Vein stripping

[RCT]

Ok, anyone here have varicose veins? Have you ever considered stripping them? if so why? Is it strictly cosmetic? Have you done it?

sorry for all the questions...dh has had varicose veins since we met, pretty bad ones on one leg....I don't even notice them anymore, but they really are an issue with him lately, won't wear shorts anymore because they are so pronounced.....he is talking about getting them stripped. I am scared to death...:bawling: and he has become defensive. I asked him to see my side. He says he does but do I see his? NO

Back ground for those who don't know. Back to 1995 my dh was rushed to the hospital and told he might not live through the night unless they could get the 18 in DVT (deep vein thrombosis) under control in his thigh and leg. (NOT the one with the varicose veins weird I know) I was 8 months preggers, with my first...ladies and let me tell you, When I remember how scared I was and the thought of loosing him still makes me just as sick and teary today as it did then. It took three months of Hospital stays, ER visits, countless test and doctor to find out NOTHING is really wrong with dh he just has to take blood thinners for the rest of his life.. So now after all this time, He springs on me this morning during coffee that he wants to have the veins stripped....this is on the other leg, not the one where the clot was, well, the worse case scenario is BLOOD CLOTS...WHY would he want to risk this again. I know he got mad that I was not in his corner, I know he has seen a new doctor about six months ago, but we talked then and he agreed it wasn't worth the risks... I then asked him to re evaluate his life insurance then, because I don't like the risks and not being covered in case something happens to him scares me. (Sounds cold but its honest)

Not sure if I want advise or just to vent.

If you have varicose veins I would love to hear your thoughts.

[PamE]

Oh, (((Renee)))! :\ I don't have any words of wisdom for you... just (((HUGS)))

[AnnW]

My neighbor has had the proceedure where you inject something into the veins and it makes them collapse..is that what you are talking about?

[Mickey]

I don't blame you for being worried, Renee. I had to look this up because I didn't know what it was, but it doesn't look good--looks extreme and some of the things I've read lead me to believe that it's kind of an "old-fashioned" way of getting rid of them--very invasive and with risks. Here's a link that discusses various methods and the other methods listed here look like they would be better than the stripping (like using a laser, for example):
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/varicose_veins/page9_em.htm

The link above mentions that stripping isn't usually done below the knee and can result in scarring and nerve damage (I haven't read about clots, though).

Are the veins bothering him only on a cosmetic basis or are they painful?

I know you want to be supportive, but you are scared. Could you possibly tell him you will go with him to THREE consultations to discuss ALL the possibile procedures and risks associated with each? Or is he completely set on the stripping?

[angie r]

No advice... (((Renee)))

[Diane]

No advice here either but just to say that I don't blame you at all for being afraid of him having it done. I realize this is something he wants, and in the end will have to be his choice/decision... but I do hope he thinks long and hard about it before he decides to go ahead with it. (((((RENEE)))))

[AnnW]

I am with Mickey. I didn't think stripping was even done anymore.
here's some info
How are varicose and spider veins treated?
Besides a physical exam, your doctor can take x-rays or ultrasound pictures of the vein to find the cause and severity of the problem. You may want to speak with a doctor who specializes in vein diseases or phlebology. Talk to your doctor about what treatment options are best for your condition and lifestyle. Not all cases of varicose veins are the same.

Some available treatments include:

Sclerotherapy (this is what my friend has done several times on different veins)
This is the most common treatment for both spider veins and varicose veins. The doctor injects a solution into the vein that causes the vein walls to swell, stick together, and seal shut. This stops the flow of blood and the vein turns into scar tissue. In a few weeks, the vein should fade. The same vein may need to be treated more than once.

This treatment is very effective if done the right way. Most patients can expect a 50% to 90% improvement. Microsclerotherapy uses special solutions and injection techniques that increase the success rate for removal of spider veins. Sclerotherapy does not require anesthesia, and can be done in the doctor's office.

Possible side effects include:

Temporary stinging or painful cramps where the injection was made
Temporary red raised patches of skin where the injection was made
Temporary small skin sores where the injection was made
Temporary bruises where the injection was made
Spots around the treated vein that usually disappear
Brown lines around the treated vein that usually disappear
Groups of fine red blood vessels around the treated vein that usually disappear
The treated vein can also become inflamed or develop lumps of clotted blood. This is not dangerous. Applying heat and taking aspirin or antibiotics can relieve inflammation. Lumps of coagulated blood can be drained.

Laser surgery
New technology in laser treatments can effectively treat spider veins in the legs. Laser surgery sends very strong bursts of light onto the vein. This can makes the vein slowly fade and disappear. Lasers are very direct and accurate. So the proper laser controlled by a skilled doctor will usually only damage the area being treated. Most skin types and colors can be safely treated with lasers.

Laser surgery is more appealing to some patients because it does not use needles or incisions. Still, when the laser hits the skin, the patient feels a heat sensation that can be quite painful. Cooling helps reduce the pain. Laser treatments last for 15 to 20 minutes. Depending on the severity of the veins, two to five treatments are generally needed to remove spider veins in the legs. Patients can return to normal activity right after treatment, just as with sclerotherapy. For spider veins larger than 3 mm, laser therapy is not very practical.

Possible side effects of laser surgery include:

Redness or swelling of the skin right after the treatment that disappears within a few days.
Discolored skin that will disappear within one to two months.
Rarely burns and scars result from poorly performed laser surgery.
Endovenous Techniques (radiofrequency and laser) – These methods for treating the deeper varicose veins of the legs (the saphenous veins) have been a huge breakthrough. They have replaced surgery for the vast majority of patients with severe varicose veins. This technique is not very invasive and can be done in a doctor’s office.
The doctor puts a very small tube called a catheter into the vein. Once inside, the catheter sends out radiofrequency or laser energy that shrinks and seals the vein wall. Healthy veins around the closed vein restore the normal flow of blood. As this happens, symptoms from the varicose vein improve. Veins on the surface of the skin that are connected to the treated varicose vein will also usually shrink after treatment. When needed, these connected varicose veins can be treated with sclerotherapy or other techniques.

Possible side effect is slight bruising.

Endovenous Techniques (radiofrequency
and laser)
These methods for treating the deeper varicose veins of the legs (the saphenous veins) have been a huge breakthrough. They have replaced surgery for the vast majority of patients with severe varicose veins. This technique is not very invasive and can be done in a doctor’s office.

The doctor puts a very small tube called a catheter into the vein. Once inside, the catheter sends out radiofrequency or laser energy that shrinks and seals the vein wall. Healthy veins around the closed vein restore the normal f low of blood. As this happens, symptoms from the varicose vein improve. Veins on the surface of the skin that are connected to the treated varicose vein will also usually shrink after treatment. When needed, these connected varicose veins can be treated with sclerotherapy or other techniques.

Possible side effects:
● Slight bruising.

Surgery
Surgery is used mostly to treat very large varicose veins. Types of surgery for varicose veins include:

Surgical Ligation and Stripping - With this treatment, problematic veins are tied shut and completely removed from the leg. Removing the veins does not affect the circulation of blood in the leg. Veins deeper in the leg take care of the larger volumes of blood. Most varicose veins removed by surgery are surface veins and collect blood only from the skin. This surgery requires either local or general anesthesia and must be done in an operating room on an outpatient basis.

Possible side effects: Serious side effects or problems from this surgery are uncommon.

With general anesthesia, a risk of heart and breathing problems.
Bleeding and congestion of blood can be a problem. But the collected blood usually settles on its own and does not require any further treatment.
Wound infection, inflammation, swelling and redness.
Permanent scars.
Damage of nerve tissue around the treated vein. It is hard to avoid harming small nerve branches when veins are removed. This damage can cause numbness, burning, or a change in sensation around the surgical scar.
A deep vein blood clot. These clots can travel to the lungs and heart. Injections of heparin, a medicine that reduces blood clotting reduce the chance of these dangerous blood clots. But, heparin also can increase the normal amount of bleeding and bruising after surgery.
Significant pain in the leg and recovery time of one to four weeks depending on the extent of surgery is typical after surgery.
Ambulatory Phlebectomy – With this surgery, a special light source marks the location of the vein. Tiny cuts are made in the skin, and surgical hooks pull the vein out of the leg. This surgery requires local or regional anesthesia. The vein usually is removed in one treatment. Very large varicose veins can be removed with this treatment while leaving only very small scars. Patients can return to normal activity the day after treatment.

Possible Side Effects:

Slight bruising
Temporary numbness
Endoscopic vein surgery – With this surgery, a small video camera is used to see inside the veins. Then varicose veins are removed through small cuts. People who have this surgery must have some kind of anesthesia including epidural, spinal, or general anesthesia. Patients can return to normal activity within a few weeks.

Can varicose and spider veins return even after treatment?
Current treatments for varicose veins and spider veins have very high success rates compared to traditional surgical treatments. Over a period of years, however, more abnormal veins can develop. The major reason for this is that there is no cure for weak vein valves. So with time, pressure gradually builds up in the leg veins. Ultrasound can be used to keep track of how badly the valves are leaking (venous insufficiency). Ongoing treatment can help keep this problem under control.

The single most important thing a person can do to slow down the development of new varicose veins is to wear graduated compression support stockings as much as possible during the day.

For More Information...
Contact the National Women’s Health Information Center (NWHIC) at 1-800-994-9662 or the following organizations:

National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
NHLBI Information Center
1-800-575-WELL (9355)
Internet Address: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov


tell him to come to this place and he can stay with me, this place is very near me!
http://www.houstonveininstitute.com/FAQs.html