Varicose vein sufferers can benefit from ambulatory phlebectomy--an outpatient procedure that removes bulging, painful veins and allows patients to resume their normal routines immediately after treatment. Using a series of tiny incisions, this procedure actually removes the vein and prevents it from recurring.

The ambulatory phlebectomy procedure is usually performed on larger, superficial veins but can also be used to treat smaller veins. Your specialist will carefully mark the area to be treated and outline the vein(s) designated for removal. A local anesthetic is injected along this area to eliminate discomfort during the procedure. Once numb, the specialist will make incisions along the vein, removing the vein section by section. After the procedure, you will be given compression stockings to wear to aid in the healing process and will usually be given a topical antibiotic cream to apply to the incision sites.

Discomfort following ambulatory phlebectomy is minimal and can be treated with mild pain relievers. Although you may experience some slight swelling or bruising following the procedure, using compression stockings will minimize these effects and speed the healing process. Following the procedure, most patients can expect to return to their normal activities, restricting lifting and strenuous exercise for one to two weeks; the incision sites will fade in six to 12 months. Offering speedy recovery and no downtime, ambulatory phlebectomy has gained in popularity for those individuals looking to permanently rid themselves of painful varicose veins.