Possible side effects: Serious side effects or problems from this surgery are uncommon.

• With general anesthesia, a risk of heart and breathing problems.
• Bleeding and congestion of blood can be a problem. But the collected blood usually settles on its own and does not require any further treatment.
• Wound infection, inflammation, swelling and redness.
• Permanent scars.
• Damage of nerve tissue around the treated vein. It is hard to avoid harming small nerve branches when veins are removed. This damage can cause numbness, burning, or a change in sensation around the surgical scar.
• A deep vein blood clot. These clots can travel to the lungs and heart. Injections of heparin, a medicine that reduces blood clotting reduce the chance of these dangerous blood clots. But, heparin also can increase the normal amount of bleeding and bruising after surgery.
• Significant pain in the leg and recovery time of one to four weeks depending on the extent of surgery is typical after surgery.