Varicose veins any issues with surgery?

[Mark Henry]

I've got a bad clump on my right calf and one big one on my inner thigh feeding it.
Laser is not fully covered ($3K) but the doctor doesn't think it would be that successful in my case anyways. He want's to do the new method of striping them out, which is also fully covered.
It's hereditary and likely karate helped them get bigger. They bug me when standing for long periods or working out, not a lot, but enough to think about doing something about it. He says 2 weeks off.

Any problems with this or is it just a straightforward do it and be done with it?

[Noah930]

Usually varicose vein surgery is fairly straightforward, but it also depends on what "new" technique your surgeon is suggesting.

[Mark Henry]

Originally Posted by Noah930

Usually varicose vein surgery is fairly straightforward, but it also depends on what "new" technique your surgeon is suggesting.

New just means they do the less invasive of what they did in the past.
He said I'll have a bunch of 1cm nicks on my legs, but most wouldn't even have a stitch in them. Outpatient but they put you under.

[dad911]

My wife's had it done. Less invasive than a colonoscopy.

[Tobra]

You are going to want to get support stockings, and wear them consistently.

[Mark Henry]

Originally Posted by Tobra

You are going to want to get support stockings, and wear them consistently.

I take it post-op, temporary or forever ?

[Tobra]

Well, not forever, just until you die or decide you prefer the varicosities and swelling to wearing the stockings.

[Outback Porsche]

Originally Posted by Mark Henry

New just means they do the less invasive of what they did in the past.
He said I'll have a bunch of 1cm nicks on my legs, but most wouldn't even have a stitch in them. Outpatient but they put you under.

My wife had this exact procedure done in June. Two weeks off work, six weeks of the stockings. She was back playing netball in eight weeks. I haven't heard a leg pain complaint for some time now.

[Mark Henry]

Originally Posted by Tobra

Well, not forever, just until you die or decide you prefer the varicosities and swelling to wearing the stockings.

Well that doesn't make me feel like getting it done, it's a bother but not that big of a deal. Other than the one leg veins (and right now I'm passing a kidney stone) I'm in pretty damn good shape. Only really starts to ache after a 60km bike ride, etc.

iI it limits my fitness program and I have to permanently wear stockings I'll pass.

[Mark Henry]

The more I research this the more I don't like.

[Tobra]

The support hose are more to prevent re occurrence of the varicose veins and the swelling. You can still do your cycling or whatever

[Brian 162]

An old co-worker had the procedure done twice. It runs in his family. The first time he had it done was in the early 90's when he was in his early 30's. He was off work for a few weeks.
NOTE We worked in the trades (HVAC) and stood most of the day or climbed ladders.
The second time was 5 years ago. OHIP wouldn't cover the laser treatment (nor would our benefits). He had the evasive procedure again and was off for around 3 weeks. He was 50 at the time.
Present day he's fine.
Hope this helped.

[Mark Henry]

Originally Posted by Brian 162

An old co-worker had the procedure done twice. It runs in his family. The first time he had it done was in the early 90's when he was in his early 30's. He was off work for a few weeks.
NOTE We worked in the trades (HVAC) and stood most of the day or climbed ladders.
The second time was 5 years ago. OHIP wouldn't cover the laser treatment (nor would our benefits). He had the evasive procedure again and was off for around 3 weeks. He was 50 at the time.
Present day he's fine.
Hope this helped.

Laser is $3K each leg (only need one) and he said if I went this route he'd still recommend a combo of both methods in my case.
I'll have to check work insurance, I have real good coverage, but I kind of doubt they cover this.