Vascular & Endovascular
Venous Insufficiency & Varicose Veins
Chronic venous insufficiency causes leg swelling, aching, and varicose veins when valves fail. Minimally invasive ablation closes damaged veins through a needle puncture, letting healthier veins take over , typically under an hour, no hospital stay.
AVERAGE PROCEDURE TIME
30 to 60 minutes
Anesthesia
Local with light sedation
Recovery
Immediate, walk out
Ride home
Required if you receive sedation
Overview
When one-way valves in the leg veins fail, blood pools and causes aching, heaviness, swelling, varicose veins, skin discoloration, and eventually ulcers.
Ablation closes the failing vein through a needle puncture using heat, adhesive, or medication. Healthy deep veins immediately take over.
Is this right for me?
Candidacy is confirmed after a review of your history, imaging, and medications. Patients we most often treat include those with:
- Aching, heaviness, or throbbing legs that worsen through the day
- Visible varicose veins with symptoms
- Ankle swelling or skin discoloration
- Venous ulcers or a history of them
What to expect, step by step
Arrival and preparation
You check in with a coordinator, change into a gown, and meet your nurse. Vitals are taken, an IV is started if needed, and your care team reviews the plan and answers questions with your caregiver present.
Ultrasound mapping
Duplex ultrasound identifies which veins are refluxing and confirms the deep system is healthy.
Closure
A thin catheter or needle is placed under ultrasound guidance and the vein is sealed along its length.
Recovery suite
You rest in a private recovery bay while your nurse monitors vitals and comfort. Written instructions are reviewed with you and your caregiver before discharge.
Home the same day
A caregiver drives you home. A member of our team calls the next business day to check on you and confirm your follow-up appointment.
Recovery
Walk for thirty minutes right after and daily thereafter. Compression stockings are worn for one to two weeks.
Bruising and tightness along the treated vein are normal and fade over a few weeks.
Risks and what we watch for
Every procedure carries risk. These are the ones we discuss most often for this procedure.
- Bleeding, bruising, or soreness at the access site or incision
- Infection, which is why sterile technique and, when indicated, antibiotics are used
- Reaction to sedation, anesthesia, or contrast dye, monitored continuously by your anesthesia provider
- Incomplete relief of symptoms, or symptoms that return over time
- The need for additional treatment, imaging, or a different procedure
- Rarely, a complication serious enough to require a higher level of care than an outpatient setting provides
We review these with you in detail before you consent, and you can change your mind at any point.
Coverage note
We verify your benefits and give you a written estimate before scheduling.
Prepare for this procedure
- Before your surgery
- The day of your procedure
- Anesthesia and sedation
- Recovery at home and when to call
Frequently asked questions
Is removing a vein safe?
Yes. Only diseased superficial veins are closed and blood reroutes through healthy veins immediately.
Is this cosmetic?
Treatment of symptomatic venous reflux is medical and typically covered after a trial of conservative therapy.
Is venous ablation done as an outpatient procedure?
Yes. It is performed at our ACHC-accredited ambulatory surgery center in The Woodlands, minutes from Tomball and Spring, and patients go home the same day with a caregiver.
Will my insurance cover it?
Coverage depends on your specific plan and benefits. Our team verifies your benefits and gives you a written estimate before anything is scheduled.
Do you offer Spanish-speaking support?
Yes. Bilingual English and Spanish coordination is available from your first call through recovery instructions and follow-up.
