Fast track your treatment
To book an appointment or speak with one of our friendly team, please get in touch using the options below
Varicose veins appear when the valves in your veins weaken, causing blood to collect in your veins, which then become swollen and enlarged. It's not fully known why this happens, but risk factors include sex (women are more likely to be affected by varicose veins), genetics, age (as you get older your veins start to lose their elasticity), being overweight, and standing for long periods of time.
The most common place for varicose veins to appear is on your legs. Some people will not experience any pain or discomfort with varicose veins in the leg, while others will find their varicose veins affect them more severely.
Treatment for varicose veins ranges from the conservative - for example you might wear compression stockings - to the surgical. If you are looking to minimise or remove your varicose veins, whether because you have complications or simply are uncomfortable with the way they look and feel, laser treatments can be a very successful option.
At Circle Health Group, we offer a wide variety of private varicose vein treatments. Our consultant vascular surgeons can help you to explore your options and decide if laser treatment is the right choice for you.
To speak to one of our specialists, call or book online today and you could have your initial consultation within as little as 48 hours.
Removing varicose veins by laser involves heating the vein in order to seal it. For small veins on the surface it may be possible to do this externally, however for large varicose veins your consultant will need to heat the vein or veins from the inside. The heat causes scar tissue which closes the vein, cutting off the blood flow and eventually causing the vein to disappear.
Laser treatment can be highly effective for many people, however it is not appropriate for every patient or performed at every Circle hospital. Your specialist will discuss whether this procedure is suitable for you and, if not, they'll talk you through all the alternatives.
Varicose vein (multiple) removal (laser) (one leg)
Please be aware that the following prices are a guide price. Your final price will be confirmed in writing following your consultation and any necessary diagnostic tests.
| Patient pathway | Initial consultation | Diagnostic Investigations | Main treatment | Post discharge care | Guide price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hospital fees | N/A | Not included | £3,950 | Included | £3,950 |
| Consultants fees from | £200 | N/A | Included | Included | £200 |
| Guide price | £4,150 | ||||
Please be aware that the following prices are a guide price. Your final price will be confirmed in writing following your consultation and any necessary diagnostic tests.
| Patient pathway | Initial consultation | Diagnostic Investigations | Main treatment | Post discharge care | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hospital fees | N/A | Included | £3,325 | Included | £3,325 |
| Consultants fees | £200 | N/A | Included | Included | £200 |
| Total | £3,525 | ||||
If you choose to have your varicose veins removed by laser treatment, the main benefits compared to traditional surgery include:
- You will spend less time in hospital
- You will have less bruising after the operation
- You can return to normal activities more quickly
This procedure is usually done under local anaesthetic, and sometimes a mild sedation too.
Before they start the procedure, your consultant will use a portable ultrasound machine to scan you in order to identify and mark the position of the targeted vein where it meets your groin. They will then identify the best place in the vein to make an incision (a small cut), which might be in the knee or lower, depending on where the varicose veins are. They'll then make a small incision at the lower end and a catheter will be passed up inside the vein.
Once the catheter is in the right place, a laser probe is then passed up the catheter to your groin. Local anaesthetic is injected around the vein to numb the area, ease any discomfort and provide a liquid barrier to protect the leg.
As the laser probe is removed, short bursts of energy are used to seal the vein. After the probe and catheter have been removed, the incision is stitched, and the leg is bandaged to reduce swelling and bruising.
Varicose vein laser treatment procedure usually takes between 45 and 60 minutes for one leg.
After the varicose vein laser treatment procedure, you may feel a tightness in your legs and the affected areas may be bruised and painful, but this is normal and should be temporary.
If you have only had one leg treated, you should not need to stay very long in hospital and may be able to go home a few hours after receiving treatment. Remember, you will not be able to drive home after the procedure.
You should be able to get back to normal after a couple of days following varicose vein laser treatment, though you should continue to wear the bandage for five to ten days.
As with any laser treatment, there is a small chance of complications after this procedure. Side effects can include:
- Burns to your skin
- Changes in skin colour
- Nerve damage (this is usually temporary)
- Blood clotting
Varicose veins may come back years later, but most patients stay varicose vein free following treatment. It is possible to re-treat varicose veins if they return.
At Circle Health Group we have the experience and expertise to ensure the best possible care and outcome for our patients. As a patient with Circle Health Group you can expect the highest standards of care including:
- Flexible appointment times and locations that are convenient for you
- The freedom to choose which hospital and consultant best suit your needs
- Personalised, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
- Comfortable and safe private facilities maintained by expert multidisciplinary teams
- Private ensuite rooms as standard
- A range of delicious healthy meals
- Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included
- Flexible payment options to help you spread the cost of your care
If you would like to see a consultant or learn more about treating varicose veins, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly.
Content reviewed by Circle in-house team in February 2023. Next review due February 2026.
- Varicose veins treatment, NHS
- Endovenous laser varicose vein surgery, Johns Hopkins
- Varicose veins – endovenous laser therapy, Circulation Foundation
