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By Mayo Clinic staffBefore the procedure, your doctor performs a physical exam and gathers your medical history.
Physical examination
Your doctor will:
- Evaluate your leg veins
- Check for any underlying blood vessel disease
Medical history
Your doctor will want to know your medical history, including asking about any:
- Recent illnesses or existing medical conditions, such as a heart condition
- Medications or supplements you take, especially aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), blood thinners or antibiotics
- Allergies
- Smoking or oral contraceptive use, as these can increase your risk of blood clots
- Previous treatment for varicose veins and the results of the treatment
If you take aspirin, NSAIDs or blood thinners, your doctor may instruct you on how to stop taking the medication for a certain amount of time before the procedure, to reduce the chances of bleeding. Your doctor may also advise you on your use of antibiotics and oral contraceptives.
The day before
For 24 hours before the procedure, avoid shaving or applying any lotion to your legs. Wear loose, comfortable clothing to your appointment. You might even consider wearing a pair of shorts so that your legs are exposed.
Insurance coverage
Find out ahead of time whether your insurance provider will cover the treatment. If it's considered a cosmetic procedure, your insurance may not cover it. Check with your doctor on the total costs of the procedure.
- Sclerotherapy of varicose veins and spider veins. Radiological Society of North America. www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=sclerotherapy. Accessed May 13, 2010.
- Varicose veins and spider veins. National Women's Health Information Center. http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/varicose-spider-veins.pdf. Accessed May 13, 2010.
- Vein treatments: What to expect before, during, and after. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.skincarephysicians.com/agingskinnet/vein_treatments_expect.html. Accessed May 13, 2010.
- Parsons ME. Sclerotherapy basics. Dermatologic Clinics. 2004;22:501.
- Greenberg DL, et al. Liquid and foam sclerotherapy techniques for lower extremity vein ablation. http://www.uptodate.com. Accessed May 14, 2010.
- Jia X, et al. Systematic review of foam sclerotherapy for varicose veins. British Journal of Surgery. 2007;94:925.
- Tisi PV, et al. Injection sclerotherapy for varicose veins (review). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2006:CD001732. http://www.mrw.interscience.wiley.com/cochrane/clsysrev/articles/CD001732/frame.html. Accessed May 14, 2010.
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