser treatments, on the other hand, close veins about 90% of the time. It only fails to close the vein 6 out of 100 times.
If Endovenous laser treatment fails to close a vein, you will require a second treatment. Depending on what is available in your location, you may have choices between another laser treatment, radiofrequency, or sclerotherapy. In some instances, vein surgery is the recommended option.
For optimum chances of success, be sure to consult with your doctor with an extensive and endovenous laser experience.
Laser treatment preparation may cause discomfort
Treatment of spider veins occurs by utilizing a laser that will be inserted inside the vein. Your doctor will be placing a catheter within the vein to thread the laser in to perform this. The procedure will typically begin with a topical numbing agent prior to the injections.
It will be placed throughout the length of the vein being treated. During this process, you may experience mild pain or discomfort similar to mosquito bites. This part of the procedure causes the most discomfort.
Are laser treatments painful? You likely won’t feel the laser
After all the injections that are numbing, your provider will make small incisions to insert the catheter. After this, the catheter is guided into the area of the vein. Once positioned in place, the laser is inserted through the catheter, and the catheter is then removed.
Afterward, the laser begins heating up and treating your varicose or spider veins. Because of the numbing treatments, it is unlikely that you will feel pain at all.
Vein removal today
Currently, patients experience other options in laser vein surgery that are less invasive and much more comfortable. Rather than cutting the vein out and removing it from the body, the surgeon will only be damaging the vein resulting in a collapse.
It will be absorbed by the body as time passes. This method of treatment allows the body to do the majority of the work, which enhances the patient experience and promotes better recovery.
After the procedure
It is possible to feel side effects after the procedure. Common side effects are swelling, bruising, as well as skin color change, and mild pain.
It is likely to have more severe side effects if you have undergone vein stripping and ligation. Although these are rare, complications may include blood clots, severe pain, and infection, and scars. Your doctor will be wrapping your legs in elastic bandages after the procedure and recommend that you wear compression stockings for a certain period.
When you arrive home, it is critical to follow instructions about exercising even though you feel sore. Inactivity increases the possibility that you will develop dangerous blood clots. Regardless of the procedure you choose, it can only treat varicose veins that are existing. New varicose veins may develop, but you can stake steps to limit their occurrence.
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