Won’t I need these veins?

Dr. Stephen Sorenson

Have you ever talked to a friend or searched online to find treatments for your varicose or spider veins? Were you left with more questions than answers? Do you want to get treatment but the concept of removing veins concerns you? Don’t worry you are not alone.

One of the most frequent question topics we receive from patients here at Vein Specialists of Illinois is whether or not the veins being treated are safe to remove. Patients worry that the removal of their varicose or spider veins will be detrimental to their health or that they will cause issues later in life. Thankfully this is not the case.

Won’t I need these veins?

No, if you have varicose or spider veins they are no longer functioning properly and have poor circulation at best. Inefficient veins act like a reservoir, holding blood rather than promoting normal circulation. Since these veins are not able to properly perform their duty of blood circulation they are not needed. In fact, they actually pose a hazard.

Veins are vital for circulation. How can removing veins help circulation?

Removing veins that do not function properly such as varicose or spider veins can improve your circulatory system. When damaged veins allow blood flow in the wrong direction nearby veins have an increase in workload to keep blood moving efficiently back to the heart. Once damaged veins are removed the surrounding normal functioning veins have a decreased workload.

Will I need these veins for bypass surgery in the future?

No, your varicose saphenous vein cannot be used for for bypass. Since varicose veins become thin and dilated they are no longer ideal for use in a bypass surgery.

Are there any other benefits to having the veins removed?

Yes, there are many other benefits to having your varicose or spider veins removed. By eliminating improper functioning veins the pressure on your venous system decreases back to a more normal level. Treatment also relieves the symptoms related to varicose and spider veins such as:

• Itchy legs
• Rashes, discoloration, and scarring
• Swollen ankles
• Tired or heavy legs
• Throbbing or cramping in legs

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