Hi, Dr. Adam Goldman with the Metropolitan Vein and Aesthetic Center. I wanted to talk to you today about Varithena vein treatments, how to prepare, what to expect, and the aftercare. Let’s get started.
If you’ve been diagnosed with venous insufficiency, you may have been recommended to have a Varithena treatment. It is often used to treat the superficial veins and the communications between superficial veins and underlying veins that may be causing the problem. It is important to do this for symptoms and to prevent recurrence of the disease.
Varithena Procedure Preparation
The preparation is fairly simple: just normal bathing. You should take all previously prescribed medications, including blood thinners. The risk of bleeding during the Varithena procedure is minimal. If you have been recommended to take blood thinners, it’s very important to continue that medication.
Initial Assessment
Once you’ve arrived at the clinic and are brought into the room, the next step is to stand for several minutes. Gravity fills these veins with blood so we can see exactly what needs to be treated. These veins are then marked. After that, you are placed on the table, and we check with ultrasound to map the veins, see the communications and branches, and determine exactly what needs varithena treatment.
Vein Access
The next step is to access the veins. First, the skin is numbed with a very small 30-gauge needle. You may feel a pinch, often described as a mosquito bite. After you are numb, more anesthesia is administered through a larger needle, which is then used to access the vein.
Sometimes you feel a little pinch as we get close to the vein due to limited space under the skin or compression, but once inside the vein, there are no symptoms. This process may be repeated several times to access branch points or other vein chains.
Vein Drainage
Once access is achieved, the next step is to drain the veins to make them as small as possible. This is done by placing you in a reverse Trendelenburg position (legs up, head down). Varithena treatment beds are designed for this, and wedges or pillows may be used for additional elevation. You will be in this position for 1 to 15 minutes, with care taken to ensure comfort.
Varithena Injection
Varithena is then injected through the prior access points. You may feel a little burning, but generally it is not very uncomfortable. The procedure is monitored with ultrasound to ensure veins are closed and all treated areas are complete.
Post-Procedure Compression
All access points are removed, and a compression stocking is applied to press on the veins that have been closed. Sometimes a second layer of compression with an ACE bandage and tubular foam or pressure bandage is applied.
Compression should be worn that day and overnight. If there are two layers of compression, they remain on through the next day and night. For bathing, cover with a plastic bag, use a sponge bath, or baby wipes. The following morning, remove to shower normally. For a single layer of compression, it can be removed the next morning, shower briefly, and then reapplied for an additional day and night.
Compression stockings should be worn for several more days (1–5 days), during the day only. Avoid sweaty exercise and immersion in water (bathtub or swimming) for the first three days. After three days, there are no restrictions.
Managing Discomfort
You may have mild pain or bruising. Tylenol, Advil, Motrin, aspirin, or a combination can be used for relief. You may feel some hardness on the skin where veins were closed; this will gradually dissipate.
If pain increases after a few days, a week, or even three weeks, it may be due to trapped coagulated blood. This can cause prolonged inflammation, discomfort, or discoloration. Follow up with the clinic if this occurs; drainage may be performed under local anesthesia for relief.
Healing Process
It may take a few weeks for symptoms to resolve. Nodularity in the skin represents the closed veins and will eventually be reabsorbed by the body.
Book an Appointment with Metropolitan Vein and Aesthetic Center
If you’re experiencing symptoms of venous insufficiency such as cramping, pain, or swelling, please make an appointment with the Metropolitan Vein and Aesthetic Center. We have been treating venous insufficiency for 15 years, including new and recurrent cases, and would love the opportunity to help you feel and look better.
EN 
ES