Spider Vein Removal- Sclerotherapy
Spider Vein Removal- Sclerotherapy
Are You A Good Candidate
Meeting With The Doctor
How The Procedure Is Performed
What To Expect After Surgery
Possible Side Effects And Risks
How Long Will The Results Last
Questions You May Have
Spider Vein Removal- Sclerotherapy
Millions of women are bothered by spider veins, those small yet unattractive clusters of red, blue, or purple veins that lie close to the surface of the skin and most commonly appear on the thighs, calves, and ankles. Spider veins may appear in a true spider fashion with a group of veins radiating outward from a dark central point. They may resemble tiny branch-like shapes or they may be linear and appear as thin separate lines.
A number of factors contribute to the development of spider veins, including heredity; pregnancy and other events that cause hormonal shifts; weight gain; occupations or activities that require prolonged sitting or standing; and the use of certain medications. Whatever the cause, the doctors at The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery are skilled in the removal of spider veins. Using a technique called sclerotherapy, the spider veins are injected with a sclerosing solution that causes them to collapse and fade from view. The procedure may also remedy the bothersome symptoms associated with spider veins, including aching, burning, swelling, and night cramps.
Are You A Good Candidate for Spider Vein Removal?
Women of any age may be good candidates for sclerotherapy, but most women have the procedure done between thirty and sixty. In some women, spider veins may become noticeable very early - even in the teen years - but for others, the veins may not become obvious until they reach their forties.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it may be better to postpone sclerotherapy treatment. In most cases, spider veins that surface during pregnancy will disappear on their own within three months of birth. Also, because it is not known how the sclerosing solution affects breast milk, nursing mothers are generally advised to wait until after they have stopped breastfeeding.
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Meeting With the Doctor
The doctors and staff at The Metropolitan Institute for
Plastic Surgery have treated many women for spider veins.
The introduction of sclerosing agents that are mild enough
to be used in small veins has made sclerotherapy predictable
and relatively painless. To ensure that you are a good candidate
for spider vein removal, you will meet at length with the
doctors and staff of the Institute before scheduling your
surgery. At this meeting, your spider veins will be evaluated
and the best course of treatment will be determined.
The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery
doctors and staff will:
· Outline in detail how sclerotherapy is performed and what you can expect before, during, and after the procedure
· Clearly discuss the potential risks of the procedure
· Provide detailed cost and payment information
· Answer all your questions
You will be asked to provide:
· Details about your medical history
· A list of all medications you currently take including over the counter medications such as aspirin, vitamins, and herbal supplements
· Information regarding your tobacco and alcohol use
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How The Procedure Is Performed
Sclerotherapy is a relatively simple procedure and generally
requires no anesthesia or sedation.
The procedure will be performed
on an outpatient basis at The Metropolitan Institute for
Plastic Surgery. A typical sclerotherapy session is quick,
lasting only about 15 to 45 minutes. Several sessions may
be needed to treat your spider veins.
After the skin over your spider veins is cleaned with an
antiseptic solution, the doctor pulls the skin taut and
injects the veins with a solution, called a sclerosing agent,
which causes the blood to empty out of the veins. The veins
then become inflamed. When the inflammation subsides, the
walls of the veins are scarred and stick together. This
obliterates the veins so that they are no longer visible.
Approximately one injection is administered for every inch of spider vein, anywhere from 5 to 40 injections per treatment session. You may feel small needle sticks and possibly a mild burning sensation; however, the needle used is so thin and the sclerosing solution so mild that pain is usually minimal. A cotton ball and compression tape is applied to each area of skin as it is completed. Depending on the severity of your spider veins, tight-fitting support hose may be prescribed to guard against blood clots and to promote healing.
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What To Expect After Your Surgery
| Activity | When |
|---|
| Tape Removed | 48 Hours After Surgery |
| Normal Activities | Right Away |
| Shower or Bath | Day After Surgery |
| Second Treatment | Four to Six Weeks After Surgery |
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Immediately After Your Surgery
Spider vein removal is performed at The Metropolitan Institute
for Plastic Surgery. Since the treatment is simple and relatively
painless, you can go home as soon as it is completed. In
addition to the cotton balls and compression tape applied
during the procedure, tight-fitting support hose may be
applied to help prevent blood clots and to facilitate healing.
The cotton balls and tape can be removed after 48 hours;
however, you may be instructed to wear the support hose
for several days.
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The First 24 to 48 Hours After Your Surgery
Though it is not unusual to experience some cramping in the legs for the first day or two after surgery, you can usually resume all normal activities within 48 hours of your spider vein removal. You should walk as often as possible in the first three days after the procedure to prevent clots from forming in the deep veins of the legs. Also, during the period of time required to complete your full course of treatment, prolonged sitting and standing should be avoided, as should squatting, heavy lifting, and all pounding activities such as jogging.
Things To Be Aware Of After Your Surgery
· Avoid long car or plane trips for several days after treatment.
· If you must sit for long periods of time, get up and move around at least once every hour.
· A one-month healing interval is required before you can have your second series of injections in the same site. After each series of injections, you will notice further improvement.
· Treated veins will look worse before they begin to look better. When the compression dressings are removed, you will notice bruising and reddish areas at the injection sites. The bruises will diminish within one month of your surgery.
· There may be some residual brownish pigmentation in the area of the injections; this may take up to a year to fade completely. Sometimes bleaching creams can be used in the short term to help conceal the pigmentation.
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What Are Possible Side Effects or Risks?
Serious medical complications resulting from sclerotherapy
are extremely rare; however, as with all surgical procedures,
they may occur. During your initial consultation with the
doctors and staff of The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic
Surgery, your individual risks will be assessed and discussed.
As with any surgery, you can help reduce the risks by closely
following the pre and post-surgery instructions provided
to you.
Specific potential risks include:
· Formation of blood clots
· Severe inflammation
· Adverse allergic reactions to the sclerosing solution
· Skin injury
· Pigmentation irregularity
How Long Will the Results of Your Spider Vein Removal Last?
Treatment of your spider veins will dramatically improve the appearance of your legs. While sclerotherapy will entirely remove the injected veins, it is important to note that it does not prevent new veins from forming in the future. The length of time for new spider veins to develop is highly individual and, therefore, not predictable.
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Questions You May Have
· Are there other procedures that could be done along with sclerotherapy surgery to enhance the overall appearance of my legs?
Special lasers can be used to treat spider veins. This approach will be discussed with you during your initial consultation.
If you'd like to remove fat from your upper thighs or other
areas of your legs, a new procedure called LipoSelection
can be used to give your legs a more contoured and slimmer
appearance. The doctors at The Metropolitan Institute for
Plastic Surgery are the first specialists in the Washington
DC area certified to perform LipoSelection.
· Will my insurance coverage pay for my spider vein
removal?
Spider vein removal is considered cosmetic surgery and, therefore, is not covered by insurance. You are responsible for the full payment of the procedure. Cost and payment information will be fully discussed with you during your initial consultation.
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