New veins are appearing after my endovenous laser ablation 4 months ago, what does this mean?

I had endovenous laser ablation 4 months ago on my long saphenous vein. Since my surgery, I have noticed more lumpy veins have come up on my leg around my knee and on the front of my leg. The vein that was operated on is gone but more are appearing, what does this mean?

Answers from doctors (9)


The Sheen Vein Institute

Published on Aug 19, 2013

Your body is adjusting to the great saphenous vein being treated. Any time you close a vein down, there is a redistribution of blood volume to adjacent veins. If these veins are abnormal or defective, this extra blood volume can make the vein go bad. That being said, these new veins that result from vein treatments are typically very small but can become bigger and more prominent over years. My suspicion is that whoever did your initial laser ablation procedure, did not treat anything else. So out of 50 yards of abnormal veins within the legs, he/she treated only 2-3 feet of it. They really didn't fix your problem. The doc should have ultrasounded every part of your leg, found all of the abnormal branches within the leg and treated all of them either with a laser or with injections. While those veins are healing, the doc should then turn their attention to all of the visible veins on the skin surface. By addressing all of the veins inside and out, all of the bulging veins, and most of the spider veins and reticular veins should go away.

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Answered by The Sheen Vein Institute

Your body is adjusting to the great saphenous vein being treated. Any time you close a vein down, there is a redistribution of blood volume to adjacent veins. If these veins are abnormal or defective, this extra blood volume can make the vein go bad. That being said, these new veins that result from vein treatments are typically very small but can become bigger and more prominent over years. My suspicion is that whoever did your initial laser ablation procedure, did not treat anything else. So out of 50 yards of abnormal veins within the legs, he/she treated only 2-3 feet of it. They really didn't fix your problem. The doc should have ultrasounded every part of your leg, found all of the abnormal branches within the leg and treated all of them either with a laser or with injections. While those veins are healing, the doc should then turn their attention to all of the visible veins on the skin surface. By addressing all of the veins inside and out, all of the bulging veins, and most of the spider veins and reticular veins should go away.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Clinic of North Carolina

Published on Aug 18, 2013

That can be normal. Did you have compression sclerotherapy in addition to your laser treatment?

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Answered by Vein Clinic of North Carolina

That can be normal. Did you have compression sclerotherapy in addition to your laser treatment?

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Americas Vein Centers - Southborough

Published on Aug 16, 2013

You need to be evaluated. Schedule an appointment with your treating physician.

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Answered by Americas Vein Centers - Southborough

You need to be evaluated. Schedule an appointment with your treating physician.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Intermountain Vein Center

Published on Aug 12, 2013

Those veins could've been there from the beginning but are just now becoming more physically prominent. More treatment would be recommended along with another follow up ultrasound. Make sure your physician is accredited by the American College of Phlebology.

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Answered by Intermountain Vein Center

Those veins could've been there from the beginning but are just now becoming more physically prominent. More treatment would be recommended along with another follow up ultrasound. Make sure your physician is accredited by the American College of Phlebology.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


General Vascular Surgery Group

Published on Aug 08, 2013

Typically when new veins appear, there is another vein besides the treated vein that is feeding them. See your MD. Perhaps you have a perforating vein.

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Answered by General Vascular Surgery Group

Typically when new veins appear, there is another vein besides the treated vein that is feeding them. See your MD. Perhaps you have a perforating vein.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Laser Vein Center

Published on Aug 08, 2013

This can occur. I would follow up with your treating surgeon and see if more treatment is needed.

Answered by Laser Vein Center (View Profile)

This can occur. I would follow up with your treating surgeon and see if more treatment is needed.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Arizona Vein Specialists

Published on Aug 08, 2013

It means your treatment was incomplete and you can complete it now.

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Answered by Arizona Vein Specialists

It means your treatment was incomplete and you can complete it now.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

Published on Aug 08, 2013

Another venous valve may be leaking.

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Answered by Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

Another venous valve may be leaking.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Aug 08, 2013

New veins should not be appearing after a successful ablation, especially varicose veins. The presence of new varicose veins suggests a persistent refluxing valve. I would recommend another complete venous reflux exam to try to identify the source of the veins. You seem to be describing the anterior accessory vein distribution, which may be refluxing.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

New veins should not be appearing after a successful ablation, especially varicose veins. The presence of new varicose veins suggests a persistent refluxing valve. I would recommend another complete venous reflux exam to try to identify the source of the veins. You seem to be describing the anterior accessory vein distribution, which may be refluxing.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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