Now that I've lost right at 40 pounds, I'm realizing I have varicose veins behind my knees and it hurts when I exercise. It's kind of a painful pressure.

I guess now that the fat is reducing, the icky veins are protruding. Has anyone else experienced this and if so, do they ever go away?

I go to my yearly exam next month and I've been so excited to surprise my doctor with my 40 pound plus weight loss, but now I'm going to have to ask him about these painful yucky veins.

Am I alone?

I have the veins too, and I'm only 22. Everyone in my family gets them, even those who have always been fit and trim. It's a bit depressing.

Long story short, they do not go away unless you have the surgery done for them. (It's a valve issue) Losing the weight though is good because it reduces the pressure/severity of them over the long term, and it could shrink them slightly. Regular exercise increases the bloodflow which is good, though there is always the issue of blood pooling and clots. The best treatment is to wear support stockings and to make sure you're not standing or sitting for long periods of time.

I guess I don't know much more about them. I haven't been to my doctor in specific for them but I've learned what I can through internet/family. It's a bummer that we have to live with unless you can get the surgery, but then they come back sometimes after that!