Woman’s Own: How to Handle Varicose Veins
Varicose Vein Expert, Dr Ross Perry
GP & Medical Director
Dr Ross Perry, the founder of Cosmedics Skin Clinics, provided expert advice for Woman’s Own’s feature on varicose veins.
The article explained that varicose veins are a common issue in the UK:
“Living with varicose veins? You’re not alone.
“Around 30% of Brits have them.”
As an experienced NHS GP with specific knowledge of treating varicose veins in the private sector, Ross was uniquely placed to explain what patients could expect from a visit to the GP.
“Your GP will assess the veins to see how extensive they are.
“They will be looking to see if the leg veins have signs of ulceration, pain, bleeding or skin colour changes – these are the signs the veins are moderate to severe – and whether you can be seen under the NHS or need to find a private clinic.
“In most cases, your GP will advise either compression stockings to help manage symptoms (usually for six months) or to go private.
“The criteria for referral to an NHS hospital is very strict, so you won’t be able to have them removed for purely cosmetic reasons on the NHS.”
Only around 35,000 procedures are carried out on the NHS every year, so the majority of patients have to learn to live with them or else consider treatment in the private sector.
Varicose Veins Symptoms
The feature summarised the symptoms of varicose veins:
- Heavy legs that feel tired and achy
- Swollen ankles or feet
- Lower leg muscle cramps
- change in texture or colour of the skin below the knee
Varicose Veins Information
Varicose veins are due to the failure of small valves in leg veins, which mean that blood is not efficiently pumped back to the heart but instead starts to pool and collect in the leg veins. This puts pressure on the vein, so once they’ve become established, varicose veins tend to get worse. Compression stockings and raising the legs can provider relief, but the only real cure is to remove the problematic veins with surgery.
Dr Ross Perry
Dr Ross Perry is Founder and Medical Director of Cosmedics Skin Clinics.
He qualified at Guy’s & St Thomas’ Hospital Medical School in 1994. His career includes NHS skin cancer reconstruction, work as a GP, as well as private cosmetic skin treatments.
He established Cosmedics Skin Clinics in 2003 and remains in charge as Medical Director. He is best known for dealing with unwanted skin lesions and blemishes (e.g. moles, cysts, warts skin tags) and natural-looking use of non-surgical cosmetic injections.
Cosmedics Skin Clinics
Cosmedics Skin Clinics was established in 2003 and has built up an excellent reputation for cosmetic and medical skin treatments, carried out by GMC Registered Doctors. The company offer a full range of cosmetic treatments, including popular lip enhancement and anti-ageing injections; plus medical treatments including mole removal, thread vein treatment and excessive sweating injections.
Cosmedics Skin Clinics has a team of skin treatment doctors and surgeons in their 5 skin clinics across London and Bristol led by Dr Ross Perry.
Call 020 7386 0464 or email info@cosmedics.co.uk to book an appointment.
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