How Much Does It Cost to Remove Varicose and Spider Veins?
Varicose veins and spider veins are common vascular conditions that affect millions of Americans. Their appearance and symptoms, such as swelling, often cause discomfort, so it is no surprise that many people look up various treatments to address this issue.
The cost of spider vein and varicose vein treatments can range from $300-$13,000 or more. The reason for the large gap is that your total expense is usually determined by how serious your condition is, the type of treatment used, and the number of sessions you’ll need, amongst other things.
At CACVI we provide expert care across a full range of treatments for varicose veins as well as spider veins. Our board certified specialists are committed to guiding you every step of the way from consultation to recovery to ensure the best outcomes for your health. If you’re ready to take the first step, book a free consultation to get started.
In this blog, we will cover everything you should know about the various treatment options available for varicose and spider veins. We’ll also guide you through some key factors that can affect your overall spider vein treatment costs.
How Much Does it Cost to Remove Varicose and Spider Veins?
The cost of treating varicose veins and spider veins is greatly influenced by the type of procedure you decide to go with and how many sessions are required. Usually, non-invasive methods like the use of compression socks tend to be less expensive than surgical treatment options such as vein stripping and litigation. While these non-invasive treatments can be ideal for dealing with less problematic spider veins, larger varicose veins tend to need more intense care, which could also contribute to your overall expense.
Non-Surgical Options
Non-surgical options are less invasive treatments for varicose and spider veins that are not only cheaper but also have a shorter recovery time.
Sclerotherapy: This treatment entails your vein doctor injecting a solution into your varicose veins that causes them to collapse and shrink. This method is best suited for dealing with small varicose veins and spider veins. You don’t need to stay at the hospital after the procedure, and usually you can get back to your daily activities right away. The cost of sclerotherapy averages around $500 per session, but it could be more or less depending on factors like the severity of your condition.
Compression Therapy: This involves using special compression stockings that apply pressure on your legs to improve blood circulation. The pressure applied by these socks not only improves circulation but also reduces pain and swelling. Some doctors may ask you to combine this treatment with leg elevation as well. A simple act of propping your legs above your heart to help drain blood from your legs and reduce the pressure on your veins.
Laser Treatment: During this procedure, your doctor uses the heat generated from a laser’s light to destroy the blood vessels present in your varicose veins, causing them to dissolve away. It’s the most preferred method for dealing with facial veins. And while smaller veins may disappear after a single session, larger veins tend to require multiple sessions over a month or two. You can expect to spend around $350-$500 per session.
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA): Radiofrequency ablation, also called RFA, uses heat generated by radiofrequency waves to close up your varicose and spider veins. It can be performed in your doctor’s office with the use of local anesthesia. The recovery period is short, and you should be able to get back to your daily activities within a few days. It typically costs $3,000 – $5,000.
VenaSeal: This procedure is similar to sclerotherapy, which uses a substance to close off your veins. VenaSeal is a medical grade glue that seals your varicose veins shut, allowing your blood to be rerouted to healthy veins. Unlike sclerotherpay that is best for smaller varicose veins, VenaSeal also works on large veins, and it is also minimally invasive.
Surgical Options
For more severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary. Unlike the treatment options discussed above, these require longer recovery times and involve higher costs. However, they can provide lasting results for advanced conditions.
Vein Stripping and Ligation: During this procedure, your doctor will make small cuts in the skin to tie off and remove problematic veins, particularly the large ones that cause uncomfortable symptoms. It can be performed under local anesthesia, and while you will need a few weeks to recover, it is highly effective in treating severe cases of varicose veins. Another potential drawback is that it may leave scarring. The usual pricepoint for this treatment is $1,500-$3,000.
Ambulatory Phlebectomy: This is a more preferred method for dealing with moderate to large veins because the recovery period is quicker than vein stripping and your chances of scarring are minimal. By making tiny punctures along the troublesome vein, the doctor removes it in small sections. Because of how small the cuts are, stitches are not needed, and like vein stripping, it is performed using local anesthesia. The cost of this treatment ranges from $2,000 to $4,000, depending on how many veins are removed.
The time it takes to see the results from your vein treatments depends on the method used. For example, nonsurgical methods typically show improvement within a few weeks, though multiple treatments are often needed. It may take a couple of months to see the full results as the veins fade overtime. For surgical options, results can be seen anywhere from 4 weeks to 4 months. In terms of cost, minimally invasive options are more affordable than their surgical counterpart.
Potential Extra Costs to Be Aware Of
When budgeting for your varicose vein treatment, the price of the procedure isn’t the only thing to account for. Certain other factors, like consultation fees, also have a role to play in how much you end up spending on your procedure. So it helps to be aware of these additional costs that could overhaul your budget; a few of them are:
- Consultation fees: Nearly every practice will charge a fee for assessing your condition and recommending treatment options.
- Follow-up appointments: After your procedure, it’s important to continue visiting your doctor so that they can monitor your recovery.
- Post-treatment care: In addition to the follow-up appointments, you may also be prescribed some medications or additional items like compression stockings to prevent complications, further adding to your expenses.
- Unexpected complications: Though not likely, there’s always a risk of complications with every treatment. If it happens, it could lead to significant extra costs.
Factors That Influence the Cost of Vein Removal
The first factor determining the cost of varicose and spider vein removal is the severity of your condition. Minor cases are usually handled with minimally invasive procedures rather than surgical ones, which are reserved for more advanced cases.
During your initial consultation, your doctor likely recommended a surgical or nonsurgical treatment option, which brings us to our next key factor—the type of treatment you choose. Surgical treatments tends to be more expensive than nonsurgical ones, reflecting the complexity of the procedures involved.
Another factor that could affect the cost of your treatment is your geographic location. Medical care in some parts of the world is more expensive than in others. This is especially common with people living in urban areas.
Your surgeon/doctor’s expertise will also play a role in determining your final vein treatment cost. Experienced medical professionals are likely to charge more for their services based on their proven track record of success and the quality of care they provide.
And, of course, whether or not you have insurance will play a significant role in estimating your final bill. Treatments that are deemed a medical necessity are usually covered by insurance, while treatments that are considered cosmetic will be left for you to pay out of pocket.
Will Insurance Cover Varicose or Spider Vein Treatments?
As we mentioned earlier, most insurance companies will only cover medically necessary procedures and not treatments targeted at cosmetic concerns. To help you understand the difference between both, cosmetic procedures are performed solely for aesthetic purposes. If you don’t go through with them, your life isn’t going to be in any danger. On the other hand, if you don’t receive medically necessary treatment, it would significantly reduce the quality of your life. Plus, the complications that arise could be fatal. Some commonly pre-approved procedures are sclerotherapy, vein stripping and litigation.
To confirm whether your insurance company will cover your treatment, start by going through your health insurance policy or asking your health provider directly. Try to find out what procedures are covered and whether you will need some form of documentation or referral to qualify.
How Many Sessions Will I Need?
On average, you’d need between 1 and 4 sessions to get optimal results. Realistically speaking, it all depends on the severity of your condition and the treatment method chosen. Each session is usually spaced to allow your body to heal and for the veins to respond to treatment.
While many patients experience improvement after treatment, it’s important to mention that these problematic veins can reoccur. Surgical treatments usually provide the best results, but you have to make an effort to manage your vein health so that your varicose or spider veins do not develop again over time. This is because factors such as your lifestyle, genetics, and underlying medical conditions could cause these veins to return.
What Happens if You Don’t Treat Varicose Veins?
If you don’t treat your varicose veins you may live in a lot of pain and discomfort because of the swelling and aching in your legs. Overtime, these symptoms will develop into more serious dieases such as chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). As a result of CVI you may experience more persistent swelling in your legs, and even venous ulcers.
You may also notice some skin changes around your legs, like rashes and eczema. These tend to be very itchy, and your nonstop scratching could lead to open sores that are very slow to heal. A dangerous complication associated with varicose veins is deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is the formation of blood clots in your deeper veins. These blood clots can travel to your lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism, which is life-threatening.
All this goes to say it’s not advisable for you to leave your varicose veins untreated. Even though many professionals have overlooked them as a cosmetic issue, the consequences of ignoring them are beyond just looks. The best time to worry about your varicose or spider veins is if you feel consistent discomfort from them, as this usually points to an underlying issue. Also, if you notice any changes in your skin’s appearance or texture or the appearance of open sores, it is essential for you to seek medical advice.
What to Expect After Treatment for Varicose and Spider Veins
After your treatment, your body will go through some changes during the recovery period. Knowing how to properly care for your body during this period can significantly boost your recovery. Here are some key aspects to consider:
Immediate Aftercare
Immediately after your procedure, your doctor will give you specific instructions to help you recover. Oftentimes, this might involve wearing compression stockings for 1-2 weeks or as advised by your doctor. These socks help improve circulation in your legs and reduce swelling. It’s also important to rest and stay off your legs while you’re recovering. Your doctor may advise you to raise your legs for several hours a day during the initial recovery phase. Similar to compression stockings, this exercise also promotes blood flow through the body and reduces the pressure on your veins. In addition to this, you could try using ice packs on the affected area to calm down the swelling.
Pain and Discomfort
During the early phase of your recovery, you may experience some pain and general discomfort. However, there is no need to worry as these can be managed with over-the-counter painkillers prescribed by your physician. You may also feel a numbness or a tingling sensation in the treated area, but this disappears as your healing progresses.
Activity Restrictions
To promote recovery, you’ll have to avoid certain activities such as heavy lifting, high impact aerobics, squash, and long periods of sitting or standing. You should avoid crossing your legs at your knees. However, you’re allowed to take several short walks throughout the day to help get blood pumping through your legs and all over your body.
Follow-Up Appointments
These appointments are important because they enable your vein specialists, like your doctor, to monitor how well you’re recovering. It also gives them a chance to spot possible complications in time and prevent them rom becoming something more serious.
Skin Changes
Some patients may notice skin changes, such as hyperpigmentation or scarring, where their varicose veins or spider veins were removed. This is nothing to worry about, but we advise you to check in with your doctor just to be sure.
Want to Remove Your Varicose or Spider Veins?
Remember that your varicose vein and spider vein treatment cost boils down to factors like the severity of your condition, the type of treatment you choose, the number of sessions needed, and your insurance coverage. Non-surgical methods are on the less expensive side, but in some severe cases, you’ll have to go for a surgical option. Aside from the procedure cost, other things that could build up your final expense are your follow-up visits and post-treatment care necessary for your recovery.
To get the most accurate price estimate for your treatment, we advise you to consult a medical professional. CACVI has dedicated the last 30 years to providing effective and affordable solutions for vein health. To take the first step, just reach out or stop by our Center for Advanced Cardiac and Vascular Interventions in LA to get started.
✓ Medically reviewed by
Dr. Vasim Lala
D.O., FACC, FSCAI, RPVI · Coronary, vascular and structural intervention
Trained at Mount Sinai in New York in advanced coronary, vascular and structural intervention. Focuses on minimally invasive heart and vascular procedures and on preventive cardiology, and writes for the American College of Cardiology.
View physician profile →
