How we ensure you’ll always
Walk Out Happy
Patient Stories
Don’t take our word for it, hear first-hand how
we’ve helped thousands of patients walk out happy.
Say Yes to Better Legs
David Tag, Actor
David Tag, Actor
“I cannot believe my results; the vein has completely disappeared. I am so ecstatic!”
Kim
Kim
She’s finally free from the aching, swelling, and self-consciousness that held her back.
Gaynor Faye, Actor & Writer
Gaynor Faye, Actor & Writer
Varicose vein treatment relieved her discomfort, boosted her confidence, and let her walk 30,000 steps a day in Japan symptom-free!
Jill
Jill
Since her vein treatment, Jill’s leg discomfort is gone, and she’s sleeping soundly once again.
Chris
Chris
His story highlights how vein treatment can have a profound impact on someone’s life.
Martine, Celebrity Stylist
Martine, Celebrity Stylist
“I’d never heard of the treatment before, but I’m so pleased I discovered it.”
3 simple steps to ensure you walk out happy
The VeinCentre Consultation
A detailed conversation with your dedicated consultant about your veins, including an ultrasound scan. They’ll explain the results and recommend the best treatment options for you.
Follow Up
A follow-up ultrasound scan to check the results and, if needed, a quick touch-up to ensure you get the best outcome.
Tips for a Smooth Recovery
To ensure the best possible varicose vein treatment recovery time, follow these aftercare tips:
The VeinCentre Consultation
A detailed conversation with your dedicated consultant about your veins, including an ultrasound scan. They’ll explain the results and recommend the best treatment options for you.
Treatment
A minimally invasive procedure to restore healthy blood flow. It’s a walk-in, walk-out treatment that takes about an hour.
Follow Up
A follow-up ultrasound scan to check the results and, if needed, a quick touch-up to ensure you get the best outcome.
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Meet our
expert team
of consultants
Our team of over 50 expert vascular consultants are the best in their field. They are specially recruited for their skill and quality of care by our dedicated Medical Advisory Committee.
Varicose Veins Treatment
The below content has been medically reviewed and approved by Consultant Interventional Radiologist Dr. Mark Bratby (MBBS, MRCP, FRCR), Medical Director and Head of the Medical Advisory Committee at Veincentre.
Last reviewed 25th March 2025.
Varicose Vein Treatment FAQs
When do varicose veins need treatment?
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How soon will I see the results?
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If my vein is removed, how does blood flow back up to the heart?
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Is treatment the only way to get rid of varicose veins?
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Your VeinCentre Journey Starts Here
Varicose veins are more common than you think! They actually affect 1 in 3 people at some point in their lives. These swollen, twisted veins, typically found on the legs, can cause discomfort, swelling, or aching for some, while others may not experience any pain at all.
The good news is that modern, minimally invasive treatments are available to effectively treat varicose veins with a local anaesthetic and in only around an hour. At Veincentre, we offer modern walk-in, walk-out treatments tailored to fit into your busy schedule.
If you’re concerned about varicose veins for whatever reason, we’re here to help you. Our aim is to ensure you Walk Out Happy, looking and feeling your best.Test item
1.
The VeinCentre Consultation
1-on-1 time with your vascular consultant
Comprehensive ultrasound scan
Personalised treatment plan
£250
2.
Treatment
EVLA addresses the root cause of varicose veins, while foam sclerotherapy targets visible veins
NICE-endorsed as the treatment choice
Quick, walk-in, walk-out procedure with a 99% success rate
One Leg
£2,495
Both Legs
£3,350
3.
Follow Up
Includes another scan of your legs to check results
If needed, foam sclerotherapy to treat remaining visible veins
£250
Total
One Leg
£2,995
Both Legs
£3,850
A Friendly, One-to-One Conversation
Your Veincentre Consultation begins with a relaxed conversation with your dedicated consultant – the same consultant that will carry out your treatment. Together you will review your medical history, and your consultant will take the time to understand the concerns you have with your condition - whether cosmetic, symptomatic or both. Everyone is different and we want to make sure that this is your time to ask questions, talk through your goals and feel truly listened to by a vascular consultant – no question is too small! Our aim is to have you leaving your consultation feeling informed and ready for the next step.
Your Veincentre Consultation begins with a relaxed conversation with your dedicated consultant – the same consultant that will carry out your treatment. Together you will review your medical history, and your consultant will take the time to understand the concerns you have with your condition - whether cosmetic, symptomatic or both. Everyone is different and we want to make sure that this is your time to ask questions, talk through your goals and feel truly listened to by a vascular consultant – no question is too small! Our aim is to have you leaving your consultation feeling informed and ready for the next step.
Colour Duplex Ultrasound Scan & Diagnosis
Your consultant will carry out a Colour Duplex Ultrasound Scan on both legs while you are standing up. This quick, painless, and non-invasive scan is a key part of the consultation as it provides a complete picture of your vein health by showing both the structure of your veins and the direction of blood flow. If there’s reflux – which is where blood flows backwards due to faulty valves – it helps us identify the underlying cause of your symptoms or visible veins. With this insight, we’re able to recommend the most effective treatment options – tailored just for you
Your consultant will carry out a Colour Duplex Ultrasound Scan on both legs while you are standing up. This quick, painless, and non-invasive scan is a key part of the consultation as it provides a complete picture of your vein health by showing both the structure of your veins and the direction of blood flow. If there’s reflux – which is where blood flows backwards due to faulty valves – it helps us identify the underlying cause of your symptoms or visible veins. With this insight, we’re able to recommend the most effective treatment options – tailored just for you
Your Personalised Treatment Plan & What’s Next
Once your scan is complete, your consultant will explain the results and you will receive a treatment plan designed around your needs and preferences - along with full information about the benefits, risks and expected outcomes. The same consultant you meet today is the one who will perform your treatment - so you’re in safe, consistent hands throughout Although no one likes to talk about pricing, you’ll be pleased to know that our prices are clear, with a fixed-price quoted and no hidden fees or ‘from’ prices. This means you will understand exactly how much the treatment will be. Your scan results are valid for six months after which time your consultant may want to take another scan to see if your condition has progressed and if the treatment plan needs to be altered. We therefore recommend booking in as soon as possible.
Once your scan is complete, your consultant will explain the results and you will receive a treatment plan designed around your needs and preferences - along with full information about the benefits, risks and expected outcomes. The same consultant you meet today is the one who will perform your treatment - so you’re in safe, consistent hands throughout Although no one likes to talk about pricing, you’ll be pleased to know that our prices are clear, with a fixed-price quoted and no hidden fees or ‘from’ prices. This means you will understand exactly how much the treatment will be. Your scan results are valid for six months after which time your consultant may want to take another scan to see if your condition has progressed and if the treatment plan needs to be altered. We therefore recommend booking in as soon as possible.
Your Varicose Veins Treatment in 3 simple steps
We adopted our treatment pathway on how to diagnose and treat all types of leg veins in 2003, and it is now firmly established and recognised by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
We have over a 99% success rate at fixing the underlying cause of varicose veins.
Step 1 – Consultation with your Dedicated Consultant
At Veincentre, you will have a dedicated consultant who looks after you from your first appointment. The consultation includes a colour duplex ultrasound scan, which is necessary to determine if you have an underlying cause of your vein problems. We will explain the results of the scan to you there and then, along with a tailored treatment plan that will be based on your preferences and desired outcome.
Step 2 – Your Primary Treatment
For the majority of our patients, a treatment plan typically involves EVLA or Endovenous Laser Ablation which is endorsed by NICE as their treatment of choice. EVLA treats the source of your vein problems, and is often combined with foam sclerotherapy which works to treat the visible veins.
This walk-in walk-out approach, conducted under local anaesthetic, is highly effective and offers a 99% success rate.
For patients with minor varicose veins or thread veins, EVLA treatment may not be needed and the primary treatment is likely to be Foam Sclerotherapy. Depending on the scan results, alternative treatments to EVLA may be available.
Step 3 – Follow Up Appointment
Approximately six weeks after EVLA, a further colour duplex ultrasound scan will be carried out to confirm that the vein has been successfully closed and the source of the problem has been fixed. It is likely that foam and/or microsclerotherapy will also be required at this stage. Occasionally, some people return again for a further cosmetic follow-up.
Varicose Veins
Thread Veins
Facial Thread Veins
Leg Ulcers
Our Private Medical Insurers
We are recognised by all major private medical insurers, including BUPA, AXA Health, Aviva, WPA, and more. If you are planning to use your health insurance to cover the cost of your consultation or treatment, please contact your insurer first to find out the next steps and then you will be able to book in a consultation with us. You will need to provide your authorisation code to us, once confirmed, to secure your appointment.
How did varicose veins affect David?
David Tag came to Veincentre with a longstanding concern. He had multiple varicose veins on his legs, one was particularly large and had grown to the size of a thick rope (2-inches thick). The varicose veins not only affected his appearance but also caused unbearable pain and discomfort. After hearing about Veincentre and the modern treatments we offer, David decided it was time to take control and get his varicose veins treated.
How did varicose veins affect David?
David Tag came to Veincentre with a longstanding concern. He had multiple varicose veins on his legs, one was particularly large and had grown to the size of a thick rope (2-inches thick). The varicose veins not only affected his appearance but also caused unbearable pain and discomfort. After hearing about Veincentre and the modern treatments we offer, David decided it was time to take control and get his varicose veins treated.
Professional Summary
-
Current Post
Consultant Vascular Surgeon
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Hospital
The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
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GMC Number
6026599
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Qualifications
MBChB Medical Degree (Glasgow)
MSc in Trauma Surgery (Swansea)
FRCS(Ed) Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (Edinburgh)
-
Specialities
Vascular and General Surgery
-
First Year of Qualification
2001
-
Member of
Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (Edinburgh)
European Society of Vascular Surgery
-
Other professional interests
Aortic Aneurysm surgery
Vascular trauma
Carotid surgery
Vascular Access for haemodialysis
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Emergency vascular surgery
Varicose vein surgery
Profile
Mr Dan Ablett MBChB MSc FRCS(Ed) has been a consultant vascular surgeon since 2016. After completing higher surgical training in Edinburgh Dan did a 1-year trauma and emergency surgery fellowship at The Royal London Hospital. He began as a Consultant in Stoke-on-Trent before returning home to Edinburgh in 2020 where he now works at The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
Dan is a Surgeon Commander in The Royal Navy, having joined in 2007 and has served on numerous operational tours.
Dan has a wide-ranging and varied NHS practice including aortic aneurysm surgery, carotid surgery, lower limb revascularisation surgery for peripheral vascular disease, emergency vascular surgery, trauma surgery and vascular access surgery for haemodialysis. He also has a wealth of experience in all aspects of varicose vein treatments and surgery and has been doing minimally invasive endovenous procedures for over 10 years.
Dan offers the full range of venous treatments including endovenous laser ablation, foam sclerotherapy, avulsions and targeted ligations as well as microsclerotherapy for thread veins. He will be able to deliver a bespoke treatment plan based on the exact pattern and characteristics of your venous problem to get the best possible result for you.
Dan has a particular interest in medical education and surgical training, is an honorary senior lecturer at Edinburgh University Medical School and has taught on numerous Royal College of Surgeons courses.
In his spare time Dan enjoys cycling, running, keeping fit, travel, DIY, the theatre and spending time with friends and family.
What Are Varicose Veins (And How to Spot Them)?
Key Characteristics of Varicose Veins
It’s natural to wonder how to spot varicose veins. Here are three common signs:
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Enlarged and twisted veins
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Often appear blue or dark purple
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Most commonly found on legs and feet
Symptoms of Varicose Veins
Recognising the symptoms early can help in seeking timely treatment. Common symptoms include:
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Aching, heavy legs
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Swelling in the ankles or feet
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Burning or throbbing sensations in the legs
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Dry or itchy skin over the affected veins
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Muscle cramps, particularly at night
