Expert surgeons from the award-winning Premier Veins, which has a clinic at Ashfurlong Medical Centre, say they have seen a surge in popularity for this pre-wedding procedure.
Donald Adam, Consultant Vascular Surgeon at Premier Veins on Tamworth Road in Sutton Coldfield, said: “Wedding season is just around the corner and many brides-to-be may not have even considered treating any varicose or thread veins they might have in time for their big day.
“Varicose or thread veins can often cause pain, swelling, or heaviness in the legs, which is not something brides want to be dealing with on the most important day of their life, so we’re advising them to seek treatment in plenty of time.
“Varicose veins occur when the valves in your veins don’t function properly, causing blood to flow backwards and pool. This results in swollen, twisted veins that you can see on the surface of the skin. Sometimes they can cause pain, heaviness, and swelling in the legs which, if left untreated, can worsen over time, leading to further discomfort.
“Professional treatment is so worthwhile before walking down the aisle. Many of our clients have told us they feel much more confident and comfortable after treatment, which is incredibly important before their big day, and it’s not just the bride that should consider it, but anyone who has a wedding coming up soon.”
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) is most commonly used to treat large varicose veins in the thigh and back of the calf.
Recommended as a first-line treatment by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, RFA involves using an ultrasound probe to guide a fine catheter into the vein, which transmits heat to collapse and seal the vein walls. Blood flow is then redirected through healthy veins.
Ultrasound-Guided Foam Sclerotherapy (UGFS) can also be used to treat more twisted veins. This involves making small punctures to insert tiny tubes, through which a foam mixture is injected to collapse and seal the vein. Like RFA, the procedure redirects blood flow through healthy veins.
Donald qualified from the University of Edinburgh and went on to gain extensive training in vascular and endovascular surgery in Edinburgh, Leicester and Adelaide, Australia.
He was appointed as Consultant Vascular and Endovascular Surgeon in Birmingham in 2004.
Donald has been awarded a doctorate in vascular research at the University of Edinburgh and is an author of several publications on varicose veins and leg ulcers.
Premier Veins is dedicated to transforming vein health and restoring confidence. Its expert team, with a strong foundation in the NHS and research, established Premier Veins in the Midlands in 2012 to deliver a superior level of personalised attention.
Its experienced consultant vascular specialists offer advanced, minimally invasive treatments that can help people regain confidence in their appearance.
The company has received the Best for Varicose Vein Treatments - UK award by Global 100 for two consecutive years.