FYI Cosmetics

Varicose veins are a true problem for many men and women, which is why treatments such as vein stripping have been developed. Everyone wants to have soft, smooth skin, however only a healthy skin can give you these attributes. Varicose veins not only cause problems on the inside of your body, they also can be visually unappealing. Enlarged, distended and twisted varicose veins that lie at the surface of the skin are both a medical and cosmetic problem. Those men and women suffering from the condition of varicose veins often go to great lengths to remove them. Over the years, many vein removal treatments have been developed, but the vein stripping procedure has proven to be both reliable and effective.

There are many factors that lead to the formation of varicose veins; the most prominent include genetics, gender, weight, age and the amount of strain that is put on the legs. Varicose veins are large, bluish in color and tend to protrude or bulge from the lower and/or upper legs. The bulging occurs as a result of a buildup of blood within the vein due to incompetent valves. Inside each vein reside valves that help to compartmentalize blood flow to the extremities; compartmentalizing the blood enables the body to be able to control blood flow as the heart pumps. Each beat of our heart pushes small amounts of blood through each vein segment, but when valves become damaged, more blood remains within specific vein segments, which cause these segments to expand. Over time, the expansion continually increases which leads to bulging—the bulging brings the vein closer to the surface.

Many individuals can live with varicose veins their entire lives and never have any problems, yet others can experience some or all of the symptoms associated with this type of vein damage. Some of the most common symptoms experienced include an achy or heavy feeling in your legs, significant pain after sitting or standing for an extended period of time, burning, throbbing, muscle cramping and swelling, itching, or skin ulcers. If patients experience these symptoms on a persistent basis or have a large portion of damaged veins, then a vein removal treatment such as vein stripping may be required.

Vein stripping is a surgical procedure designed to remove large varicose veins from the upper and lower legs. Vein stripping is performed in order to relieve the symptoms associated with varicose veins as well as improve the cosmetic appearance of the leg. Depending on the patient and the severity of the veins, either a local or a general anesthesia will be administered. Before the procedure beings, your physician will perform an ultrasound on the area in order to establish vein function and identify any blood clots that may be present. Once set, the physician will begin with an incision in the groin area in order to locate and mark the veins being treated and all its branches. Another incision is made at the ankle; a “stripper” is inserted throughout the leg to pull the vein out. The remaining ends of the veins are tied off or ligated in order to prevent the reoccurrence of varicose veins.

Once the treatment is completed, the incisions will be closed with sutures and the leg will be wrapped in a compression bandage in order to help minimize bruising and swelling. Some downtime will be required, and patients could experience some or all of the side effects including pain, bruising, bleeding, swelling, numbness and infection. If experienced at all, these side effects are minimal and short lived. Within 7 to 10 days, patients can resume their normal daily activities, all while enjoying their smooth, vein free legs. For those looking to treat unsightly varicose veins, consider vein stripping.