Are bulging veins at the knee after GSV normal and will they go away?

I had GSV laser done eight days ago. Now there are bulging veins at the knee and below. Will these go away? I am scheduled for the lower SAF procedure as well.

Answers from doctors (9)


Advanced Vein Center

Published on Aug 24, 2012

They might and they might not. Some patients need phlebectomy after the GSV treatment.
I suspect the veins were there before.

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Answered by Advanced Vein Center

They might and they might not. Some patients need phlebectomy after the GSV treatment.
I suspect the veins were there before.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Arizona Vein Specialists

Published on Aug 23, 2012

If these varicosities receive blood from another source, they
may not fully resolve without further intervention. If the GSV is the only source, they may
deflate over the course of several months.

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Answered by Arizona Vein Specialists

If these varicosities receive blood from another source, they
may not fully resolve without further intervention. If the GSV is the only source, they may
deflate over the course of several months.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Clinic of North Carolina

Published on Aug 22, 2012

We use radiofrequency in our office verses laser. We also treat the
remaining veins with compression sclerotherapy. I am not sure if the office
you are having you laser treatments uses sclerotherapy. You will have to
ask your clinician how the remaining veins are treated. Yes it is normal to
have remaining veins in area that has not been treated. The veins might get
smaller, but generally need further treatment.

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Answered by Vein Clinic of North Carolina

We use radiofrequency in our office verses laser. We also treat the
remaining veins with compression sclerotherapy. I am not sure if the office
you are having you laser treatments uses sclerotherapy. You will have to
ask your clinician how the remaining veins are treated. Yes it is normal to
have remaining veins in area that has not been treated. The veins might get
smaller, but generally need further treatment.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Intermountain Vein Center

Published on Aug 22, 2012

Those veins might disappear, but if you are scheduled to have those removed then that would be the best way to have them treated.

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Answered by Intermountain Vein Center

Those veins might disappear, but if you are scheduled to have those removed then that would be the best way to have them treated.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on Aug 21, 2012

Without seeing your ultrasound pictures it is difficult to say if these originate from the GSV (Long saphenous or SSV (Short). If you had some veins present before the procedure your treating physician may have decided to see if they resolve spontaneously. Wearing your compression for a longer period of time may help. Your surgeon could also perform microphlebectomy (removal through tiny incisions) when he/she seals your SSV.

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Answered by Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Without seeing your ultrasound pictures it is difficult to say if these originate from the GSV (Long saphenous or SSV (Short). If you had some veins present before the procedure your treating physician may have decided to see if they resolve spontaneously. Wearing your compression for a longer period of time may help. Your surgeon could also perform microphlebectomy (removal through tiny incisions) when he/she seals your SSV.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Aug 21, 2012

You must be certain that these "bulging veins" are truly veins and not swelling secondary to microphlebectomies. If due to microphlebectomies, then they will resolve over time. If they are truly veins, then they may resolve over time or require microphlebectomies in the future.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

You must be certain that these "bulging veins" are truly veins and not swelling secondary to microphlebectomies. If due to microphlebectomies, then they will resolve over time. If they are truly veins, then they may resolve over time or require microphlebectomies in the future.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Smith Vein Institute, LLC

Published on Aug 21, 2012

It is difficult to say without examining you. That being said, you may have reflux of the anterior accessory vein that was not previously appreciated. If so, the flow may have redistributed to the anterior accessory after GSV ablation. This may cause the vessel and it's tributary branches to dilate and be what you are seeing.

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Answered by Smith Vein Institute, LLC

It is difficult to say without examining you. That being said, you may have reflux of the anterior accessory vein that was not previously appreciated. If so, the flow may have redistributed to the anterior accessory after GSV ablation. This may cause the vessel and it's tributary branches to dilate and be what you are seeing.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Heart and Vein Center

Published on Aug 21, 2012

It is quite possible that those "bulging veins" will diminish in size after the other vein is treated. It is also possible that those veins are now thrombosed (have a clot) since the reflux was eliminated from the great saphenous vein.

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Answered by Heart and Vein Center

It is quite possible that those "bulging veins" will diminish in size after the other vein is treated. It is also possible that those veins are now thrombosed (have a clot) since the reflux was eliminated from the great saphenous vein.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Center of Orange County

Published on Aug 21, 2012

Thermal ablation procedures eliminate the deeper saphenous vein; sometimes this also eliminates the surface branches, but most often it does not. That is why thermal ablation is frequently combined with either
phlebectomy or sclerotherapy at the same session. Sounds like your doctor performs these procedures separately.

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Answered by Vein Center of Orange County

Thermal ablation procedures eliminate the deeper saphenous vein; sometimes this also eliminates the surface branches, but most often it does not. That is why thermal ablation is frequently combined with either
phlebectomy or sclerotherapy at the same session. Sounds like your doctor performs these procedures separately.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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