varicose veins

[Christine]

My mother had hideous spider veins (not varicose, but spider). For most of her 30s, 40s, and even now (she's in her 60s) she has worn shorts because of it. She will still go to the beach in a swimnsuit but will not go out in public in shorts. I don't blame her, they are really bad. I was always scared to death I'd get them, but I didn't. Oh I have one on the inner side of one knee, and then another set around an ankle but that's it, and they don't embarrass me in the least. But my mom's are bad. I wish she would say the heck with it all and just go out, but I can also understand her discomfort with having people look at her. So I understand how you all feel that have them. I think when they get like that, it should no longer be considered "cosmetic." I mean health insurance pays for all sorts of "removals" like port wine stains, ears that stick out, why not this?

 

[Debbie7452]

Honestly, I never covered mine up.We have shorts weather 9 months out of the year too. I saw people at the gym kind of look at my leg, but no one ever commented! Maybe I was just oblivious. I do feel better now that it is fixed. Mostly I'm so grateful the aching and pain is gone. Yes, the smooth appearance has boosted my self-confidence.

 

[zigzagzerr]

I inherited (so lucky!) the super lumpy bumpy varicose veins -- they got much much worse during my pregnancy, and tend to throb if I'm walked around for any length of time.

I had the vein stripped in one leg back in 2005. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't much fun either. Outpatient surgery, out of commission exercise-wise for a few weeks.

I have an appointment in 2 weeks to do the other leg. The doctor I spoke with says that vein stripping is not really done anymore. Now I'm doing something called "venous closure" (or something like that) where they deflate the vein by inserting a catheter. Blood flow is redirected through another vein. I have appointments at the office for 4 consecutive days (about 90 minutes each) and can walk around immediately following. I can't do any "impact" exercise for 2 weeks, but can still move around. My insurance is covering 100%, all I'll pay is $20 copay on each visit.

 

[perfect2me]

I went to USA Vein clinics to have my varicose veins removed. They did the EVLT procedure and I was given compression stockings to wear before and after the visit. The good thing about it was my insurance covered my visits and it was all outpatient and it took about 30 minutes during each visit. For anyone wanting to get help you can look them up online at usaveinclinics.com. You will not reget it I didn't.