Prof. Dr. Ali Serdar Fak
Cardiac SurgeryVerified
- 29+years exp.
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Vascular Surgery
Varicose veins laser treatment
A guide to varicose veins laser treatment in Turkey: what endovenous laser ablation is, the hospital price compared with the UK, US and Germany, laser versus foam sclerotherapy and surgery, who is suitable, how long to stay, recovery, risks from named guidelines and how to choose a hospital.
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Dr. Bülent İlçöl
Cardiac SurgeryVerified
- 25+years exp.
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Varicose veins laser treatment in Turkey: what to know before you book
Varicose veins laser treatment closes a faulty vein from the inside with heat. It is also called endovenous laser ablation (EVLA, EVLT). A thin fibre is passed into the vein under ultrasound guidance, the leg is numbed with local anaesthetic and the laser seals the vein wall; the blood then takes other, healthy routes and the closed vein shrinks over the following months. There is no cut along the leg and no general anaesthetic, and most people walk out of the clinic the same day.
In Turkey the treatment is done by cardiovascular surgeons and vascular specialists in hospital departments. On our site varicose veins laser treatment starts at €940 at an accredited hospital, which is the hospital's own list price for international patients. Ask the hospital whether that price covers one leg or both, and how many veins it includes, before you compare it with a quote at home.
A flight is only worth taking if the plan is right for your veins. Varicose veins are a medical condition, so a duplex ultrasound scan, not a photo, decides which vein is leaking and which treatment fits. This page explains what you pay for, how the procedure works, who is a suitable candidate, what recovery looks like and how to judge a quote.
How much does varicose veins laser treatment cost in Turkey?
The hospitals on this page show their own price for laser treatment in your currency, starting at €940. The final price depends on how many veins and how many legs are treated, on whether the scan shows one leaking trunk vein or several, and on whether side branches are removed or injected in the same visit. The table gives approximate typical prices for comparison; they vary between clinics and are always confirmed in a written quote.
| Country | Approximate price of laser treatment (per leg) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey | from €940 | Hospital list price on this site; the scan and consultation are usually part of the quote |
| United Kingdom (private) | about £1,500–£3,000 | Scan and follow-up are sometimes charged separately |
| United States | about $3,000–$6,000 | Often billed in several parts; insurance may cover it when veins cause symptoms |
| Germany | about €1,000–€2,500 | Statutory insurance usually covers treatment of symptomatic veins |
Varicose veins treatment cost UK: the NHS and private care
The NHS treats varicose veins when they cause symptoms such as aching, swelling, skin changes, bleeding, inflammation or an ulcer, and does not fund treatment for appearance alone. Many people who do not qualify, or who face a long wait, compare the varicose veins treatment cost UK clinics charge with a package abroad. Price differences are real, but a lower price must not mean a skipped scan, no follow-up or no written plan.
The laser varicose vein treatment cost goes up when both legs are treated, when large side branches need foam sclerotherapy or phlebectomy as well, and when a recurrence after earlier surgery is treated. Flights, extra hotel nights, a companion and compression stockings are usually not included. We do not arrange loans or instalment plans, and you pay the hospital directly.
How endovenous laser ablation works
Endovenous laser ablation targets the great or small saphenous vein, the long trunk veins in the leg whose valves have failed. The steps are:
- Duplex ultrasound scan: the doctor maps the veins with the patient standing, marks the leaking vein and checks that the deep veins are open.
- Access: after local anaesthetic, a small needle puncture is made in the vein, usually near the knee, and a laser fibre is advanced to the groin or the back of the knee.
- Tumescent anaesthesia: a large volume of diluted local anaesthetic is injected around the vein under ultrasound. It numbs the leg and protects the skin from heat.
- Heating and closure: the fibre is withdrawn slowly while the laser heats the vein wall, which collapses and seals.
- Compression: a stocking or bandage is applied and you walk straight away.
The procedure usually takes 30 to 60 minutes per leg. Side branches that bulge under the skin may be treated in the same visit with foam sclerotherapy or tiny incisions (phlebectomy), or left to shrink after the trunk vein is closed. Be wary of any plan that treats the visible veins without checking the trunk vein, because they refill from it.
Laser, foam sclerotherapy or surgery: which treatment fits?
NICE guideline CG168 recommends that people with varicose veins and trunk vein reflux are offered endothermal ablation (laser or radiofrequency) first; if that is not suitable, ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy; and open surgery (ligation and stripping) if neither is suitable. In practice the choice depends on vein size, shape and the patient's health.
| Treatment | Best for | Anaesthesia | Return to normal activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laser ablation (EVLA) | Straight trunk veins, moderate to large calibre | Local (tumescent) | Walking at once; most routine activity within days |
| Foam sclerotherapy | Side branches, smaller or twisting veins, recurrences | None, or local | Walking at once |
| Surgical removal (stripping, phlebectomy) | Very large or tortuous veins that ablation cannot treat | Local, spinal or general | Often one to three weeks |
The EVLA page describes the technique itself. The vascular surgery category lists related procedures.
Who is suitable for varicose veins laser treatment, and who is not
You are usually a suitable candidate when a duplex scan shows reflux in a saphenous vein that is straight enough to pass a fibre, your deep veins are open and you can walk after the procedure. Reasons to wait, or to choose another approach, include:
- a current or past deep vein thrombosis, or a clotting disorder, which needs a specialist's assessment first;
- a very tortuous vein, a very small vein or an aneurysmal section;
- an active skin infection or open wound at the puncture site;
- pregnancy; varicose veins are usually treated after the pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- severe heart or lung disease, or very limited mobility.
Bring any earlier scan reports, a list of your medicines, and tell the doctor about blood thinners, hormone treatment, previous clots and previous vein surgery. If you have a leg ulcer, sudden swelling of one leg or a hot, red, painful vein, see a doctor at home first; the swelling of one leg can be a clot and needs urgent assessment.
Your trip: how long to stay in Turkey
Laser treatment is a day-case procedure, so the stay is short. A typical plan is two to four days: arrival and a duplex scan with the doctor; the procedure on the next day; a check, and a repeat ultrasound if the surgeon wants one, the day after. Treating both legs, adding side-branch treatment or combining the trip with other care adds a day. Ask the hospital which follow-up scan is planned and whether it takes place before you leave.
The how it works page explains the steps from sending your scan reports to arrival, and the Istanbul page covers the city.
Recovery after varicose veins laser treatment
- First days: you walk at once. A stocking or bandage is worn, usually for one to two weeks, as the surgeon prescribes. Bruising and a pulling, tight feeling along the treated vein are common.
- First two weeks: keep walking daily and avoid very heavy lifting, long standing and hot baths or saunas until the surgeon allows them.
- One to three months: the closed vein hardens, then shrinks, and the bulging veins flatten. Some skin discolouration or small lumps along the vein fade slowly.
Flying after varicose vein treatment slightly raises the risk of a clot, so follow the surgeon's written advice about the day you may fly, wear the stocking, walk the aisle and drink water. The general advice in our flying after surgery guide applies. A repeat ultrasound a few weeks later confirms the vein is closed.
Risks and side effects of varicose veins laser treatment
Laser treatment is a well-studied procedure and is generally considered safe, but it is not risk-free. NICE CG168 and the Society for Vascular Surgery guidelines list the following:
- Common: bruising, tenderness, a tight cord along the vein, and temporary skin discolouration.
- Less common: skin burns, numbness or tingling from a nearby nerve (more often below the knee), and inflammation of a superficial vein.
- Rare but serious: deep vein thrombosis or a clot reaching the lung, and infection. Contact a doctor at once for a swollen painful calf, chest pain or breathlessness.
- Recurrence: new varicose veins can appear over the years because the underlying tendency remains; the vein that was closed rarely reopens, but other veins can become leaky.
Choosing a hospital and checking a quote
The hospitals offering this treatment on our site hold Ministry of Health licences. When you compare quotes, ask for these points in writing:
- who performs the duplex scan and whether the plan is made from your own scan, not only from photos;
- which veins and which leg or legs are included in the price;
- the type of laser and fibre, and the technique used for anaesthesia;
- what happens if a vein does not close or a complication occurs, and who pays for it;
- how follow-up is arranged after you return home, and whether you receive the scan report and a procedure note to give your GP.
Ordinary travel insurance usually excludes planned treatment; see our note on insurance for treatment abroad. You can read more on choosing a safe doctor in Turkey, and all related procedures are on the cardiac surgery hub.
Hospitals with Cardiac Surgery in Turkey
Frequently asked questions
At the accredited hospital on our site it starts at about €940 (shown in your currency on this page). The final price depends on how many veins and legs are treated, and is confirmed in a written quote after the doctor has seen your scan or examined you.
Private laser treatment in the UK usually costs about £1,500–£3,000 per leg, depending on the clinic and whether scans and follow-up are included. The NHS treats varicose veins that cause symptoms, not cosmetic concerns alone.
It is as safe as the doctor, the scan and the follow-up behind it. Choose a hospital that plans treatment from a duplex ultrasound, explains risks in writing and gives you the scan report and procedure note to take home.
Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) is a procedure in which a laser fibre is passed into a leaking leg vein under ultrasound guidance and heats the vein wall until it closes. It is done under local anaesthetic, without a cut along the leg.
The needle and the local anaesthetic injections can sting, but the heating itself is usually not felt because the leg is numbed. A tight, pulling feeling and bruising along the vein are common for one to two weeks.
Usually two to four days: scan and consultation, the procedure, and a check afterwards. Treating both legs or adding side-branch treatment can add a day.
Follow your surgeon's written advice; many surgeons allow flying after the check on the day after the procedure, with a compression stocking, regular walking and plenty of water. Tell the doctor if you have had a clot before.
The closed vein rarely reopens, but new varicose veins can develop over the years because the tendency to vein problems remains. A follow-up scan and treatment of any new leaking vein keep the leg in good shape.
NICE recommends endothermal ablation such as laser first for trunk vein reflux, then foam sclerotherapy, then surgery. The best option depends on the size and shape of your veins, which your duplex scan shows.
The NHS offers treatment when varicose veins cause symptoms such as pain, swelling, skin changes, bleeding or ulcers. Treatment for appearance alone is not usually funded, which is why some people pay privately or travel.
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