Should I treat my Varicose Veins?

Should I treat my Varicose Veins? Sharing today all about one of my biggest physical flaws, and curious to know if others have had their veins treated, what the recovery is like, and if it’s worth the elective procedure.

Should I treat my Varicose Veins? I’ve asked myself this for years. It’s a special genetic gift that manifested itself way back when I was younger. I remember when I was in middle school, I had the spider veins on the back of my leg behind my knee cap. I noticed that other girls did not have that purple vein, and I tried to cover it up with make up. Yep, liquid foundation on my leg. I was self conscious about it then, but seemed to get over it in high school. I always knew it was there, but I don’t remember it bothering me, nor did I cover it up. Little did I know that after having babies it would be much, much worse.

When I was pregnant with my first child, I had some morning sickness in the beginning, but by the time my 2nd trimester started and that was over, I felt pretty good. My biggest complaint was that my legs hurt. I thought that was a normal thing in pregnancy, but in talking to other moms, realized that was not the case for them. When I finally spoke to my doctor about it by the end of my pregnancy, it was apparent I needed some relief, and they suggested support stockings. When I purchased the $50 pair of panty hose, I was SO annoyed. They were super thick, hard to get on (especially in my pregnant state), itchy, and restrictive, but they DID offer me relief from the throbbing of my legs. I wore them the last month of that first pregnancy.

I don’t remembering noticing a huge different in the visible state of my veins after my 1st child, but it got worse with each child. I tried the thigh high hose, thinking it would be better to not go over my big stomach, but the restriction cut off and the blood pooled on my thighs. I’d go days without wearing them, but I’d suffer. I remember for my 4th pregnancy, my right leg was the worse, and I hated those hose so much, I asked my husband to tightly wrap my right foot for relief. It helped, but I think it made the blood pool funny on my right foot.

So NOW, after 4 babies, my veiny legs are a hot mess. The worst being my right leg. I’d always seen it on my mom and grandma, just didn’t put it all together that that was my fate as well. I assumed that was an “old person” thing, and that it happened to everyone with pregnancy, but NOPE! I have lots of friends my age with gorgeous vein-free legs!

It’s definitely one of those things over the years that I’m very aware of, but I don’t let it affect me too much. The worse part of it is on my upper thigh, which really only shows itself when I’m in my swimsuit. I’m self conscious about it, but I don’t let it keep me from swimming. I have always had a skirt or shorter swim shorts, but that’s mostly because my upper legs aren’t as tone as I’d like them to be. Funny enough, I don’t let the purple bumpy veins rule my life.

I’m grateful that I haven’t been too insecure about it. I’m aware of it, but I don’t let it affect how I dress. I keep my dresses and shorts to my knees for modesty purposes anyway, so that’s a non-issue. So it mostly just shows in my feet in day-to-day life. In fact, when I look down at my legs from my angle, this is what I see…not bad!

But really, my right ankle is kinda the worst. It actually looks DIRTY. Even after I took this picture, I scrubbed over it with a white baby wipe thinking…maybe it IS dirty, but NOPE, no dirt came off! I’ve even had people stop me and say, “Oh my goodness, what happened to your ankle???” Thinking I rolled it or broke it or something. Nope, that’s just how it always looks: Purple and bruised.

{Don’t look too closely at the hairs I missed shaving!}

Should I treat my Varicose Veins? THIS is something I don’t love about my physical appearance, but I’m not sure I want to do anything “elective” to treat it. First, I feel like it’s mostly for vanity reasons (Vain, not Vein…haha!) that I don’t feel the need to. My mom and grandma didn’t, just because I CAN nowadays doesn’t mean I NEED to.

What will it cost? I actually have no idea, and our insurance coverage isn’t the greatest.
How much will it hurt? SCARED of the pain!
What risks are involved? It’s not worth it to me to risk for this.
Is it long term? Will I need to treat them again in 10 years?

These are the questions I ask, and have asked my primary Doctor, but have never taken the chance for a consultation with a specialist. I think I’ve avoided that because I know that the moment I do that, they will find a way to convince me to do it, and I want to decide before I go.

I’ve never been one to wrap my brain around any type of elective surgery. Lots of people are going for the nips, tucks, etc. but I’m happy enough to grow old gracefully and take all the stuff that comes with it.

As far as pain goes….once a month when I have my period, that’s when it physically hurts. My legs throb all day, and I can WALK ok, but if I STAND (in a line at the store, making dinner, etc.) it’s pretty excruciating. Even when I’m not on my period, standing still for too long is uncomfortable and I’ll either sway or dance slowly side to side, so as not to suffer the throbbing.

So I’d LOVE to hear….Should I treat my Varicose Veins? Do you have any answers for me? Do you suffer from the same fate as I?