re:
I've had both done and here's what I know:
Varicose veins and spider veins are essentially 2 different things in the medical world so it helps to think of them differently.
Varicose veins are usually treated by stripping (how I had mine) and laser. Sometimes you can get it covered by insurance. Mine was, just talk to the doctor about it. It wasn't nearly as painful as I thought it would be but you'll have to wear compression stockings for awhile. So far, my varicose veins have not reappeared.
Spider veins annoy me. They are usually treated with something called sclerotherapy. That involves having a solution injected into the vein which causes it to collapse and thus disappear. This is usually cosmetic surgery and costs a few hundred dollars. (mine was $200). Call a couple of places as the price varies. It also really isn't that painful and you will have to wear compression stockings.
One thing you don't read too often is that spider veins have a tendency to reappear after a few years. (which is why they annoy me) Mine did, so I had another sclero session. It's also highly dependent on the skill of the person doing it and their ability to get the needle into small veins. They sometimes takes up to 4 weeks to fade as well.
I'd definitely do it again, and probably will in another two years, although I'm hoping by losing weight the spiders don't make such a common reappearance.
You can get both procedures done at the same time.
If you have any other questions, please ask.
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