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What are varicose veins and spider veins?
Varicose veins are enlarged veins that can be flesh colored, dark purple or blue. They often look
like cords and appear twisted and bulging. They are swollen and raised above the surface of the skin.
Varicose veins are commonly found on the backs of the calves or on the inside of the leg. During
pregnancy, varicose veins called hemorrhoids can form in the vagina or around the anus.
Spider veins are similar to varicose veins, but they are smaller. They are often red or blue and are
closer to the surface of the skin than varicose veins. They can look like tree branches or spider webs
with their short jagged lines. Spider veins can be found on the legs and face. They can cover either a
very small or very large area of skin.
What causes varicose veins and spider veins?
The heart pumps blood filled with oxygen and nutrients to the whole body. Arteries carry blood from the
heart towards the body parts. Veins carry oxygen-poor blood from the body back to the heart.
The squeezing of leg muscles pumps blood back to the heart from the lower body. Veins have valves that
act as one-way flaps. These valves prevent the blood from flowing backwards as it moves up the legs. If
the one-way valves become weak, blood can leak back into the vein and collect there. This problem is
called venous insufficiency. Pooled blood enlarges the vein and it becomes varicose. Spider veins can also
be caused by the backup of blood. Hormone changes, inherited factors, and exposure to the sun can also
cause spider veins.
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.
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| 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. |
| The operating time is significantly reduced because no bleeding is involved. |
| 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.
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The postoperative period is similar as in the standard liposuction of the abdomen. The patient is able to stand up
from the operating table, ambulate and dress herself/himself at the end of the procedure. This recovery is virtually unheard
of with a standard tummy tuck under general anesthesia or heavy sedation. Due to its long lasting effects, tumescent
anesthesia offers a minimum of 12 hours pain control following the surgery.
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In CHW's hands the abdominoplasty totally under local tumescent anesthesia without undermining results in a shorter a
more aesthetic looking scar when compared with the scar from traditional tummy tuck.
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This new approach creates a more youthful abdominal silhouette and more harmonious results while avoiding complications
and the prolonged recovery time associated with the traditional tummy tuck.
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The Procedure
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.
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