How does the procedure actually work?
To strip a vein, an incision is made above and below the damaged vein and the vein is grasped and removed surgically.

What are the potential complications of the procedure?
Side effects from vein ligation and stripping surgery include temporary pain or discomfort, bruising, hematoma, numbness and (less frequently) wound infection.

Is vein stripping covered by my insurance?
The cost of any surgical procedure varies significantly between surgeons, medical facilities and regions of the country. Patients who are younger, sicker or need more extensive surgery will require more intensive and expensive treatment. Surgery charges fall into five categories: 1) the surgeon's fees, 2) the anesthesiologist's fee, 3) the hospital charges, which include nursing care and use of the operating room, 4) the medications, and 5) additional charges. Insurance coverage for surgery expenses depends on many factors and should be looked into on a case-by-case basis.

How successful is vein stripping?
The outcome is good in about two-thirds of patients who undergo vein stripping. In one-third of patients, inflammation with rupture of bloodflow and skin discoloration remain for several months following surgery.