r/varicose_veins

Most commercial insurance companies require patients to have “conservative treatment “ before authorizing payment for vein procedures. (This does not apply to cosmetic treatments for spider veins). Usually they insist on 3 months of daily use of surgical grade compression hose. These are graded stockings with 20-30 mmHg compression. (Medicare requires 6 weeks.)
Now that we are halfway through the year, if you think you might need vein treatment, start planning now if you’ve met some or all of your annual deductible and want to be treated before the end of the year.
I don’t make the rules, but I follow them
Hope this is helpful!

Hi! F31, 5'11, 165. I had a Venaseal ablation on my GSV left leg last Friday (a week ago). I had asked my surgeon when I could start lifting again and he had said "tomorrow, it was only one cut".

I thought that was odd as EVERYTHING else, including the paper they sent me home with said 1-2 weeks waiting minimum. My weight lifting is 200lb+ lifts, so I'm anxious what he said was wrong.

My question: when can I get back to weightlifting? I had my week check up and everything looks great. Vein is under 3mm and shrinking.

Can I do light high reps right now? When can I start moving the heavy stuff again? Thank you!

39F, 195 lbs ( used to be 158 before getting pregnant) tall 5’8. I do have blood work from two months ago ( current ish), vitamins are up , blood work is good, blood pressure is always around 99/60 or 110/69 , home cooked meals mainly for nutrition.

I am 2 years ish postpartum, done breastfeeding over 6 months ago. Issue is both my legs swell. I am active in gym and I try to get 7-8k steps a day. I do work on office with option of step desk.
Everyone on my moms side of family has had varicose veins . After getting pregnant and for 9 month my FEET AND LEGS WERE HUGE. In my left leg, I do have a varicose vein which is not working to its full capacity according to the vascular surgeon . I do not have any bruising or blood pulling in ankles or discolouration. As a result of that there is nothing that he can do. I get daily leg pain, if I do not wear compression socks, my feet below my knees feel like stones. Swelling is there heaviness. My right leg swells more but I do not have issues with veins yet.

I want these out and gone but surgeon wouldn’t take ’em out that would put me as a high risk of blood clot and etc . I even ask to burn them nope.

What am I doing wrong or what is happening with my body. I honestly do not care about the vein look ….i care to be pain free and free from compression socks at least some less wearing.

What can I do get rid off the swelling ?

I've been reading through this thread and wanted to share something that doesn't get mentioned nearly enough in RLS discussions — the connection between venous insufficiency and restless leg symptoms.

There's actually published research showing that when underlying venous reflux is identified and treated, RLS symptoms significantly improve or resolve in a high percentage of patients.

A lot of people cycle through medications for years without anyone ever doing a venous duplex ultrasound to check for reflux. If you haven't been evaluated for venous disease, it might be worth asking your doctor about it — it's a simple, non-invasive ultrasound. Just wanted to put this on people's radar.

Hi everyone! My husband is in his 30’s and has begun struggling with painful varicose veins in his legs. His mom has them and has told him that they are hereditary and that there isn’t much that can be done besides compression stockings and ablation. A few years ago he tried having an ablation done, but that resulted in more varicose veins unfortunately.

I hate seeing him in pain, and I’m worried there could be worse issues down the road, so I’m wondering if anyone has advice on a specialist he could visit in the neighborhood. Has anything worked for you or someone you know?

Hi everyone. I am looking for those with personal experience and suggestions.

I am 40 years old and have had varicose veins since I first got pregnant at 27 years old. My left leg is worse and the bulging rope vein starts at my foot and travels up to mid thigh. Also have issues with spider veins.

I hate my legs. I refuse to wear shorts or short dresses, even in the horrible summer heat. I am so embarrassed of how my legs look. My husband and I are planning my dream vacation to Bora Bora (going a year from now), and I just want to be able to not hate myself in a bathing suit. 😭

I have contemplated the vein surgeries for years but have a friend who has had 8-12 of them now and she swears she regrets ever doing it. She has had varicose veins pop up worse in other places. Every time she gets a surgery new ones feed somewhere else. I truly don’t want to spend the money and go through all the mess if that’s what’s going to happen. Has anyone else experienced this?

Are there any procedures that aren’t as invasive that help reduce the appearance of these veins?

So I had my surgery on Tuesday (23/06/26)I had prominent veins on my right leg and skin changes beginning to happen. I'm in the UK so getting the NHS to do anything is a bit of a drama. The surgeon told me they were going to use foam in most of the veins even the bits that I thought looked pretty enlarged and prominent. He said they were too close to the surface of the skin, he would use the RFA in a small portion of the vein that is far enough below the skin for him to use RFA. I was a bit unhappy with this as my reading said that foam was a poor choice in more enlarged veins compared to RFA.

I took the bandages off yesterday and had a cool shower. The veins looked pretty much flat the whole time and I was fairly happy. I put my compression stocking back on. I'm at the point where I have been told to keep the stocking on 24/7 for the first week. Then the week after I will only have it on during the day and not at night.

Today when I took my stocking off to have a shower I noticed a small bulge near the knee that was always a bad bit and puffiness around where the skin changes are. I've had an itching sensation along most of the vein that was treated. I'm worried that the vein hasn't closed properly due to using foam and I'll still be left with prominent veins and the skin changes won't revert to normal.

I was hoping to hear a few experiences from people who may have had similar treatments, I wanted to find out if seeing some of the veins still is normal whilst they are being broken down?