Varicose vein treatment at Spire Bristol Hospital

A variety of methods to treat unsightly and painful varicose veins.

At Spire Bristol Hospital, our consultants offer a range of techniques to treat varicose veins – swollen, twisted, dark veins that develop due to weak valves in your blood vessels.

Varicose veins, which are typically found on the legs or feet, can be treated by closing off and destroying or removing the affected veins.

Sometimes also called

  • Endothermal ablation
  • Ligation and stripping
  • Endovenous laser treatment
  • Radiofrequency ablation

The procedure(s) listed above are examples only and may not be available at all Spire hospitals.


At a glance

  • Typical hospital stay
    Same day discharge or 1 night

  • Procedure duration
    45-90 minutes

  • Type of anaesthetic
    General, spinal, epidural, or local

  • Available to self-pay?
    Yes

  • Covered by health insurance?
    Yes

Why Spire?

  • Fast access to treatment when you need it
  • Clear pricing with no hidden charges
  • Consultants who are experts in their field
  • Rated 'Good' by the Care Quality Commission

By Wallace Health I Medically reviewed by Adrian Roberts.
Page last reviewed: October 2018 I Next review due: October 2023

Varicose vein treatment: what to expect at Spire Bristol Hospital

Spire Bristol Hospital is a well-established private hospital in the region providing excellent care and treatments.

If varicose veins are causing you pain or complications, or you’d like them removed for cosmetic reasons, we have a choice of consultants who can provide a treatment that’s personalised to your needs.

We offer fast access to consultations and treatments, in a clean, comfortable environment.

How much does Varicose vein treatment cost at Spire Bristol Hospital

It’s a common operation to have done privately, and our inclusive prices and access to payment plans make it easy and more affordable, even if you don’t have medical insurance.

Varicose vein treatment (VNUS - one leg)
Initial consultation We can't display the initial consultation fee just now. Call us for a quote.
Treatment price £4,394
Aftercare Included
From price From £4,394
Monthly treatment price

(Loan applicable to the treatment cost and excludes the initial consultation)

£232
Representative example
Loan amount £3,894
Deposit £500
Loan period 18 months
Representative APR 9.9%
Total amount repayable £4,176
Varicose vein treatment (VNUS - both legs)
Initial consultation We can't display the initial consultation fee just now. Call us for a quote.
Treatment price £5,974
Aftercare Included
From price From £5,974
Monthly treatment price

(Loan applicable to the treatment cost and excludes the initial consultation)

£239
Representative example
Loan amount £5,224
Deposit £750
Loan period 24 months
Representative APR 9.9%
Total amount repayable £5,736
Varicose vein treatment (surgical - one leg)
Initial consultation £190
Treatment price £3,357
Aftercare Included
From price From £3,547
Monthly treatment price

(Loan applicable to the treatment cost and excludes the initial consultation)

£170
Representative example
Loan amount £2,857
Deposit £500
Loan period 18 months
Representative APR 9.9%
Total amount repayable £3,060
Varicose vein treatment (surgical - both legs)
Initial consultation £190
Treatment price £4,822
Aftercare Included
From price From £5,012
Monthly treatment price

(Loan applicable to the treatment cost and excludes the initial consultation)

£258
Representative example
Loan amount £4,322
Deposit £500
Loan period 18 months
Representative APR 9.9%
Total amount repayable £4,644

The price shown is the ‘from price’ (ie the minimum cost of the procedure). Please note that for some procedures the actual price you are quoted may vary significantly and can increase depending on your choice of Consultant (who is an independent practitioner and not an employee of Spire). The fees charged by Consultants and Anaesthetists are set independently and are outside the control of Spire. The price may also vary depending on the type of anaesthetic, implant or drug used, and your medical history.

Spire Bristol Hospital can provide you with a single, fixed price for your procedure so there are no surprises. Please read Spire Healthcare's terms and conditions for full details of what’s included and excluded in your fixed price when paying for yourself. Finance options are available through our partner Omni Capital Retail Finance Ltd, 10 Norwich Street, London, EC4A 1BD.

Procedures offered for varicose vein treatment at Spire Bristol Hospital

Your consultant will recommend a treatment based on the type of varicose veins you have, your general health and your desired outcome.

We have a range of treatments available. All have their own potential benefits and risks which your consultant will discuss with you.

The following procedures all use ultrasound imaging to guide your consultant when positioning the injection or catheter (a thin tube through which smaller instruments can be inserted):

  • Radiofrequency ablation (eg Venefit®, also called VNUS closure) – a probe inside a catheter is inserted into the affected vein and uses radiofrequency energy to heat and seal the vein
  • Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) – a tiny laser inside a catheter is inserted into the affected vein which emits bursts of energy to heat and seal the vein
  • Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (USGFS) – a special foam is injected into the affected vein which blocks it

We also offer:

  • Transilluminated powered phlebectomy – a special light is used under your skin to see the affected veins which are then cut and removed by suction
  • Ligation and stripping – a surgical procedure to remove the veins

Preparing for varicose vein treatment at Spire Bristol Hospital

Coming into hospital

Spire Bristol Hospital can be easily accessed by either the M4 or M5 motorways, or by Temple Meads or Parkway train stations. There’s free parking available for you and your visitors.

Meeting your consultant

Your appointment will take place in one of our consultation rooms. Your consultant will discuss:

  • Your symptoms or reasons for wanting treatment
  • Your general health and medical history
  • If they recommend any additional tests or scans to help plan your treatment
  • Your treatment and recovery plan
  • What the treatment involves, along with potential benefits and risks
  • The anaesthetic you’ll require

You may also need a pre-operative assessment before going ahead with treatment. This is to ensure you're fit and well enough for surgery.

Varicose vein treatment: your procedure

On the day

One of our nurses and your consultant will meet you on arrival and get you prepared for your treatment. You’ll be taken to an operating theatre or a day surgery theatre.

Where you’ll be treated depends on what treatment you’re having and what kind of anaesthetic you’ll need.

The procedure will take between 30 minutes to an hour but may be longer if you’re having a lot of veins and/or both legs treated.

Anaesthetic

The anaesthetic required varies depending on the procedure you’re having and your overall health. Most procedures are performed using local anaesthetic (so the area being treated will be numb). However, sometimes it may be necessary to have a general anaesthetic, for instance it’s often needed for ligation and stripping which is a surgical procedure for treating varicose veins.

After treatment

You can usually go home two to eight hours after your procedure. You’ll be taken to relax in a private room before going home when you’re ready.

However, you may require an overnight stay, particularly if you’ve had a general anaesthetic. If so, you’ll have your own, en-suite room which will have:

  • TV
  • Window
  • Visitor chair
  • Locker/bedside table
  • Overbed table
  • En-suite
  • Wardrobe and coat hook
  • WiFi access

Q & A

Gary Maytham, Consultant Vascular Surgeon

Talking about varicose veins

Varicose vein treatment: your recovery

You can usually get back to your normal routine straight away after your treatment. However, if you’ve had ligation and stripping, or more veins treated, you may need to take a few days off work and rest. Your consultant may recommend compression stockings which can help improve blood flow while your body heals.

After three weeks, you’ll return to the hospital for a follow-up appointment so we can check that you’re recovering well and the treatment has worked.

Your recovery will be personal to you and you should always take your consultant’s advice. Here’s a typical recovery timeline as a guide:

0-1 days

Leave hospital

1 week

Stop wearing compression stockings and back to most normal activities

2-4 weeks

Aching should stop

4 weeks

Full recovery for open surgery techniques

  • 0-1 days


    Leave hospital

  • 1 week


    Stop wearing compression stockings and back to most normal activities

  • 2-4 weeks


    Aching should stop

  • 4 weeks


    Full recovery for open surgery techniques

The treatment described on this page may be adapted to meet your individual needs, so it's important to follow your healthcare professional's advice and raise any questions that you may have with them.

How to get to us

Based in scenic surroundings at the foot of Durdham Down, Spire Bristol Hospital can be easily accessed by either the M4 or M5 motorways, or by Temple Meads or Parkway train stations.

Find us on Google maps

Use geographic coordinates/what3words

Spire Bristol Hospital,

Redland Hill
Durdham Down
Bristol
BS6 6UT

Get in touch

Important information about COVID-19 tests

COVID-19 testing or antibody tests are not available as a standalone service at Spire Bristol Hospital.

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