The MakeMeThinner Support Forum

[Zinkette99]

Ok today was great because I am officially in the 20 pound club.

HOWEVER....

I was horrified to discover I am developing spider veins on my thighs. They are faint but they are there. I hardly ever look at my thighs (they disgust me) but I was so happy with my weight loss that I did a full examination of my body and...

I found the spider veins. Ugh. Is there a way to get rid of them? When I lose more weight will they go away? I am only 25!

[Arklahoma]

The only way you can get rid of them is to see a doc. I think they can inject saline to get them to collapse or laser the surface of your skin.

[Aerie]

I have them too and am planning on a laser treatment for my B-Day in February.

[Zinkette99]

Oh wow... Does it hurt??

[TheShadow]

I had tiny broken capillaries on my face and I had them lasered. It hurts a little. More like a stinging than a full fledged hurt. I have heard it described as like being snapped with a rubber band repeatedly. I didn't think it felt like that. It was more like a hot little needle pricking repeatedly to me. For large veins, I think the saline injection thing would be the way to go.

Tammy

[DntCryLilEmoGrl]

i have vericose veins (sp?) on the back of my thighs...not bad..just a couple im only 21 hehe..but i think its because i cross my legs alot... they arent too bad right now so im not worrying too much

[alohacate]

Congrats on the "20" club!!! Thanks for posting this topic, I too have spider veins - too many to count, maybe their removal will be my weight loss reward!

[SharonR]

I have know clients and friends who did the saline treatment and were very happy. The recovery is rather long with having to wear those lovely tights for weeks on end..lol

[TheShadow]

The laser leaves lovely little blisters that swell up and then pop and gradually dry out and peel. Then it's red for a week or so after. "Virtually no down time" my butt!!! I looked like aI had a serious acne breakout.

[Elke]

Hey Zink, I am so glad you posted this. I have been noticing them on my legs too. I don't like them and will probablly get them removed at the end of this diet...along with a tummy tuck and a lift. Anyway, thanks for letting me know I am not alone

[Lauren]

Okay, I was going to hold out on saying anthing in this post, because I am not normally a fan of giving the horror story side, but please just be careful with the whole sclerotherapy thing. Sclerotherapy is the procedure of injecting saline or some other substance (other things have been used as well, a sclerosing agent) into a spider vein.

I had a spider vein for years that always bothered me, right on my calf. It wasn't bad or even very noticable to anyone else, but it bothered me, what can I say? :-) Well, I decided 2 Februaries ago that I was treating myself to sclerotherapy with my favorite dermatologist. I have always been fortunate about not having problem skin on my face or neck or back, but my body has always been a dermatological nightmare. I grew up with hives, then got a series of other fairly traumatic skin conditions, some of which I still have to this day...so I have a trusted dermatologist - he's brilliant, Harvard educated, and always at the forefront of new technologies and procedures.

Anyway, I went in for the simple procedure, he did a quick injection, barely any pain (tiny sting), and I went home. No prob. Later I got the big blood blisters that someone mentioned above, so I called hiim, he said that rarely happens but it is a potential side effect, and not to worry. So, I didn't. Well, crazy of all craziness, for some reason this blister turned into an insane wound, and I am talking wound like an ulcer, a big gaping hole in my leg, and I proceeded to have months of appointments of cutting out tissue that kept dying and restitching the area, over and over. It has now been a year and a half, and I still have a 2 inch scar AND some crazy weird dark bruise around the whole thing that will not go away or get lighter.

My point is not to scare anyone away, because my mom and many friends of mine have had it, and it's really not a big issue. But, you should go into every procedure, even the simplest, knowing that bad reactions can occur. Basically, I had a really bad reaction to the injection, and then evidently was allergic to the internal stitches required, etc etc. I absolutely have a situation way worse than what I went in there to improve.

So before everyone runs to their doctors, just weigh your options, do your research, and determine how bothered you are by something. Always consider the possible "what ifs" when deciding.

Okay, I am done my Public Service Announcement! :-)

Lauren

[MISSANNE]

I have very bad vericous veins on both legs but on my right leg they are so bad they ache and protrude terribly. They have continued down my leg into my ankles. I have seen the pictures and researched how bad it can be once they hit the foot if you don't take care of them. In some cases, and not all that rare, they have amputated a foot.

I'm not willing to let it get that bad. Vein stripping is out of the question since you have to be off your feet solid for 2 weeks then no activity for 4 more. Laser is not permanent and my insurance won't cover that anyways. So for me, Sclerotherapy is my best option. My insurance covers 80% of it and it allows me to be back to work within an hour.

I am currently getting Sclerotherapy on my right leg. My doctor uses some type of foam to collapse the vein. I have had no problems yet and can't wait to finish this leg and get started on the other. It hasn't even interupted my working out.

However, I realize, as Lauren said, this is not for everyone. Even I could have a bad experience on my other leg, ya never know.

I reasearched my DR very throughly and got several opinions before I committed to anything or anyone. I checked with medical boards and made sure there were no complaints ever filed.


I should be done with my right leg in another month, we'll see how it goes when its all done.

[Zinkette99]

Everyone thank you so much for sharing! I like hearing both sides of the issue.

And MISSANNE let us know how it all goes! I am glad you are doing well so far.