Is it normal that the saphenous vein I had laser treatment on is still extremely visible from groin to knee, one month after treatment?
I received laser treatment on both legs about a month ago. The vein is still very visible and blue all the way from groin to knee, where it's also still bulging as it was before treatment. It is 1-cm wide. How long should I wait for it to fade away? My doctor checked that it's closed, but it now looks much worse than before and I'm having a hard time believing it will ever disappear. Also, it doesn't feel hard like I was told it should. Is there still hope?
Answers from doctors (8)
You may want to get a second opinion from another doctor, as it does not sound closed.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
This is common with laser ablations and the venefit procedure (previously called VNUS closure), when segments of the vein are just beneath the skin. I often excise this vein while performing the procedure to avoid situations like you described. The cosmetic result is better and the recovery is quicker. An experienced surgeon can perform this without difficulty. Non surgeons are less comfortable doing this.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Venous ablation typically causes the vein to shrink over time. Occasionally blood may not evacuate the vein completely and cause visible staining of the skin, especially in thin individuals.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
When closed completely, the vein will gradually shrink. However, it takes six months. The discoloration should improve as well.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
It is not unusual, especially if the vein was originally very superficial, This can take up to a year to break down and be resorbed. Sadly, for people with thin legs, this can even leave a faint staining affect even after resorbed that can be permanent.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
The saphenous vein, by definition, runs below the skin. The vein you see is most likely not that, but possibly a branch. If a vein has been closed, it should be hard or firm to the touch. I agree it's probably not going to go away without some further intervention.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
If you had a superficial saphenous vein treated with laser (in other words, if it was very close to the surface) there is an increased chance of pigmentation from the vein as it is absorbed by the body. This could be permanent. In our center, we typically remove the vein by a procedure under local anesthesia (minimally invasive) with excellent results, but if your doctor isn't a vascular trained surgeon, he probably doesn't do these alternative procedures.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
I would suggest that you schedule an appointment to see the doctor.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
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