What To Expect On Your Varicose Vein Treatment Day

If you're considering varicose vein treatment, it’s completely normal to feel a little nervous. It’s a big step, both in terms of time and investment. Many people haven’t had medical treatments before and don’t know what to expect. At UK Vein Clinic, we’re here to reassure you every step of the way.

From the moment you arrive, our team will guide you through the process, making sure you feel comfortable, informed, and supported.

Preparing for Your Treatment

When you arrive, you’ll meet either one of our specialist nurses or the surgeon who will carry out your procedure. They’ll go through some of the next steps, making sure you understand the process and have a chance to ask any last-minute questions.

The surgeon will talk you through the consent form, explaining the risks of varicose vein treatment, what happens during the procedure, and what to expect afterward. This can happen in a quiet consultation room or sometimes in the treatment area itself.

What Should You Wear?

We usually provide disposable gowns, but you’re welcome to bring a pair of shorts—anything that allows easy access to your legs. For some people, venous insufficiency starts higher up in the leg, even near the groin, so it’s important that we can reach the area easily.

Step-by-Step: Your Varicose Vein Treatment

1. Pre-Treatment Safety Checks

Before we begin, our nurses will carry out essential safety checks, including:
✔ Confirming your identity and treatment details
✔ Double-checking that we’re treating the correct leg
✔ Asking about allergies and medications
✔ Checking if you have a history of migraines, as this can sometimes affect how you feel after treatment

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2. Prepping the Treatment Area

We apply local anaesthetic to numb the area—this makes the procedure as comfortable as possible. From there, your treatment will follow one of two main approaches:

• Radiofrequency Ablation – A heat catheter is inserted into the varicose vein, where heat is applied causing the vein to shrink and seal it shut.
• Foam Sclerotherapy – A special foam solution is injected into the vein, causing it to become irritated and collapse.

The foam acts like a detergent—imagine something similar to washing-up liquid. It irritates the lining of the vein, making it inflamed and eventually sealing it off. The heat treatment does something similar, just using heat instead.

In both cases, your blood flow is naturally redirected to healthier veins, improving circulation and reducing varicose vein symptoms.

After Treatment: Compression & Recovery

Once your treatment is complete, we clean the area and apply bandages. If you’ve had treatment on larger veins, we also fit a compression stocking to help reduce inflammation and discomfort.

How Long Do You Need to Wear Compression Stockings?

First 48 hours – Keep the stocking and bandages on continuously (unless they feel too tight or uncomfortable).

After 48 hours – Wear the stocking during the daytime for at least one week. Some people find them really helpful and wear them for several weeks, while others take them off sooner. It’s about what works for you.

Aftercare: We're Here for You

We know that recovery is a process, not an instant fix. Varicose vein surgery doesn’t come with a magic wand where the veins disappear overnight—there’s a healing period, and it takes time for everything to settle.

That’s why we provide ongoing support, including:

• A detailed aftercare brochure with all the key information
• Follow-up emails to remind you about recovery steps
• Direct access to our aftercare team if you have any concerns

At UK Vein Clinic, we care about your experience and outcome. If you’re considering treatment for chronic venous insufficiency, we’re here to help from start to finish.

If you’d like to know more, or get started on your journey, get in touch today.

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