Is there a way to get rid of varicose veins?

SPNLuver83
SPNLuver83 Posts: 2,050 Member
in Chit-Chat
Ok so I've had these damn varicose veins on my left leg pretty much for as long as I can remember, including in my childhood. They weren't really that noticeable, but as I have lost weight they have become way more noticeable. Is there anything I can do to get rid of them??!

Replies

  • chatipati1
    chatipati1 Posts: 211 Member
    First of all...are they really varicose or spider....I mean varicose look like grapes on the leg...which I had...and had them stripped years ago...no big deal
  • melinda200208
    melinda200208 Posts: 525 Member
    See your doctor. They can strip your veins ( I know it doesn't sounds good) But, with general anesthesia or a strong IV Sedation, this can be done. I don't know of any other way to get rid of them..??

    Ok so I've had these damn varicose veins on my left leg pretty much for as long as I can remember, including in my childhood. They weren't really that noticeable, but as I have lost weight they have become way more noticeable. Is there anything I can do to get rid of them??!
  • melonclarinet
    melonclarinet Posts: 163 Member
    They can use lasers to get rid of them, I believe.
  • Elzecat
    Elzecat Posts: 2,916 Member
    My "spider veins" have gotten less noticeable since I started working out regularly, but I don't have full varicose veins, I don't know if those can improve from exercise (better circulation?)
  • Brenda_Pancakes
    Brenda_Pancakes Posts: 288 Member
    SPNLuver83 - Just cover them with tattoos. You know you wanna.... :)
  • kimad
    kimad Posts: 3,010 Member
    There is nothing you can do yourself, but your doctor can... or he can refer you to someone who can...
  • pten0pus
    pten0pus Posts: 25
    I have spider veins on the back of my right knee and would love an answer to this as well. (bump)
  • Pedal_Pusher
    Pedal_Pusher Posts: 1,166 Member
    I'd go see a physician.
  • MinMin97
    MinMin97 Posts: 2,674 Member
    Bump
  • Onesnap
    Onesnap Posts: 2,819 Member
    surgery.

    My Mom had the surgery earlier this year (one leg at a time). They are inherited, and that was the only way to get rid of them (she lost a lot of weight as well but she's had them for many decades). The surgery is kind of nasty...but it's the only solution.

    One thing to keep in mind for those that do have the surgery. If the person ever needs bypass surgery (heart) later on they no longer have leg veins to harvest (typically what is done for bypass). So, they have to go to the arms instead (really tough recovery on that). :(
  • avasano
    avasano Posts: 487 Member
    Yes, a doctor can put a small injection in them, a health care professional told me.
  • Onesnap
    Onesnap Posts: 2,819 Member
    They can use lasers to get rid of them, I believe.

    They cannot use lasers in every case. :(
  • SmexAppeal
    SmexAppeal Posts: 858 Member
    I asked my doctor about it. There is no natural way to lighten them unfortunately.
    He basically said the stripping thing. Which scares the **** out of me, but if they get any worse.... I'm gonna save up for that.
    Does anyone know how much a procedure like this costs?
  • Onesnap
    Onesnap Posts: 2,819 Member
    I have spider veins on the back of my right knee and would love an answer to this as well. (bump)

    spider veins can be treated with laser. Varicose are different. Go to a vein center for spider veins. There should be one in your area.
  • Onesnap
    Onesnap Posts: 2,819 Member
    I asked my doctor about it. There is no natural way to lighten them unfortunately.
    He basically said the stripping thing. Which scares the **** out of me, but if they get any worse.... I'm gonna save up for that.
    Does anyone know how much a procedure like this costs?

    The procedure depends on how much is covered by health insurance. You can get a free consultation at a vein center to find out the true cost in your area.
  • foxyforce
    foxyforce Posts: 3,078 Member
    SPNLuver83 - Just cover them with tattoos. You know you wanna.... :)

    this!
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    I'm not sure if they still strip veins - the procedures I've heard of more recently is one of two less invasive methods. One, they use lasers to basically close up the vein from the inside or 2) they inject something that iritates the vessels and causes them to shut down. My mother had the laser procedure done years ago and it's helped a lot with her discomfort. And to the PP's question, if you have spider veins, there are laser treatments to help those be less visible too.

    As far as looks go, they don't bulge as much but you can still sort of see them. Tanning is the best way to make veins less visible. If your skin is pale, that blueness really sticks out but if your skin is darkened, they're much less visible. Maybe check out that spray tanning if you don't want to sit in the sun or use tanning beds.

    I've got horrible vericosities in my left leg that are super uncomfortable this time of year in the heat and humidity. They're itchy, sore and achy. Haven't resorted to wearing support hose yet but there are days when I think about it pretty seriously! And I know at some point in the next 10 years I need to have something done to help with the discomfort.

    Losing weight and getting active didn't make a difference in mine either way...they've only gotten worse with age. Although in my case, that could be because of genetics (everyone on my mother's side of the family has them, even her brother).
  • toabetterlifestyle
    toabetterlifestyle Posts: 230
    My nana has had spider and varicose veins for a long time. She is now 57. She has had everything done to try to remove them. She had laser surgery THREE times and then had to wear some sort of cream under stockings for a week, and nothing happened. They faded a bit but are still there and noticeable. :/ Same thign with stretch marks kind of. They will always be there even after laser surgery, they're just less noticeable sometimes.
  • livestar
    livestar Posts: 140 Member
    There are a number of ways to get rid of them, depending on what you have and where they're located it can be laser, injections, or surgery. All options are safe and effective. Just google vein center and you're zip code and you'll find a place.
  • marycmeadows
    marycmeadows Posts: 1,691 Member
    SPNLuver83 - Just cover them with tattoos. You know you wanna.... :)

    I like this idea!! I have one on my right leg.... never was a problem until I lost weight!! grr!
  • lissaann22479
    lissaann22479 Posts: 163
    SPNLuver83 - Just cover them with tattoos. You know you wanna.... :)



    I like this idea!
  • SPNLuver83
    SPNLuver83 Posts: 2,050 Member
    They aren't spider. Def varicose. Raised and what not. Boo. I was really hoping there were other options other than surgery as I don't think my insurance would cover it since it's for cosmetic reasons...

    I wonder if you can tattoo over them..... hmmmm
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,979 Member
    Ok so I've had these damn varicose veins on my left leg pretty much for as long as I can remember, including in my childhood. They weren't really that noticeable, but as I have lost weight they have become way more noticeable. Is there anything I can do to get rid of them??!
    In our Wellness Center, there is laser surgery for it. I've seen some of the results and it's impressive.


    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • vim_n_vigor
    vim_n_vigor Posts: 4,089 Member
    They aren't spider. Def varicose. Raised and what not. Boo. I was really hoping there were other options other than surgery as I don't think my insurance would cover it since it's for cosmetic reasons...

    I wonder if you can tattoo over them..... hmmmm

    If they are causing pain, then the procedure is no longer cosmetic btw....
  • jessjpjb
    jessjpjb Posts: 38
    Do your veins bother you? hurt? Mine are starting too, (behind my left knee) but I am an avid walker and just started the C25K treadmill running program.
  • Daniella_89
    Daniella_89 Posts: 8
    I am a nurse and I had done some training at a cosmetic Dermatology and theres something called Sclerotherapy that can get rid of varicose/spider veins. They are tiny injections that go into the vein that causes them to harden and then gradually break up. During my training we had done about 5 different people and I did ask them how it felt and none of them said it was bad. It was this pinching feeling. 1 said it hurt a tiny bit. But because the vein is so close to the surface the needle just slightly goes in.
  • SPNLuver83
    SPNLuver83 Posts: 2,050 Member
    They don't hurt or bother me, but perhaps if I told the doctor they did maybe insurance would cover it... hmm... something to think about. Thanks guys!
  • tiffanyw5
    tiffanyw5 Posts: 152 Member
    i had a few spider ones and now that ive been working out they got bigger and i now have more than i had before on my thighs and now i have one on each shin too i have heard of lots of things they can do but lots of money unless its a mediacl reason and then ins will pay good luck ill just keep shorts on that cover them ugly things or maybe tan them not sure that would cover them
  • benamr3
    benamr3 Posts: 1
    this varicose veins cure help me a lot!
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoqQwLWlZ8o&feature=youtu.be

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