Comparing Recovery Times: Varithena™ vs. Traditional Vein Treatments

Tired of dealing with bulging and uncomfortable varicose veins? There are many varicose vein treatment options to improve your comfort and confidence. If you’re not sure which option is right for you, you’re in the right place!

Our team at Vascular & Interventional Specialists offers varicose vein treatment in Miami, Florida, and we have the expertise to help you find the best procedure for your needs. 

Varithena™ and traditional vein treatment with ambulatory phlebectomy are two common options that both effectively treat problematic veins, but they work differently and come with varied recovery experiences.

What is Varithena?

Varithena is a varicose vein treatment that uses a specialized microfoam to stop blood flow in the problematic vein. We inject the foam directly into the diseased vein under ultrasound guidance, and the foam displaces blood inside the vein, which makes the vein walls collapse.

Once the varicose vein collapses, your body naturally redirects blood flow to healthier veins. The treated varicose vein gradually disappears as your body absorbs it, and you notice improvement in your symptoms.

How varithena compares to traditional vein treatment

Traditional vein treatments often involve minimally invasive surgery instead of an injection. During ambulatory phlebectomy, we remove varicose veins through small incisions, which are about 2-3 millimeters long.

We do the procedure with local anesthesia in an outpatient setting, but it’s slightly more involved than Varithena. Because we remove vein tissue, bruising or soreness may be more likely following ambulatory phlebectomy.

Recovering from Varithena vs. traditional vein treatment

Varithena requires almost no recovery time, and you can resume normal activities almost immediately after the procedure. 

You might experience mild discomfort or slight bruising at the injection site, but these resolve quickly and most people return to work and regular activities the same day.

You don't need compression stockings. There are no activity limitations or special precautions needed following Varithena. You simply go about your normal life while the microfoam does its work.

Ambulatory phlebectomy recovery is also quick, but you typically have more bruising. You can resume light activities the next day, and you may wear compression garments for up to two weeks to reduce bruising and swelling.

One unique benefit of ambulatory phlebectomy is that it provides immediate visible results, because we remove the varicose veins during the procedure. Varithena's results develop more gradually as your body absorbs the collapsed vein over the following weeks and months.

In short, Varithena works best for small to medium varicose veins. Ambulatory phlebectomy may be a better option for larger varicose veins and those requiring more complete removal. 

Both treatments are minimally invasive with quick recovery, and the best choice for you depends on your specific vein characteristics and how soon you want visible results. 

To learn more about your varicose vein treatment options, book an appointment at Vascular & Interventional Specialists today.