What is the approximate time that Varicose Vein Surgery takes?

How long does the procedure itself take, and how much time should I expect for recovery?

Answers from doctors (7)


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on May 15, 2018

Laser ablation of a saphnenous veins should only take about 30 minutes. If your surgeon is also doing microphlebectomy (removal of varicose veins, then it will take 20-30 mins longer depending on how much is to be done.
We schedule our patients to be here about 1.5 hrs for pre and post treatment prep and instructions. We apply a dressing and hose for 48 hrs but encourage walking often. After that just the hose are worn for a week. Recovery is short. I call all my patients the next day and many are away from home, driving and getting on with their daily lives. Heavy exercises can be resumed after the first week, but patients can walk, do treadmill and elliptical for short periods in that time. Discomfort is minimal but does vary from person to person. Ibuprofen helps with this.

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Answered by Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Laser ablation of a saphnenous veins should only take about 30 minutes. If your surgeon is also doing microphlebectomy (removal of varicose veins, then it will take 20-30 mins longer depending on how much is to be done.
We schedule our patients to be here about 1.5 hrs for pre and post treatment prep and instructions. We apply a dressing and hose for 48 hrs but encourage walking often. After that just the hose are worn for a week. Recovery is short. I call all my patients the next day and many are away from home, driving and getting on with their daily lives. Heavy exercises can be resumed after the first week, but patients can walk, do treadmill and elliptical for short periods in that time. Discomfort is minimal but does vary from person to person. Ibuprofen helps with this.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Jun 04, 2012

The procedure for laser closure takes about 45 minutes to an hour. Ligation and stripping may take longer. Recovery from laser closure is 1 to 4 days and for ligation and stripping about 2 weeks.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

The procedure for laser closure takes about 45 minutes to an hour. Ligation and stripping may take longer. Recovery from laser closure is 1 to 4 days and for ligation and stripping about 2 weeks.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Laser Vein Center

Published on Jan 03, 2010

It depends on the procedure. An endovenous ablation takes less than 20- 30 minutes. Microphlebectomy (removal of the superficial veins) can take an additional 30 or 40 minutes depending on how many veins. The old way of treating veins (stripping and ligation) is no longer necessary which took even longer. There is no downtime for the current procedures. Some bruising is to be expected.

Answered by Laser Vein Center (View Profile)

It depends on the procedure. An endovenous ablation takes less than 20- 30 minutes. Microphlebectomy (removal of the superficial veins) can take an additional 30 or 40 minutes depending on how many veins. The old way of treating veins (stripping and ligation) is no longer necessary which took even longer. There is no downtime for the current procedures. Some bruising is to be expected.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Miller Vein

Published on Dec 17, 2009

It depends on the procedure. An endovenous ablation takes less than 20 minutes. Microphlebectomy (removal of the superficial veins) can take an additional 20 or 30 minutes depending on how many veins. The old way of treating veins (stripping and ligation) is no longer necessary. There is no downtime for the current procedures. Some bruising is to be expected.

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Answered by Miller Vein

It depends on the procedure. An endovenous ablation takes less than 20 minutes. Microphlebectomy (removal of the superficial veins) can take an additional 20 or 30 minutes depending on how many veins. The old way of treating veins (stripping and ligation) is no longer necessary. There is no downtime for the current procedures. Some bruising is to be expected.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialty Medical Clinic, Inc.

Published on Dec 16, 2009

Considering great advancements in this field, surgery as an option is almost obsolete for treatment of most cases of varicose veins. Notably,, there is no need to undergo general anesthesia, and tolerated extreme hospital/operating room costs for most cases of
varicose veins. Of course to have access to modern non-surgical treatments, the patient should seek help from a phlebologist physicians, preferably one who is certified by the American Board of Phlebology.

Modern treatments allow patients to continue routine activities immediately after the treatment, which is done at doctor's office, not in an operating room. Anyhow, period of time for different surgeries is between half hour to 2 hours.

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Answered by Vein Specialty Medical Clinic, Inc.

Considering great advancements in this field, surgery as an option is almost obsolete for treatment of most cases of varicose veins. Notably,, there is no need to undergo general anesthesia, and tolerated extreme hospital/operating room costs for most cases of
varicose veins. Of course to have access to modern non-surgical treatments, the patient should seek help from a phlebologist physicians, preferably one who is certified by the American Board of Phlebology.

Modern treatments allow patients to continue routine activities immediately after the treatment, which is done at doctor's office, not in an operating room. Anyhow, period of time for different surgeries is between half hour to 2 hours.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


General Vascular Surgery Group

Published on Dec 16, 2009

I perform most all procedures in an hour or less.

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Answered by General Vascular Surgery Group

I perform most all procedures in an hour or less.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Angelo N. Makris MD

Published on Dec 16, 2009

An ablation alone takes me about a half hour to perform. There is essentially no recovery. Patients walk out of the office.

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Answered by Angelo N. Makris MD

An ablation alone takes me about a half hour to perform. There is essentially no recovery. Patients walk out of the office.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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