How Much Does Invasive Vein Stripping Surgery Cost?
How much does it cost to get your veins stripped? The answer depends on a few variables. Where you live, the number of veins you’re treating, your insurance plan, and the doctor you choose are all factors in the price. On average, invasive vein stripping surgeries, like phlebectomy, cost $1,500 to $3,500 per leg. If you want to avoid that fee, book an appointment with Harvard-trained vein doctors in New York who help you achieve insurance coverage, and who offer affordable alternatives to vein stripping.
Does the Cost Include General Anesthesia and Other Expenses?
Vein stripping surgery is costly on its own. But there are additional expenses to consider as well. How much time will you miss from work? Will you need general anesthesia? Will you be hospitalized afterward? Do you need help like childcare, food delivery, or housekeeping while you recover? If you’ve had a medical procedure before, you know that the cost of surgery is just the beginning of the overall cost.
You can avoid these extra expenses by choosing a minimally invasive vein doctor in New York. Most patients don’t require surgery for varicose veins anymore, so skip the extra bills and choose an outpatient procedure. Our vein specialists complete varicose vein treatment in-office in under 30 minutes, and you can head right back to work!
Is Ambulatory Phlebectomy as Costly as Regular Phlebectomy?
Ambulatory phlebectomy is a newer way to perform vein stripping surgery that allows the patient to remain awake. The vein doctor uses small punctures, rather than large incisions, and no general anesthesia. For some patients, this is more affordable than traditional phlebectomy, since there are no hospital bills or anesthesiologist bills, and it requires less time off work. But since it’s a newer varicose veins treatment, some insurance companies don’t cover it yet, so the price varies by patient.
Are Minimally Invasive Vein Treatments More Affordable?
Over the last 30 years, minimally invasive vein treatments have largely replaced vein stripping surgery. Research shows that surgically removing a varicose vein increases the chance of it regrowing, and revascularized veins don’t have any valves. Valves are necessary to keep blood flowing in a singular direction. Without them, blood flows in reverse, building pressure that generates varicose veins.
So, ironically, surgically stripping a varicose vein can cause a recurrence of varicose veins. The better and more affordable alternative is a minimally invasive procedure. These vein treatments close veins while they are in the body, rather than cutting them out. The vein shrinks and disappears, and blood is rerouted into viable veins. This is done with tiny needles or catheters inserted through the skin and positioned directly on the vein. There is no general anesthesia, hospitalization, or downtime involved, which makes them far more affordable
In addition, insurance companies cover the majority of minimally invasive varicose vein treatments. However, some insurance carriers require proof of your vein damage or symptoms, so choose a vein doctor with ultrasound training who can demonstrate the medical necessity of your treatment. Cosmetic vein centers can’t look at deep veins and find the source of the issue. So, their treatments are rarely covered by insurance and aren’t best for varicose veins.
Is Laser Treatment a Cheaper Way to Treat Varicose Veins?
There are two primary laser treatment methods for vein damage. Surface lasers are applied to the skin and are often used for small, facial spider veins. However, they can cause skin irritation, and they don’t work on large, deep veins. For varicose veins, the better option is endovenous laser treatment, in which a vein doctor injects tumescent anesthesia around the vein and then applies laser energy directly to the walls of the vein. This treats the varicose vein and the issue in a deep vein that caused it, which is typically valve failure.
If you have varicose veins, surface laser treatments at dermatologists and cosmetic clinics won’t erase your varicose veins, nor will they treat the underlying issue. See a vein specialist with endovenous technology to treat varicose veins. Our vein doctors are trained in endovenous laser ablation, as well as radiofrequency ablation, which derives thermal energy from sound waves instead of lasers. This is highly effective and more comfortable for many patients than laser treatment.
Do I Need Varicose Veins Treatment or Compression Stockings?
Some patients wonder whether they need to treat varicose veins or whether they can wear compression stockings instead. Compression stockings can reduce symptoms like swelling, cramping, and heaviness in the legs, for some patients. But they don’t remove the varicose vein. They must be sized by a vein doctor, since too much or too little compression can be ineffective or even harmful.
Patients with certain health conditions are not candidates for compression stockings, so ask your doctor before you try them. For most patients, a minimally invasive vein treatment is a quicker, more effective, and more comprehensive solution than wearing compression stockings indefinitely.
Is Varicose Vein Removing Always Recommended?
If you have a varicose vein, removing it surgically is not the first choice. Most patients are better suited to a minimally invasive procedure, since these are gentler, quicker, less painful, and more affordable. They don’t require you to miss work or take time to recover. There is no general anesthesia or an overnight stay in the hospital with minimally invasive vein treatments.
Some patients don’t need to have their veins treated. They can try lifestyle adjustments like elevating their legs while at rest, wearing compression stockings, maintaining a healthy weight and active lifestyle, and avoiding sitting or standing for long periods. But since most professions require a lot of sitting or standing, and many people struggle with weight and exercise, these aren’t effective methods for everyone. Lifestyle adjustments are ongoing, but minimally invasive vein treatment takes less than 30 minutes. So, it’s the best solution for most patients.
What Is the Most Affordable Way to Treat Deep Vein Issues?
How much does it cost to get your veins stripped? The answer varies, but you might not need that procedure. The most affordable way to treat deep veins and varicose veins is the one that’s selected by a qualified vein doctor. Vein specialists know how to identify the cause of your varicose vein, which is key to long-term relief. If you don’t address the cause, your money will be wasted, because new varicose veins will appear.
A qualified vein doctor knows which treatment is best for your specific vein, and they might even combine treatment methods for perfect results. Varicose veins treatments performed by board certified vein doctors are more likely to be covered by insurance. With our award-winning vein specialists, most patients have no out-of-pocket expenses. Choose a board certified, minimally invasive vein doctor to receive the right treatment and the most insurance coverage.