If you have varicose veins, it’s hard to feel comfortable in your skin. Varicose veins might make you want to cover up, even in the Florida heat, and freeze your confidence.
When you find it hard to live with varicose veins, the professionals at Premier Vein & Vascular can help you find a solution. Whether they present a purely cosmetic problem or you’re experiencing discomfort, our Tampa and Largo vascular specialists have the answers and treatment you need.
What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins form when blood can’t flow properly through superficial veins, so they twist and swell. Most people get varicose veins in their legs, which creates the appearance of bulging, dark blue veins.
These twisted veins often cause no physical discomfort. However, many people experience symptoms, including:
- Pain and achiness
- Throbbing
- Burning
- Itchiness
- Heaviness or restlessness
- Fatigue
- Worsened pain when sitting
While varicose veins can happen to anyone, obesity, heredity, and pregnancy can contribute to their formation. Standing for extended periods during the day can also lead to varicose veins.
Treating varicose veins with ablation
Ablation removes the blood vessel, causing your varicose veins. At Premier Vein & Vascular, we perform ablation on veins using three different methods:
Endovascular laser ablation
During an endovascular laser ablation procedure, we insert a laser fiber needle into the vein and use laser energy to create heat. The heat seals the vein and prevents blood from pooling.
Radiofrequency ablation
The radiofrequency ablation method delivers heat with an electrical current made from radio waves to seal the vein using a catheter. The heat then cauterizes the vein, closing it and redirecting the blood.
VenaSeal Closure System
The VenaSeal™Closure System is a minimally invasive and image-guided procedure that closes the vein using a medical adhesive delivered with a catheter. We often use this method when heat and cauterization procedures would risk nerve damage.
Treating varicose veins with sclerotherapy
Doctors have performed sclerotherapy as far back as the 1930s. Since then, it has become a quick, 30-minute procedure that requires no recovery time, making it one of the best options for removing varicose veins.
When we perform sclerotherapy, we inject a saline solution into your vein, forcing blood to move through another vein. The saline solution creates scarring in your vein, and it eventually gets absorbed into your body.
You won’t see immediate results with sclerotherapy. The veins will take a few weeks to a month to entirely disappear. Side effects are generally minor and temporary, if you experience them at all, and include bruising and redness.
Treating varicose veins with microphlebectomy
Microphlebectomy is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that removes medium and large varicose veins. We use this procedure for surface veins too large for sclerotherapy but too small for surgery.
We create a small incision in the leg and remove the problem vein to redirect blood to healthy veins. Microphlebectomy requires almost no interruption to your daily routine after we remove the vein. This procedure allows you to heal faster than you would with surgery, and you get the advantages of less pain and a better cosmetic appearance without scarring.
Are varicose veins causing you pain?
At Premier Vein & Vascular, our doctors will examine your varicose veins and medical history to determine whether you are a candidate for one of these treatment procedures. Our providers have helped many patients reduce the appearance and discomfort associated with varicose veins.
Call 813-302-7620 for our Tampa location or 727-217-5720 for our Largo office to request a free consultation. You can also contact us online to request an appointment or a free consultation.
