What to Expect During a Varicose Vein Procedure in Oregon

What to Expect During a Vein Procedure

If you’re considering treatment for varicose veins in Oregon and Southwest Washington, understanding what to expect during the procedure can help alleviate any concerns and prepare you for a smooth experience. This is why we seek to make sure patients understand what to expect during a vein procedure.  Most vein procedures are performed in a comfortable office setting, offering a more relaxed environment compared to traditional surgical options.

Types of Vein Procedures

Several effective treatments are available for varicose veins, including:

Endovenous Ablation: This minimally invasive procedure uses techniques such as Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA), Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT), Varithena, Venaseal, or Mechanochemical Ablation (MOCA) to seal off problematic truncal veins that cause superficial venous insufficiency. These methods involve inserting a thin catheter into the affected vein and applying heat or a chemical agent to close it.

Branch Treatments: For smaller veins, options like ambulatory phlebectomy and sclerotherapy are available. Ambulatory phlebectomy involves removing small sections of varicose veins through tiny incisions, while sclerotherapy involves injecting a solution that causes the vein to collapse and fade over time.

Patient-Centered Approach

At our clinic, we prioritize a patient-centered approach. We understand that each patient has unique needs and preferences regarding their treatment plan. Procedures are often broken up into a few sessions to optimize comfort and convenience. During the planning phase, we encourage patients to share their input on how much they want to accomplish per session.

Comfort During the Procedure

Most procedures are performed under local anesthesia, eliminating the need for IV sedation. This means that patients will receive pinpricks to administer local anesthesia directly into the skin. Once the local anesthesia takes effect, most patients report minimal discomfort during the procedure. For those who prefer fewer pinpricks, non-tumescent, non-thermal ablation technologies like Venaseal or Varithena are available. These methods require fewer injections and can be more appealing for some patients.

Managing Anxiety

Anxiety can be an issue for some patients when undergoing vein procedures. To help ease this concern, we offer options such as Valium in pill form. Patients can pick up this prescription at their pharmacy and take it about an hour before their procedure. Alternatively, we provide Pronox, a nitrous oxide-based sedation option that helps reduce anxiety during the procedure. Please note that there is a small additional charge for Pronox as it is not covered by most health plans.

Hospital vs. Office Setting

Less than 10% of vein procedures are performed in hospitals anymore where IV sedation or general anesthesia may be available, this option can significantly increase costs and associated risks. Generally these are done with the older techniques such as vein stripping.  Therefore, most our patients choose to have their procedures done in our office setting under local anesthesia.  This has been shown to generally be both safe and effective and well tolerated by most patients.

Efficient Preparation and Procedure Time

Preparing for your procedure involves hours of coordination at our office level, especially when interacting with insurance carriers. However, on the day of your procedure, we aim to get you in and out in less than an hour. Comfort during the procedure is generally well tolerated; however, if anxiety is high, we take extra steps to ensure an optimal experience. Most patients can drive themselves home after the procedure unless they have taken medication like Valium, in which case they will need a driver. Post-procedure care typically includes taking over-the-counter NSAIDs like Aleve or Ibuprofen for a few days for any discomfort.  After the treatment the veins can become inflamed as they heal which is why the strategy is generally anti-inflammatory with NSAIDs as pills or sometimes topical like Voltarin.

Conclusion

The majority of our patients report that their procedures were very well tolerated, with over 90% expressing satisfaction with their experience. We strive to tailor each treatment plan to meet your specific needs through patient-centered conversations during planning. If you’re ready to take the next step toward healthier legs free from varicose veins, consider scheduling an appointment with us today!

Ready to Start your Vein Treatment Journey?

Request an appointment today to meet with leading vein experts at any of our clinics in:
NW Portland, Tigard, Happy Valley, Tanasbourne, Vancouver or Bend.

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