Vericose Vein "surgery"

Wow, how they've come a long way

Published on December 5, 2003 By JillUser In Pure Technology

Yesterday I had "surgery" to remove a huge vericose vein that ran from practically the top of my inner thigh to about 4 inches below my knee. I say "surgery" because I would call it a procedure. It was done right in the office and was very quick. I am back on my feet today!

I can't believe that something that used to require a huge slit and major recovery time has been so far reduced in invasiveness. It is similar to the differences made in gall bladder surgery (which I had the opportunity to experience about 5 yrs ago). They now make little holes along the vein, snip the vein at those points and pull out the pieces. The worst part is getting numbed up.

Snip, pull, stitch and then you have to wear a support stocking for a week. After that, the doctor takes it off, removes the stitches and you're bruised and looking like a pin cushion for a couple of weeks. I have seen the results in pictures and with a friend's experience and I can't wait!

My very-gross vein's, as I call them, are not just unsightly but by the end of each day feel like they are going to burst. They were so bad that even the doctors and nurses that do this all the time said "Wow! You've got an over achiever there." Of course my insurance doesn't seem to think that I needed to get rid of them so it was all out of pocket. Well worth it though.

I do suggest people talk to their family about health issues that are inherited. When I had my gall bladder attacks at age 28, I found out practically noone in the family still had theirs. Now, with the veins, I knew both my parents had them but I recently found out my maternal grandfather had them so badly that one ruptured while he was working on a ladder. This may have helped me convince my doctor to tell the insurance company I needed to gethem removed. At the very least it would have made me feel less of a freak.

Well, that is one leg down. The other leg will be treated with injections. They call it sclerotherapy. They will do that for both the vericose and spider veins. Thanks to genetics and child bearing my legs look like a very complicated road map. I plan on changing that as much as possible.

Comments

KarmaGirl

on Dec 05, 2003

Glad to hear that all went well and as pleasant as possible.

How much does it cost for the injections? I have a couple spider veins and one (well it's starting) very-gross vein that I would like to keep under control. Of course, for me, it's all the looks of it since none of them are bad enough to hurt.

Have to also love having bright white skin which shows off the nice veins that I have

Changeling1971

on Dec 05, 2003

Glad to see that your doing well after the "procedure". Hope the other leg goes well.

Draginol

on Dec 05, 2003

You people with your poor genes.

JillUser

on Dec 12, 2003

Thanks for the well wishes. I can let you know what the injections cost when I have the checkup for that. I think they determine the cost by how much needs to be done with each leg.

OccultPizza

on Dec 22, 2003

Yes, glad to hear all went well. Mine was much like yours. I had to go into sugery though and be put under and was cut in approximately 20 different spots with several major scars. My worst problem was they were so close to the skin that they would burst open and blood would squirt out by the gallon and it was unstoppable. I would have to wrap it and apply pressure too it and go to the hospital where they would put a cougulating agent on it. I have a few that have appeard since then but nothing like they were before.

Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:

Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums.
Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
It's simple, and FREE!