Varicose veins are a very common problem. A study in Edinburgh showed that they affect 40% of men and 32% of women. These painful, bulging veins are first treated with non-surgical methods like exercise and compression stockings, but when these methods don't work, the next step is surgery. There are many different surgical treatments available for varicose veins. Here are three that your doctor may recommend.

Laser surgery

Lasers are very hot beams of light, and when these lasers are aimed at your varicose veins, they become damaged and are closed off by scar tissue. When veins are sealed in this way, they don't get any blood flow, and they die. Once the vein is dead, it will eventually reabsorb into your body and disappear. 

Having your veins burned away sounds like it would be painful, but it's actually not as bad as it sounds. Your doctor can give you a local anesthetic if you're worried about the pain. You'll feel heat against your skin, but as soon as the treatment is over, you can get back to your regular daily activities. 

Ambulatory phlebectomy

Ambulatory phlebectomy is more invasive than laser surgery and can be used for more serious cases of varicose veins. If you get this surgery, your doctor will make multiple incisions in your legs to access the veins. Next, the veins will be pulled through the incisions with phlebectomy hooks, special tools that look sort of like crochet hooks. 

The incisions aren't sewn shut; this is to allow fluids to drain out. Instead, your legs will be wrapped in bandages and compression dressings. You will have some discomfort after the procedure, but should still be able to go back to work the same day as the procedure, and should move around as much as you can.

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy doesn't use lasers or incisions to remove varicose veins; instead, it uses injections of medication. This medication will be injected directly into your varicose veins to make them shrink. The veins will shrink right away, and in the weeks following your treatment, they will continue shrinking and eventually disappear. 

This surgery is a very fast procedure, and can be finished in about 10 minutes. You may need two or more treatment sessions to completely get rid of your varicose veins. This procedure can be painful due to the injections, but you'll still be able to get back to your regular activities right away. 

Varicose veins are painful and unattractive, but if non-surgical treatments aren't enough to get rid of them, there's still hope. Ask your doctor if you're a good candidate for one of these surgical treatments. 

To learn more, contact a vein treatment clinic like Carolina Vein Institute.