Introduction
Surgical treatments for symptomatic veins are covered by Medicare. However, VenaSeal™ and sclerotherapy are not covered by provincial health insurance and are typically not reimbursed by private insurance plans. Your provider can help explain costs.
A consultation with duplex ultrasound helps identify the cause and severity of your vein condition. Your specialist will then recommend the best option, such as surgical options, sclerotherapy, or VenaSeal™.
No. While they can affect appearance, varicose veins may also cause heaviness, swelling, aching, cramps, and fatigue — signs of underlying venous insufficiency.
Varicose and spider veins develop when vein valves weaken or fail, causing blood to pool instead of flowing efficiently back to the heart. Genetics, pregnancy, standing for long hours, and aging can increase the risk.
No. Your consultation is covered by provincial health insurance (Medicare) when you have a referral from your doctor. This means there is no out-of-pocket cost for your initial assessment.
Before Treatment
No ultrasound is needed before your appointment. During your appointment, our doctors will perform an ultrasound to assess your veins and create a safe, effective treatment plan.
Avoid applying lotion or oil to your legs on the day of treatment. Wear loose, comfortable clothing and bring compression stockings if advised.
Yes, a referral is required. You can contact your primary care provider to request a referral.
During Treatment
Most patients describe only mild discomfort — a brief stinging or pressure sensation. Treatments like VenaSeal™ are virtually pain-free.
Most procedures take 30–60 minutes, depending on how many veins are treated.
General anesthesia is required for surgical procedures; however, VenaSeal™ uses a local numbing solution only, while sclerotherapy needs none at all.
After Treatment
You may notice mild bruising or tenderness. Walking right after treatment is encouraged, and normal activities can resume the same day or next day.
After sclerotherapy, yes — usually for 1–2 weeks. After VenaSeal™, compression is often not required unless advised by your provider.
Avoid strenuous exercise or heavy lifting for about a week, but walking is recommended daily.
Results vary:
- Sclerotherapy: veins fade gradually over 4–8 weeks.
- VenaSeal™: relief from heaviness and swelling often occurs within days to weeks.
Small veins may require 2–3 sclerotherapy sessions spaced a few weeks apart. Larger varicose veins often need just one VenaSeal™ treatment.
Safety & Results
Yes. All procedures are approved by Health Canada and performed by trained professionals under sterile, ultrasound-guided conditions.
Temporary redness, bruising, or mild tenderness are common. Serious complications (like clots or allergic reactions) are very rare.
Treated veins are permanently closed, but new veins can develop over time. Maintenance treatments can help keep your legs looking and feeling their best.
Other Questions
Pregnancy can cause new varicose veins due to hormonal and circulatory changes. Many women seek treatment after childbirth once veins have stabilized.
You can usually travel the same or next day, but avoid long flights (over 4 hours) for a week after treatments.
Varicose veins are surprisingly common — affecting roughly 3 in 10 adults. They are more frequent in women, older adults, and anyone with a family history of vein problems.
For most people, varicose veins are not life-threatening, but they can cause discomfort such as aching, swelling, heaviness, or skin changes. In rare cases, untreated vein disease may lead to blood clots or ulcers, making it important to have symptomatic veins evaluated by a doctor.
Varicose veins are larger, bulging, and twisted, often visible and sometimes uncomfortable. Spider veins, on the other hand, are smaller, fine, red or blue lines near the surface of the skin — primarily cosmetic but worth monitoring for underlying vein issues.
Diagnosis begins with a physical examination and a discussion of your symptoms. Most doctors also use a duplex ultrasound, a painless imaging test that evaluates blood flow and valve function. This helps pinpoint the problem and guides a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is a simple injection treatment used to close and fade unwanted veins — most often spider veins or small varicose veins. A small amount of solution is injected into the vein, causing it to seal off and disappear over time.
- Liquid sclerotherapy is ideal for small surface veins (like spider veins).
- Foam sclerotherapy uses the same medicine mixed with air to form a foam, which is more effective for larger or deeper veins.
Most patients feel only a slight sting or mild burning for a few seconds during the injections. The procedure is very well tolerated — no anesthesia or sedation is required.
A treatment session usually lasts 15 to 45 minutes, depending on the number of veins treated.
This depends on the size, number, and type of veins. Many patients see improvement after one to three sessions spaced several weeks apart.
- Walk immediately after your session.
- Wear compression stockings for two weeks.
- Avoid hot baths and saunas for at least 7 days.
- Avoid sun exposure for 4 weeks
- Avoid strenuous exercise for a few days.
Veins typically begin to fade within 3 to 6 weeks. Larger veins may take a few months to fully disappear.
The majority of treated veins are permanently closed and do not come back. However, new veins can develop over time — these can also be treated with additional sessions if needed.
Most are minor and temporary:
- Redness or bruising
- Itching or mild swelling
- Small brown spots or lines that fade over time.
Serious complications are very rare.
Yes! You can return to normal activity right away, though high-impact exercise should be avoided for about a week.
Sclerotherapy is not recommended if you are:
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- Have a blood clot or active vein inflammation
- Are allergic to the treatment solution
Depending on your vein condition, other options may include:
- VenaSeal™ (medical glue treatment)
- Phlebectomy (small vein removal procedure)
Yes! Compression stockings play an important role in your recovery. They gently support your veins, help improve circulation, and make sure the treated veins stay closed while your body heals.
You’ll need to wear them continuously for the first 7 days, unless your doctor gives you other instructions. After that, it’s best to wear them during the day for another week.
The height of the stockings depends on where you had treatment:
- Thigh-high or Pantihose stockings are best for veins treated on or above the knee.
- Knee-high stockings are usually enough if only the lower legs were treated.
They may not be the most stylish accessory—but your legs will thank you later!
After sclerotherapy, your skin is a little more sensitive as it heals. If exposed to the sun too soon, the treated areas can develop dark spots (hyperpigmentation). To help your skin heal beautifully, avoid direct sunlight or tanning for about 4 weeks. When you’re outdoors, cover the area or apply SPF 30+ sunscreen. Protecting your skin not only prevents pigmentation—it helps ensure the best cosmetic results from your treatment.
No, Sclerotherapy is not covered by provincial health plans or private insurance. The staff will review the treatment cost and payment options with you before the procedure.
Surgical Treatments
Yes, both procedures are safe and well-established. As with any surgery, there are small risks of bruising, infection, or numbness, but serious complications are rare. Your doctor will discuss these with you and take steps to minimize any risk.
You’ll notice an improvement in your leg’s appearance and comfort within a few weeks, with full results visible once swelling and bruising resolve—usually after 4–6 weeks.
Both procedures are designed to remove problematic varicose veins that are no longer working properly.
- Vein stripping involves removing a larger, damaged vein (usually the great saphenous vein) through small incisions.
- Phlebectomy (also called microphlebectomy) targets smaller surface veins, which are removed through tiny punctures in the skin.
These treatments help improve both circulation and appearance, and are performed under general anesthesia, depending on the case.
Your doctor may recommend vein stripping, phlebectomy or a combination of both if you have large, bulging varicose veins, or if symptoms like aching, heaviness, swelling, or skin irritation aren’t improving with conservative treatments such as compression stockings.
Although variable, most patients describe the procedure as uncomfortable rather than painful. General anesthesia is used, so you’ll be comfortable throughout. Afterward, you may feel some tightness, bruising, or soreness, which typically improves within 4-6 weeks.
You’ll go home the same day in most cases. It’s important to walk and stay lightly active to promote good blood flow.
Your doctor will ask you to wear compression stockings for 2 weeks to reduce swelling and help your legs heal. Some bruising and tenderness are normal, but these fade gradually. Most people can return to work and daily activities within a few days.
Compression stockings are your best friend after vein surgery! They help reduce swelling, improve circulation, and keep the treated areas comfortable as your body adjusts. Depending on your procedure, your doctor will recommend either knee-high or thigh-high stockings and tell you how long to wear them.
The incisions made during these procedures are very small—often just a few millimeters—so scarring is minimal and usually fades over time. Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how natural their legs look after healing.
The veins removed during surgery are gone for good, but new varicose veins can develop over time—especially if you have an underlying tendency for vein disease. Regular follow-up visits and good leg care (like staying active and wearing compression when needed) can help maintain your results.
VenaSeal
VenaSeal™ is a minimally invasive treatment that uses a special medical adhesive (“vein glue”) to seal diseased veins in the leg.
Once the vein is closed, blood naturally reroutes through healthy veins, reducing symptoms and improving leg appearance.
During the procedure, your vein specialist uses ultrasound guidance to insert a tiny catheter into the affected vein.
A small amount of medical-grade adhesive is delivered along the vein’s length to seal it shut — without the need for heat, general anesthesia, or multiple needle sticks.
- No heat or risk of thermal injury
- No need for general anesthesia
- Minimal bruising or discomfort
- Quick recovery — return to normal activities immediately
- No need for post-treatment compression stockings in most cases
Most patients feel little to no pain. You may feel slight pressure or mild pulling as the catheter is positioned, but the procedure is generally very comfortable.
A typical VenaSeal™ treatment takes 45–75 minutes and is performed right in the clinic under local anesthesia.
- You can walk immediately after the procedure.
- Most patients return to normal activities the same day.
- Some mild tenderness or tightness may occur along the treated vein for a few days.
- Compression stockings are usually not required (unless your provider advises otherwise).
Many patients notice improvement in leg symptoms (heaviness, aching, swelling) within days. Visible veins may take a few weeks to fade as the body reabsorbs them.
Yes. Once a treated vein is sealed, it stays closed permanently. However, new veins can develop over time due to vein disease progression, which can also be treated.
Side effects are rare and typically mild.
They may include:
- Mild tenderness or inflammation along the treated vein
- Temporary redness or itching
- Rarely, a small area of phlebitis (vein inflammation)
- Severe allergic reactions or deep vein clots are very uncommon.
VenaSeal™ is ideal for patients with:
- Varicose veins caused by great or small saphenous vein reflux
- Leg symptoms like heaviness, swelling, fatigue, or cramps
- Active lifestyles seeking quick recovery and minimal downtime
Your vein specialist will confirm suitability using an ultrasound evaluation.
No, VenaSeal™ is not covered by provincial health plans or private insurance. Your doctor will review the treatment cost and payment options with you before the procedure.
Yes! Most patients drive home and resume work the same day.
Most patients need only one session per affected vein, though additional veins can be treated in separate appointments if necessary.
