Recovery From Endovenous Laser Ablation to Treat Varicose Veins

If you're in the Beverly Hills, California area and are suffering from varicose veins, taking a few moments to explore endovenous laser ablation may be worthwhile. This is a treatment that has helped many individuals in the area find relief from varicose veins, which may appear as bulging from the skin and purplish in color. They may even be associated with pain and heaviness in the legs, making finding treatment urgent for many individuals. Endovenous laser ablation, which may also be referred to as endovenous laser therapy, ELT, laser varicose vein removal or EVLT, is a minimally invasive procedure that may be performed in a doctor's office or clinic.

Patients who undergo this procedure are given protective eye goggles to protect against unplanned exposure to the laser light. The skin will be anesthetized using a topical anesthetic and the physician will begin the procedure by inserting a laser fiber into the problem vein. Ultrasound is used to identify the laser and to verify its position. It is then slowly heating using low energy, and destroys the vein walls so they shrink and the vein closes. The vein will become fibrosed and unable to carry blood. Other veins will then carry out blood flow in the area once the vein has closed.

Each procedure takes about 30 minutes to an hour to perform, and a small dressing is applied over the treatment area following the procedure. The compression bandage should be worn for about a week and patients are typically discharged in about an hour. There are no scars associated with endovenous laser ablation and there is minimal postoperative pain. This procedure provides almost immediate relief from varicose veins and their symptoms. Individuals should walk following treatment and should resume normal activities, although strenuous activities should be avoided. A medical professional in the Beverly Hills area will present a recovery plan that patients should follow.

One of the common questions associated with endovenous laser ablation is whether destroying the greater saphenous vein is harmful. A greater saphenous vein that is thick and thrombosed may actually inhibit blood flow and may be detrimental to circulation. Therefore, destroying a thick and thrombosed greater saphenous vein is not harmful. If it is healthy, however, it should not be destroyed in case it is needed for use in future open heart surgeries.

There are certain risks associated with endovenous laser ablation that individuals are encouraged to discuss with a vein specialist in the Beverly Hills area. These include mild numbness around the thigh, a pulling sensation, phlebitis, deep vein thrombosis, infection at the incision site and other compilations that may be associated with incorrect application of the procedure or problems with the execution of endovenous laser ablation. For this reason, it is important that patients seek treatment from a well-trained and experienced individual in the Beverly Hills area.

When used for a symptomatic patient, endovenous laser ablation may be covered by insurance companies. However, in cases in which endovenous laser ablation is used for cosmetic purposes, it may not be covered. Some insurance companies may require that patients try compression stockings and pain medication for a period to determine if the procedure is medically necessary. For more information, contact your insurance company and a vein specialist in the Beverly Hills area.

Learn more about endovenous laser ablation in Beverly Hills, California .