How Long Does a Vein Stripping Procedure Take? And Other FAQs

Vein stripping is a surgical procedure for chronic venous insufficiency, the root cause of spider veins, varicose veins, and most other vein problems. The procedure involves removing or trying off the large saphenous vein in the leg, which is responsible for your vein problems. Once the diseased or damaged parts of the diseased vein are removed, the accumulated blood reroutes into healthier leg veins, restoring optimal blood circulation to the heart.

Vein stripping is a complex surgical procedure that involves hospitalization and downtime. The procedure takes 60 to 90 minutes, and it may be performed under local anesthesia or general anesthesia. If the procedure is performed under general anesthesia, you will be asleep throughout the procedure and wake up in a recovery room, where you will spend a few hours for observation to ensure there aren’t any adverse reactions.

Our medical centers for vein treatment in New York usually advise against vein stripping procedures. Vein stripping is a complex surgical procedure with a relatively low success rate and a relatively high risk of complications and vein disease recurrence. It might have been the gold standard treatment for vein disease in the past, but thanks to recent technological advancements, vein stripping is considered to be obsolete.

Our vein doctors only provide highly personalized, minimally invasive vein treatments, such as radiofrequency ablation, laser ablation, and venaseal. Compared to vein stripping, our minimally invasive procedures conclude within 30 to 60 minutes and involve no general anesthesia, downtime, or complications. You can even resume your daily activities and work after the vein treatment. Please schedule an appointment to explore your vein treatments in New York.

Walking is generally recommended after varicose vein surgery. After your varicose vein surgery, you will be asked to walk around frequently for at least 30 to 60 minutes every day. Walking is an essential part of the healing process because it prevents clots from forming within the legs, improves blood circulation to the heart, and minimizes the risk of complications. You should also avoid sitting or standing still for long periods after your varicose vein surgery.

Most patients can resume their work and daily activities 2 weeks after varicose vein surgery. But if your work involves extended periods of sitting or standing still, such as driving, nursing, or teaching, you should take around 4 weeks off work. However, if you opt for minimally invasive vein treatments, you don’t need to take any time off work — the treatment can be done during your work lunch break.

Vein doctors recommend minimally invasive vein treatments instead of vein surgery because they’re safer, more effective, and more convenient. Minimally invasive vein treatments are in-office procedures that conclude within an hour. The procedure usually involves a small incision on the skin’s surface or an injection, and it doesn’t have to be performed under general anesthesia.

The side effects are minimal, and the risk of complications is negligible. Minimally invasive vein treatments also have a success rate exceeding 97%, and the risk of vein disease recurrence is negligible. Furthermore, since minimally invasive procedures conclude within an hour with no downtime, they’re more convenient for everyone. In all possible respects, minimally invasive vein treatments are better than vein surgery.

Minimally invasive vein treatments are even more effective than varicose vein surgery. Minimally invasive procedures have a nearly perfect success rate, but varicose vein surgeries have a relatively high rate of failure. Furthermore, patients undergoing varicose vein surgery also have a higher risk of infections and deep vein thrombosis, which can lead to various complications and problems. That’s why you must look for medical centers for vein treatment that specialize in minimally invasive vein treatments — not vein stripping or vein surgery.