Will varicose vein surgery prevent me from getting blood clots?

Will varicose vein surgery prevent me from getting blood clots? I've had two blood clots in my leg. As we speak, I have chronic blood clot in my right arm. I need some advice; I don't want to die.

Answers from doctors (11)


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on Oct 22, 2018

You should be under the care of a hematologist or vascular surgeon and on blood thinners.

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Answered by Vein Specialties of St. Louis

You should be under the care of a hematologist or vascular surgeon and on blood thinners.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Intermountain Vein Center

Published on Apr 01, 2014

Not necessarily, especially if you have a clot in your arm. It will improve your circulation, especially in your legs. But honestly, I don't have enough info on your medical history to tell you yes or no. Make sure you are seeing the experts; typically interventional radiologists are the best to see with chronic clot issues. Also, make sure that your physician is accredited by the American College of Phlebology.

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Answered by Intermountain Vein Center

Not necessarily, especially if you have a clot in your arm. It will improve your circulation, especially in your legs. But honestly, I don't have enough info on your medical history to tell you yes or no. Make sure you are seeing the experts; typically interventional radiologists are the best to see with chronic clot issues. Also, make sure that your physician is accredited by the American College of Phlebology.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Finesse Surgical Solutions

Published on Mar 17, 2014

Varicose vein surgery will reduce the risk of subsequent blood clots, but it will not provide absolute protection.

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Answered by Finesse Surgical Solutions

Varicose vein surgery will reduce the risk of subsequent blood clots, but it will not provide absolute protection.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


My answer to this is two-fold.

1) If you have had multiple blood clots, I would recommend lifelong anticoagulation, especially if any have traveled to your lungs (pulmonary embolism). I would also see your primary MD for a hypercoaguable work up, especially if you have family members with blood clots. Xarelto is a new medicine that can be taken daily to prevent blood clots without monitoring blood levels and they diet/medication interactions that make the classic anticoagulant Coumadin so unattractive.

2) An ultrasound to assess reflux in your leg veins would be the first step. Typically if you have had a DVT there is no surgery to keep clots from forming. If the clots have damage more superficial veins like the saphenous veins and there is backflow they could be closed to help leg pain/edema. Depending on how much deep vein reflux you may have will affect how much benefit it will give you. If the clots are in varicose veins on the surface of the skin then ambulatory phlebectomy to remove the varicose veins can help.
Lastly if you have recurrent blood clots in the legs and blood thinning doesn't help an IVC filter can be placed to prevent clots from traveling to your lungs.

Answered by HeartCare Associates Vein Center (View Profile)

My answer to this is two-fold.

1) If you have had multiple blood clots, I would recommend lifelong anticoagulation, especially if any have traveled to your lungs (pulmonary embolism). I would also see your primary MD for a hypercoaguable work up, especially if you have family members with blood clots. Xarelto is a new medicine that can be taken daily to prevent blood clots without monitoring blood levels and they diet/medication interactions that make the classic anticoagulant Coumadin so unattractive.

2) An ultrasound to assess reflux in your leg veins would be the first step. Typically if you have had a DVT there is no surgery to keep clots from forming. If the clots have damage more superficial veins like the saphenous veins and there is backflow they could be closed to help leg pain/edema. Depending on how much deep vein reflux you may have will affect how much benefit it will give you. If the clots are in varicose veins on the surface of the skin then ambulatory phlebectomy to remove the varicose veins can help.
Lastly if you have recurrent blood clots in the legs and blood thinning doesn't help an IVC filter can be placed to prevent clots from traveling to your lungs.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Michael F. Gioscia, MD, FACS, ABVLM

Published on Mar 06, 2014

The first thing that you should have is an evaluation by a hematologist to determine if you have a thrombophilia (increased risk of clotting). This may be an inherited trait. You should not have any procedures (vein or otherwise) done until you have been seen.

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Answered by Michael F. Gioscia, MD, FACS, ABVLM

The first thing that you should have is an evaluation by a hematologist to determine if you have a thrombophilia (increased risk of clotting). This may be an inherited trait. You should not have any procedures (vein or otherwise) done until you have been seen.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Center of Orange County

Published on Mar 06, 2014

There is a high probability you have some type of hypercoagulable condition rendering you susceptible to blood clots. If it is not already done, you should have special lab tests to determine why you are having so many clots. By doing this, your doctor can recommend the most appropriate measures that should be taken to improve your condition and quality of life.

Clots in the leg are fairly common, but clots in the arm are not and demand investigation. Furthermore, varicose vein surgery is rarely performed nowadays with the proven effectiveness of non-invasive thermal and chemical ablation methods. Good luck!

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Answered by Vein Center of Orange County

There is a high probability you have some type of hypercoagulable condition rendering you susceptible to blood clots. If it is not already done, you should have special lab tests to determine why you are having so many clots. By doing this, your doctor can recommend the most appropriate measures that should be taken to improve your condition and quality of life.

Clots in the leg are fairly common, but clots in the arm are not and demand investigation. Furthermore, varicose vein surgery is rarely performed nowadays with the proven effectiveness of non-invasive thermal and chemical ablation methods. Good luck!

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

Published on Mar 06, 2014

Clots in varicose veins are painful but don't move. The same is true for the arm veins you can see. Clots in the deep veins that you cannot be seen are dangerous because they can move. Getting rid of varicose veins does not prevent deep vein clots. If you have deep vein clots you need to see a Hematologist.

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Answered by Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

Clots in varicose veins are painful but don't move. The same is true for the arm veins you can see. Clots in the deep veins that you cannot be seen are dangerous because they can move. Getting rid of varicose veins does not prevent deep vein clots. If you have deep vein clots you need to see a Hematologist.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Care of New Mexico

Published on Mar 06, 2014

No. It may reduce risk for superficial thrombophlebitis.

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Answered by Vein Care of New Mexico

No. It may reduce risk for superficial thrombophlebitis.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Laser Vein Center

Published on Mar 05, 2014

No vein surgery will not prevent you from getting blood clots. It sound
like you may need to on a blood thinner to prevent clots. I would consult
with your doctor.

Answered by Laser Vein Center (View Profile)

No vein surgery will not prevent you from getting blood clots. It sound
like you may need to on a blood thinner to prevent clots. I would consult
with your doctor.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Mar 05, 2014

Varicose vein surgery will not prevent you from getting blood clots. If you have had recurrent clots, then you should have an evaluation to see if you have a propensity to clot (hypercoagulable). See a hematologist.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Varicose vein surgery will not prevent you from getting blood clots. If you have had recurrent clots, then you should have an evaluation to see if you have a propensity to clot (hypercoagulable). See a hematologist.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Veins etc. at Comprehensive Cardiovascular Consultants

Published on Mar 05, 2014

Yes, varicose vein surgery can prevent you from getting blot clots, but the procedure itself can cause them.

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Answered by Veins etc. at Comprehensive Cardiovascular Consultants

Yes, varicose vein surgery can prevent you from getting blot clots, but the procedure itself can cause them.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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