Will the RFA procedure alone help the appearance of bulging veins?

My doctor isn’t planning on doing the Phlebectomy at the same time. He said later if needed.

Answers from doctors (9)


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on Jan 28, 2019

In theory, 50% of bulging veins MAY resolve with sealing of the saphenous vein. Many times they will not resolve and in some cases, you can get some inflammation/superficial clotting in them. As a surgeon, I prefer to do all at the same setting. This is more convenient for my patients and also less costly for them. Each surgeon has his/her own preference, so consult with yours.

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Answered by Vein Specialties of St. Louis

In theory, 50% of bulging veins MAY resolve with sealing of the saphenous vein. Many times they will not resolve and in some cases, you can get some inflammation/superficial clotting in them. As a surgeon, I prefer to do all at the same setting. This is more convenient for my patients and also less costly for them. Each surgeon has his/her own preference, so consult with yours.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Center of Westlake Village

Published on Aug 11, 2015

Your doctor appears to be following proper procedure. The Radio Frequency Ablation may resolve your symptoms of "bulging veins" without further treatment. If this procedure does not resolve all of your complaints, a procedure such as sclerotherapy may be performed to clear any remaining symptoms. It is best to have patience and correct this problem step by step.

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Answered by Vein Center of Westlake Village

Your doctor appears to be following proper procedure. The Radio Frequency Ablation may resolve your symptoms of "bulging veins" without further treatment. If this procedure does not resolve all of your complaints, a procedure such as sclerotherapy may be performed to clear any remaining symptoms. It is best to have patience and correct this problem step by step.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Aug 10, 2015

Most closure procedures alone will not get rid of all varicose veins. Although the companies say that a closure will eradicate the varicose veins, it has been my experience over 15 years of doing this, that microphlebectomies are needed to remove the varicose veins.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Most closure procedures alone will not get rid of all varicose veins. Although the companies say that a closure will eradicate the varicose veins, it has been my experience over 15 years of doing this, that microphlebectomies are needed to remove the varicose veins.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Advanced Vein Center

Published on Aug 07, 2015

Many varices do resolve spontaneously after ablation. It is not unreasonable to observe and treat at a later date.

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Answered by Advanced Vein Center

Many varices do resolve spontaneously after ablation. It is not unreasonable to observe and treat at a later date.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Susan B Fox, D.O. RPVI, FSVM

Published on Aug 02, 2015

The answer is sometimes. I would say that RFA ans EVLA are procedures that act to turn off the faucet causing the venous disease but often you need further treatments with either sclerotherapy on phlebectomies to get rid of all of the bulging or bothersome veins. Often, we stage the procedures especially if the bulging vein is very extensive to see what will go away on its own after a procedure.

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Answered by Susan B Fox, D.O. RPVI, FSVM

The answer is sometimes. I would say that RFA ans EVLA are procedures that act to turn off the faucet causing the venous disease but often you need further treatments with either sclerotherapy on phlebectomies to get rid of all of the bulging or bothersome veins. Often, we stage the procedures especially if the bulging vein is very extensive to see what will go away on its own after a procedure.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


The Sheen Vein Institute

Published on Jul 31, 2015

No. The RF procedure is uses to treat your saphenous vein reflux. It does not directly address your ropey veins or any other vein issues in your leg for that matter. In reality, should you undergo the RF procedure and nothing else, you will have only treated a very small portion of your vein issues. Proper vein treatment requires that the doc treat all aspects of your vein structure from your saphenous vein all the way out to your spider veins. Each of those veins is defective and require treatment in order to fix the circulatory problem caused by your vein issues.

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Answered by The Sheen Vein Institute

No. The RF procedure is uses to treat your saphenous vein reflux. It does not directly address your ropey veins or any other vein issues in your leg for that matter. In reality, should you undergo the RF procedure and nothing else, you will have only treated a very small portion of your vein issues. Proper vein treatment requires that the doc treat all aspects of your vein structure from your saphenous vein all the way out to your spider veins. Each of those veins is defective and require treatment in order to fix the circulatory problem caused by your vein issues.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Your doctor is doing the right thing. Phlebectomy should only be performed if the bulging veins do not go down after RFA. Sometimes bulging veins would flatten out or completely disappear after RFA and you can avoid an unnecessary phlebectomy. However I have to say that chances of veins flattening out by themselves after RFA are very small and typically you will end up having a phlebectomy to remove those bulging veins.

Answered by Premier Vein and Vascular Center (View Profile)

Your doctor is doing the right thing. Phlebectomy should only be performed if the bulging veins do not go down after RFA. Sometimes bulging veins would flatten out or completely disappear after RFA and you can avoid an unnecessary phlebectomy. However I have to say that chances of veins flattening out by themselves after RFA are very small and typically you will end up having a phlebectomy to remove those bulging veins.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vascular Center and Vein Clinic of Southern Indiana

Published on Jul 31, 2015

Initially the saphenous vein ablation is performed first to address the venous insufficiency. If there are still large, bulging varicose veins, stab phlebectomy is performed. Vascular surgeons routinely treat these conditions.

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Answered by Vascular Center and Vein Clinic of Southern Indiana

Initially the saphenous vein ablation is performed first to address the venous insufficiency. If there are still large, bulging varicose veins, stab phlebectomy is performed. Vascular surgeons routinely treat these conditions.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Texas Vein And Cosmetic Specialists

Published on Jul 31, 2015

It is my opinion that waiting to perform phlebectomy is beneficial. Although the phlebectomy is usually required, by waiting the phlebectomy is often less involved, meaning fewer incisions for the patient.

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Answered by Texas Vein And Cosmetic Specialists

It is my opinion that waiting to perform phlebectomy is beneficial. Although the phlebectomy is usually required, by waiting the phlebectomy is often less involved, meaning fewer incisions for the patient.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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