I am 44 years old (45 in July) and I had vein stripping in my late 20's... Back then they were actual surgeries (with general anesthesia)... off from work for 2 weeks at a time for each leg and there was no schlerotherapy so after all of that pain and suffering (not to mention the thousands of dollars... and scarring) as a young woman, I still could not comfortably wear shorts and skirts in public... : (
Fast forward 15 years.... an ultrasound (done in the office) showed where my 'problem' areas were...and a veinogram (done as an outpatient procedure at a hospital) showed that I was good to go ahead with treatment, I had 3 'surgeries' (a week apart) back in March, to remove the hideous rope-y veins all over the fronts and backs of both legs (one was worse, but both were... not pretty!! lol) While there was a deal of pain during the 'surgeries' (at my consultation, they offered a script of Xanax to be taken for the 'surgeries' that would help, if I needed it for anxiety... but I chose not to...(if you take it, you have to have a driver and I needed to go to work) afterward I was able to work a full day as if nothing had happened... Fast forward another 6 weeks... I had my first actual schlerotherapy... (my Dr offers free schlerotherapy after the actual 'surgeries' because, of course it's strictly cosmetic and insurance won't cover it)... while the rope-y veins were all but gone... I definitely needed schlerotherapy... I had a partial sclerotherapy after my first 'surgery' since the Dr finished ahead of time and there was a little time before the next patient needed the operating room... but, not including that, this was my actual first session... Now... let me start off by saying... schlerotherapy IS a bit uncomfortable (think of a horsefly sting) and can be down-right painful on less 'fleshy' parts like ankles/knees and tops of feet, it only lasts a short time (your appt may be for an hour, but that hour includes all their prep time,finishing, etc... so the actual 'pain' is very short). Different offices have different staff, of course... and mine were checking on me constantly, and I, as the patient, could choose to stop whenever I felt like it. That was comforting to me, I was in control.
I was very blessed to find a Dr that would let me make payments on my portion... I know some make you pay upfront... and like I said, mine wasn't all cosmetic... the surgeries were medically necessary... and I have no idea about schlerotherapy pricing without surgery. (I was told self pay for the same procedures (including the 3 surgeries) would be $11,000)
Afterward, you wear your stockings as directed... although I did take a peek (you know you would, too! lol) and I was excited by the changes I saw just overnight! It was amazing! I am SOOOO looking forward to Summer this year... I'm sure I have at least one more session, maybe more, but even if (just after 3 days) this is as good as it's ever gonna get, it would be sooo worth it... and I know it's just gonna continue to improve over the next few weeks!! Can't wait!! : ) (I'll request photos from my Dr... I'll post them as soon as I get them)
Fast forward 15 years.... an ultrasound (done in the office) showed where my 'problem' areas were...and a veinogram (done as an outpatient procedure at a hospital) showed that I was good to go ahead with treatment, I had 3 'surgeries' (a week apart) back in March, to remove the hideous rope-y veins all over the fronts and backs of both legs (one was worse, but both were... not pretty!! lol) While there was a deal of pain during the 'surgeries' (at my consultation, they offered a script of Xanax to be taken for the 'surgeries' that would help, if I needed it for anxiety... but I chose not to...(if you take it, you have to have a driver and I needed to go to work) afterward I was able to work a full day as if nothing had happened... Fast forward another 6 weeks... I had my first actual schlerotherapy... (my Dr offers free schlerotherapy after the actual 'surgeries' because, of course it's strictly cosmetic and insurance won't cover it)... while the rope-y veins were all but gone... I definitely needed schlerotherapy... I had a partial sclerotherapy after my first 'surgery' since the Dr finished ahead of time and there was a little time before the next patient needed the operating room... but, not including that, this was my actual first session... Now... let me start off by saying... schlerotherapy IS a bit uncomfortable (think of a horsefly sting) and can be down-right painful on less 'fleshy' parts like ankles/knees and tops of feet, it only lasts a short time (your appt may be for an hour, but that hour includes all their prep time,finishing, etc... so the actual 'pain' is very short). Different offices have different staff, of course... and mine were checking on me constantly, and I, as the patient, could choose to stop whenever I felt like it. That was comforting to me, I was in control.
I was very blessed to find a Dr that would let me make payments on my portion... I know some make you pay upfront... and like I said, mine wasn't all cosmetic... the surgeries were medically necessary... and I have no idea about schlerotherapy pricing without surgery. (I was told self pay for the same procedures (including the 3 surgeries) would be $11,000)
Afterward, you wear your stockings as directed... although I did take a peek (you know you would, too! lol) and I was excited by the changes I saw just overnight! It was amazing! I am SOOOO looking forward to Summer this year... I'm sure I have at least one more session, maybe more, but even if (just after 3 days) this is as good as it's ever gonna get, it would be sooo worth it... and I know it's just gonna continue to improve over the next few weeks!! Can't wait!! : ) (I'll request photos from my Dr... I'll post them as soon as I get them)
