Specialist varicose vein treatment in Umhlanga, Fourways and Somerset West

Funding depends on your medical scheme, your benefit option, the clinical indication for treatment, the procedure performed and your scheme’s authorisation requirements, so we confirm your individual benefits before your procedure. Some schemes fund it from the in-hospital or major risk benefit rather than from savings, which can mean patients on a hospital plan are still covered. We submit the authorisation request to your scheme on your behalf, and a written quotation is available before your procedure.

No. Vein procedures are performed in our office operating rooms under local anaesthetic. There is no hospital admission and no general anaesthetic. It is a walk-in, walk-out procedure, and if no sedation was used you may drive yourself home.

The radiofrequency ablation procedure takes 20 to 40 minutes. Minimal preparation is needed beforehand, and you leave our rooms once it is complete.

Most patients report little or manageable discomfort during the procedure. Mild soreness, tenderness or bruising can occur afterwards. For anxious or needle-phobic patients we can give a mild intravenous sedative before or during treatment.

The bandage is removed 24 hours after your procedure. We encourage you to walk every day from the outset, while avoiding strenuous activity for about a week. Most patients resume their normal activities within a day or two.

No. Endovenous techniques have replaced traditional open surgery for many suitable patients, and current international guidelines recommend endovenous ablation in preference to stripping for symptomatic superficial reflux. Open surgery remains appropriate in selected cases. Dr Blignaut does not offer stripping surgery; which endovenous technique suits you is decided after your duplex scan.

The only way to be certain is a duplex ultrasound scan performed by a vein specialist. Symptomatic superficial vein reflux is what these treatments address. Reflux in the deep veins does not by itself rule out treatment; suitability depends on the scan findings, your symptoms and whether the deep veins are obstructed, for example after a previous DVT. Every new patient has a duplex scan before any treatment is planned.

No. Untreated venous reflux can progress to skin changes, pigmentation, eczema, bleeding and venous leg ulcers. Some patients with small veins have significant pain, while others with large veins have none, so the appearance of the veins is not a reliable guide to the problem underneath.