Do you have bluish-colored, raised veins bulging from your legs? Are they twisted and bubbly in form? If so, you have varicose veins, which you can develop for various reasons, including:
- Pressure on your legs from walking or standing
- Genetics
- Gender
- Pregnancy
- Overweight
- Sitting or standing for long periods of time
- Age
At the practice of board-certified surgeon Jamshid Nazarian, MD, FACS, FAMBS, we have the expertise and experience to treat your varicose veins with highly advanced laser surgery.
Not everyone needs treatment for their varicose veins. But, if you have achiness, swelling, or pain, you should consider treatment to relieve your discomfort. It can also address complications like skin discoloration or leg ulcers.
How laser surgery can treat your varicose veins
To treat your varicose veins effectively, we numb a small area with a local anesthetic to make a tiny incision where we insert an electrode into your vein. Your incision is so small that you don’t need stitches.
We then inject a local anesthetic into the tissues around your vein. The inserted laser fiber acts as insulation for your vein. Then, we then apply the laser, which has heated energy that causes the walls of your vein to collapse.
When your vein closes, your healthy veins take over, causing circulation of your blood to go toward your heart. Your treated vein eventually absorbs into your body naturally and ultimately fades or disappears.
Several treatments may be required if you have more than one diseased varicose vein. The procedure usually only takes about 15-30 depending how many veins we treat.
Benefits of laser surgery
Our laser treatment offers many benefits, including:
- No surgical incisions that require stitches
- Minimally invasive
- Quick procedure
- Painless procedure
- More effective than vein stripping
- Generally safe
- No scarring
- Veins are mostly invisible 12 months after your procedure
- Outpatient procedure
- Eliminates your painful symptoms
Laser treatment also decreases your risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which can be life-threatening.
What to expect after laser surgery
You should be able to return to work or get back to your normal, daily activities immediately after your treatment without any pain or complications. However, we have a few recommendations to help your successful recovery.
Wear compression socks
We can fit you for compression socks to wear for the first 24 hours after your treatment. After that, we may recommend that you wear them during the day to prevent future vein problems, especially if you stand or sit for long periods of time.
Get moving
Take short, brisk walks for the first three days after treatment to promote healing.
Avoid getting wet
Keep your small incision site dry for 48 hours, and don’t soak in the bath, sit in hot tubs, or swim in a pool for 7-10 days after your treatment. This helps reduce your risk of developing infection and also stops your veins from dilating.
To learn more about laser surgery for your varicose veins, schedule an evaluation with Dr. Nazarian. Call our friendly office staff today at 310-854-1174, or book your appointment online.