Hi,

I am a mid-30's male who was heavy in my youth and seem to take after
my mother's family, who suffer from varicose veins. While I am now in
shape and have been for quite some time, I have a number of varicose
veins on the side of one calf that are bothering me more and more as
time goes by.

As I have hair on my legs, they are someone hidden to others, but I see
them and they drive me nuts. Lately, after workouts I have found my leg
aches a bit and it is always the one with the varicose veins. They are
unsightly and I consider myself too young for them. I may be crazy, but
I swear they are getting worse and more noticable also.

I went to see a doctor about them last year. He was a bit rushed, but
he looked over my leg and showed me a place above my knee where he says
the vein "broke down" and the problem originates. He then explained
that that bumb on the side of my knee (which I never noticed) is the
start of the problem lower down. He then said he would strip my
varicose veins out the next day (a bit of a rush!) and then I would be
out of work for 2-3 weeks and off my feet. He then said he was certain
my insurance would cover 100% of the costs (he later billed them $300
for a 10 minute exam!)

Well, I had already read negative things about vein stripping so I was
hoping he had another solution. I also can not easily miss 2-3 weeks of
work even though I have a very good job.

I did not schedule the procedure as I really wanted to find a better
solution.  I then read about a lazer procedure who's name escapes me
where a small "tube" is lead down the vein and then drawn back as a
lazer seals the vein off and that is it. You return to regular activity
right away.

Anyone know more about this procedure? I would be interested, but would
like my insurance to pay for it. Heck, one would think insurance would
pay for something that kept me at work more than something that kept me
in bed for weeks.

Thanks!