varicose vein pain

[emily_in_nc]

EVLT is done by interventional radiologists and by various "vein specialists". Vascular surgeons tend to do the stripping which I did have done about 5 years ago for a giant honker of a vein. That I do NOT recommend to anyone. My surgeon required me to have general anesthesia which really sucked.

My EVLT was done by a vascular surgeon (vascular surgery dept. at UNC). Stripping is much less common these days, he said. I'm lucky to have very good hospitals where I live, though. Both UNC and Duke offer EVLT.

I actually liked having the general anesthesia as I didn't want to feel any pain - and I didn't. I don't have any problems with anesthesia, though. Most who have EVLT have only local anesthetic or IV sedation, but I guess since I went to a vascular surgeon, I got the full kit and kaboodle. It was more expensive as a result. I was very pleased with my surgeon, though.

My varicosities were too large for sclerotherapy -- I'd asked my dermatologist before I went for a consult for EVLT.

Emily