Has anyone had endovenous laser therapy (EVLT) for closing up varicose veins? It's an minimally-invasive, outpatient procedure that takes about an hour. The vein is collapsed using laser energy delivered from a thin laser fiber placed within the vein.

I'm thinking about having this done, as my legs feel achy and heavy much of the time, and I'm losing sleep due to the discomfort. I had an ultrasound done on both legs, and the test showed faulty valves, so the doctor (vascular surgeon) recommended EVLT. I'll be wearing compression hose for 3 months, then have the procedure done. He'll do one leg, then the other one two weeks later. It'll probably be late November. I've been researching this procedure and compression hose on the internet, learning all I can. I would just like to know if anyone has had this done and if they're happy with the results.

Hi RedFox,
I have not personally had it done but I have a girlfriend who has and she is very happy with it. She says it doesn't hurt and has so far noticed some real improvement in both appearance and how her legs feel at the end of the day. I don't think she's completely finished with the treatments but should be soon. I'm signed up to have the sclerotherapy on my spider veins soon and can't wait to get rid of the really dark and big areas. Maybe after that I'll think about the EVLT.
good luck and let us all know how it turns out for you if you end up going with it.
Jan

Jan, thanks for posting so quickly! I'm so glad to hear your friend has had EVLT and is happy with her results. I bet she's thrilled to see those improvements. I've always been bothered by the ugliness of my veins, but have put up with it, which means wearing capris and long pants during the summer. Ugh! But, when my legs began aching and feeling heavy and tired, it became time to do something about it. I'm actually looking forward to this!

I had Venus Closure performed 5 years ago on my left leg. My leg used to ache terribly from a huge varicose vein in that leg. It was one of the best things I ever did for myself! The surgery was a simple outpatient procedure done in the morning. I was walking in the mall that afternoon. I hadn't worn shorts in years. I went out and bought myself a wardrobe of summer shorts! I had forgotten how good shorts felt! No more pain. The only regret I had, was that I didn't do it sooner.

Hi!
I am really interested to know more about this procedure! I have for years and years had a huge vein in my left leg (long saphenous, it's called I think), it's the main one in the leg. It looks horrible, and I hide it . A few years ago I was thinking of getting it done, but was not keen on the anesthetic - I have BP issues etc. I have so many other things to deal with, arthritis etc, but if I thought there was a new successful procedure that did not entail a full anesthetic I would go for it! I would so love to wear knee length dresses again, as I am small and they suit me better that length.

Primrose

Aldona and Primrose, thanks for responding, and I'm very sorry I didn't see your posts until now. I had been checking this thread periodically, but I somehow missed your replies.

Aldona, is the venus closure procedure the same as endovenous laser therapy (EVLT)? That is fantastic that your procedure worked so well! I live in North Carolina and would LOVE to wear shorts in the hot summertime, but I just wear capris, which cover most of my varicose veins. Like you had, I have a huge one on my right leg which starts at my ankle in the back of my leg, and runs all the way up and ends mid-thigh. I have an appointment with the doctor in November to schedule the laser surgery, as I have to wear support hose (just to the knee) to satisfy insurance requirements. Wow, if this really works and I can wear shorts next summer, I will be SO happy!

Primrose, I am pretty excited about this procedure too, since it doesn't require an anesthetic. The doctor told me I would be given a tranquilizer, like Ativan, and a painkiller, Percocet, and that would be all! I can handle that -- easy peasy! Have you researched the EVLT yet? There's lots of info on the net, and it does seem well worth it. Ohhhh, I would LOVE to wear short dresses!!!!! There are so many cute clothes I see that I wish I could wear!

I had a long talk with the nurse the other day, and it sounds like the only negative thing about this (if you can even call this negative), is that after the surgery, I must wear long compression hose (up to the groin) for two weeks. And, for the first three days, I must elevate my legs, cannot stand at all, and can only walk to go to the bathroom. But... that's only for three days... I can handle that! My hubby and son will have to wait on me!!!!!! After the three days, I will continue to wear the compression hose for a total of two weeks, but during that time, I must wear them during the day and can take them off at night. It will be winter then too, so a perfect time to do it.

Winter IS the time to go for it! I did it in November, and by Spring the vein had reabsorbed, and the leg was looking good. The administered a 'twilight' sleep for my surgery. It was very light.

What amazed me was how the pain in that leg disappeared with the surgery. You never really realize how much pain you've been in until it's gone!

Aldona, thanks so much for sharing your experience. You're really helping me to actually look forward to getting this done. I've had varicose veins for 25 years, and I can't imagine having legs I'm not self-conscious about.

My veins hadn't bothered me much until about a year ago when I began to feel such an ache at the end of the day and at night, as well as bruise-like pain in some places. I also have a hard time standing still for any length of time -- it's just really uncomfortable, and I feel like I have to move, to walk. The knee-high compression hose does help some though.

What is "twilight sleep"? A very mild anesthetic?

After you had your procedure, you said you were walking in the mall that afternoon. I wonder why I was told I would be off my feet completely for 3 days? My doctor is a vascular surgeon, and I think he's good. I did find a handful of positive comments about him on an internet site, so I guess I can trust him. I hope so anyway!

Did you just have one leg done? My ultrasound test showed failing valves in both legs, so I will have one leg done, then the other one about two weeks later. I hope to be all done by Christmas. Some Christmas present, huh?

It was that dull ache and bruise like pain that the surgery took care of. I had just one really bad vein. I teach, so I am on my feet for most of everyday. I wore support hose for years hoping that would help, and yes I hid that leg through the summer with jeans. Ugh! What a relief after the surgery!

I was diagnosed with venous reflux disease. I think they used the same type anesthetic they use for a colonoscopy. They put you under for a short period of time. You wake up refreshed with no memory of the procedure.

http://mdveinprofessionals.com/index.cfm

This is a wonderful site with lots of information regarding the procedure I had. My doctor provided a footless compression stocking to wear on that leg after the surgery. I had a band aid over the tiny incision they made at the very top of the leg near the groin. They may have done a stitch or to with an absorbable material... needed to shave just a little before the surgery.

When I said I walked the mall, understand I didn't 'overdo' it. My doctor actually encouraged walking a little as soon as I felt it was comfortable. Truthfully, I was amazed at how little discomfort I had. My mother had the varicose veins in her legs stripped forty years ago. It was a painful procedure back then... requiring a hospital stay, and a few weeks recuperation. I felt very fortunate to have this procedure as an option.

Bring on the shorts! Let us know how you make out.

I was just talking to my husband about this yesterday! I have unsightly veins on my left leg, but was worried about the pain after op, and if it will last long term.

Aldona, thanks for the link. I had a look, and now understand you had a little different procedure, the VNUS closure, where they use radio frequency to close the vein, rather than laser in the EVLT treatment. In reading about the two procedures, they sound very similar though. It's wonderful that there are better methods of dealing with varicose veins than the old stripping and ligation that your mother had. I've read about that operation, and I never wanted to have it done. It does sound very painful all right.

I was also diagnosed with venous reflux disease, with one bad valve in my right leg and two in my left. Ugh, I'm looking at my veins now, trying to imagine a pretty leg with no unsightly veins! Can it be true??!!!!! Man, I'm getting excited about getting them zapped! I can hardly wait to go shopping for shorts.

Thanks for the tip on shaving.

Shirlann, there is so much information on the internet about these newer procedures. From what I've read about them and from what others like Aldona have said, it seems to be the way to go.

Bump

I have an appointment with the vascular surgeon tomorrow to have "before" photos taken of my legs, set up an appointment for the EVLT procedure, and go over any concerns and questions I have. If anyone has any additional information about this procedure, I would love to hear. I'll update this thread with new information gleaned after my appointment tomorrow.

I'm nervous, excited, and a little scared... but that describes my frame of mind before most any doctor's appointment!