At Vein Specialists of the South, we are committed to providing you with the best vein care designed to meet individual needs, delivered with WOW service. Our comprehensive approach to varicose vein treatment includes sclerotherapy, an effective, minimally invasive option to help you achieve Better Veins for Life®.
Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins that often appear blue or purple and typically develop in the legs. Unlike smaller spider veins, these veins are raised above the skin’s surface and can cause significant discomfort, including aching, burning, swelling and cramping.
Varicose veins develop when tiny, one-way valves inside the veins weaken. In healthy veins, these valves push blood in one direction—back to the heart. When these valves weaken or become damaged, blood flows backward and accumulates in the vein. The extra blood in the vein puts pressure on its walls, causing them to stretch, swell, and become twisted.
Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive for the treatment of varicose veins. A sclerosant solution is directly injected into affected veins using a fine needle. The solution purposely irritates the vein, causing it to swell, stick together and form scar tissue. This closes the vein and redirects blood flow to healthier veins. Then, the treated vein is reabsorbed by the body and fades or disappears.
At Vein Specialists of the South, we may recommend sclerotherapy for:
For more prominent varicose veins with significant reflux in the great or small saphenous veins, we may recommend other procedures such as endovenous thermal ablation or VenaSeal first, possibly followed by sclerotherapy for any remaining branches.
It’s just 3 easy steps…
For varicose veins, we often use foam sclerotherapy. This technique involves mixing the sclerosing agent with air or other gases to create a foam displacing blood within the vein rather than combining it. This allows the solution to remain in contact with the vein wall longer, increasing effectiveness for more prominent veins.
For deeper varicose veins that aren’t visible on the surface, we use ultrasound imaging to guide the injection precisely into the targeted vein. This technique allows us to treat veins that aren’t accessible through traditional visual sclerotherapy, ensuring more comprehensive treatment.
We use only FDA-approved sclerosing agents selected specifically for your type of vein condition. These modern solutions are more effective and comfortable than traditional saline injections used in the past.
Your journey begins with a comprehensive consultation with one of our vein specialists. We’ll evaluate your medical history, perform a physical examination, and use ultrasound to map your venous system. This thorough assessment allows us to determine if sclerotherapy is the right treatment option for you.
To ensure the best results, follow these pre-treatment guidelines:
The procedure is performed in our comfortable office setting. You’ll lie on an examination table with your legs slightly elevated while our specialist:
Most sclerotherapy sessions take approximately 30-45 minutes, depending on the number and size of veins being treated. While you may feel mild discomfort, such as cramping or stinging at the injection site, the procedure is generally well-tolerated.
After your sclerotherapy treatment, you can walk out of our office and resume most of your normal activities immediately. It’s normal for treated areas to appear bruised or slightly worse after the first treatment before they fade and look better after subsequent sessions.
To optimize your results:
Multiple treatment sessions are usually necessary to achieve optimal results for varicose veins. These sessions are typically scheduled 4-6 weeks apart. Larger varicose veins may take 3-4 months to respond completely to treatment.
After treatment, your doctor will schedule a follow-up appointment to assess your progress and verify that the treated veins have closed properly. Success is measured by the disappearance of the veins, improvement in symptoms and improved venous function.
At Vein Specialists of the South, we offer a variety of treatments for varicose veins. While sclerotherapy is excellent for many cases, other options may be more appropriate depending on your particular condition.
This procedure uses heat energy to seal larger varicose veins, particularly the great saphenous vein or small saphenous vein. Heat effectively closes the vein, which is then absorbed by the body over time. This is often the first-line treatment for saphenous vein reflux.
This innovative treatment uses a medical-grade adhesive to seal affected veins. It’s particularly effective for treating saphenous vein reflux.
This procedure allows for the removal of bulging varicose veins through tiny micro-incisions without the need for general anesthesia.
Often, the most effective treatment plan involves a combination of procedures. For example, we might use endovenous thermal ablation to treat the main refluxing saphenous vein, followed by sclerotherapy to address the remaining branch veins.
Not everyone is a good candidate for sclerotherapy. During your consultation, we will determine if this treatment is appropriate for your condition or if another approach would yield better results.
The ideal candidate for sclerotherapy:
Sclerotherapy is a safe procedure when performed by experienced specialists like our team at Vein Specialists of the South. Your detailed consultation will include a complete discussion of potential side effects.
We are dedicated to providing the ‘best and most advanced’ vein care. Our commitment to continuing education in the treatment of vein disease is ongoing. Dr. Kenneth Harper was one of the first physicians to become a Diplomat of the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine (AMVLM) and is also Board Certified by the American Board of Surgery (ABS).
The VSS vascular ultrasound lab and vein procedure facility are accredited through the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC). This means you can trust that our equipment, staff, and protocols meet the highest industry standards.
The VSS team participates in nationally recognized vein research. Our research has been recognized at the Annual Congress of the American College of Phlebology on several occasions, including the Platinum Research Award 2007.
The VSS team is passionate about vein education. Our team members regularly speak at regional and national phlebology meetings, practice management seminars, and vein care conferences. Providers from throughout the country come to VSS to learn from our vein specialists at the Comprehensive Vein Training Center.
VSS is committed to providing ‘excellence’ in vein care. Our team offers the best care, using the latest advances in equipment and procedures.
VSS is known for ‘WOW’ service. At VSS, the patient comes first, and our medical team is excited to be a part of their care. Our practice culture is committed to going above and beyond expectations.
We have over 25 years of experience offering comprehensive vein care, and many of our management and clinical staff have been part of the VSS team for over 10 years. Dr. Harper has evaluated over 22,000 patients and performed over 18,000 procedures since 2000. No other physician treating veins in our area, and few in the country have that kind of experience.
VSS introduced several minimally invasive vein procedures to Georgia, including the first endovenous closure procedure in the state in the early 2000s.
Most sclerotherapy sessions for varicose veins take approximately 30-45 minutes, depending on the size and number of veins being treated.
Most patients experience minimal discomfort during treatment. You may feel some mild cramping or stinging at the injection site, but the procedure is generally well-tolerated.
For varicose veins, multiple treatment sessions are usually necessary. The exact number depends on the size and number of veins being treated, but typically 2-4 sessions are needed for optimal results.
The veins that are successfully treated will not return. However, underlying causes may be responsible for new varicose veins developing later. Follow recommendations for lifestyle modifications and wear compression stockings as directed to help prevent new veins from forming.
You can get right to most of your typical activities immediately after treatment. However, we recommend avoiding strenuous exercise, hot baths, and sun exposure for a few days. Wearing compression stockings as directed is essential for optimal results.
Results are not immediate. Larger varicose veins typically take 3-4 months to respond completely to treatment. Patience is important as the body gradually absorbs the treated veins.
Yes, sclerotherapy is often part of a comprehensive treatment plan. We may recommend other procedures such as endovenous ablation or VenaSeal for larger veins, followed by sclerotherapy for remaining branch veins.
Vein Specialists of the South has over 25 years of experience in vein care, with board-certified specialists and an accredited vascular lab. We are leaders in vein education and research, training other providers across the country in advanced vein techniques.
Come prepared with your medical history, a list of medications, and information about your symptoms. Wear loose-fitting clothing, and be ready to discuss your vein concerns and treatment goals with our specialist.
Since 1997, Vein Specialists of the South has helped thousands of patients like you with varicose veins, spider veins, and leg swelling. Dr. Kenneth Harper is a leader in vein health is a Diplomat of the American Board of Surgery and the American Vein and Lymphatic Medicine. Terri Harper, MSN, FNP-C, is a renowned educator in the field of cosmetic sclerotherapy. Our dedicated nurse injectors have been trained by the best.
At Vein Specialists of the South, we have a passion for veins – big and small. We’ve helped over 30,000 people get Better Veins for Life®. Call today to schedule an appointment with the VSS team, where ‘Veins Aren’t Just One Thing We Do, They Are the Only Thing We Do.®’
Meet with your dedicated vein care specialists to get started on your personalized comprehensive treatment plan.
It’s not just one thing we do, it’s the only thing we do.®
556 3rd Street, Suite A
Macon, Georgia 31201
151 South Houston Lake Rd
Warner Robins, Georgia 31088
© Copyright 2025 Vein specialists of the south | Terms of Use | Website Privacy Policy | Medical Privacy Policy
