McKeown Medical
167 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4SQ
Date posted — 3.09.25
For many people struggling with varicose veins, the idea of treatment brings with it a wave of fear. Stories of painful surgeries, long recovery periods, and disappointing results continue to circulate, despite the significant advances in vein care over the last two decades. These myths can stop people from seeking treatment that could significantly improve their quality of life, comfort, confidence, and health.
At McKeown Medical, we frequently meet patients who are surprised and relieved to find out that varicose vein treatment today is nothing like it used to be. Under the care of renowned vascular surgeon Dr. Alex Vesey, we use the most modern, minimally invasive procedures to treat varicose veins effectively and safely.
In this article, we’ll debunk five of the most common and dangerous myths about varicose vein treatment and share what you really need to know.
This myth likely comes from the old days of varicose vein stripping surgery, which did require general anaesthesia and could involve significant post-operative discomfort. Understandably, stories of long, painful varicose vein treatment recoveries have lingered in people’s minds. However, these methods are now largely a thing of the past; less than 1% of patients still require these older-style treatments.
Today, we use advanced, minimally invasive techniques like:
In most cases, patients walk out of the clinic the same day, with minimal discomfort and no need for deep sedation at all after a varicose vein treatment.
Many people believe that treating varicose veins is a temporary fix, but this simply isn’t true.
Once a problematic varicose vein is treated and closed using methods like RFA or VenaSeal, it does not reopen. The success rates of modern procedures are high, with studies showing up to 95–98% closure rates for treated veins, meaning that only 2-5% of patients experience recurrence of their veins.
What people often interpret as a recurrence is usually new varicose veins forming, which can happen over time, particularly if underlying risk factors like genetics or standing for long periods are still present. However, with a proper assessment and the right choice of treatment, the risk of new vein development can be minimised, especially when combined with good lifestyle management.
Another outdated notion comes from the era of surgical stripping, which did involve extended recovery periods. But modern vein treatments are designed with minimal downtime in mind.
Most of our patients at McKeown Medical are back to work within 24–48 hours, and many resume their daily activities the same day. Walking is not only allowed, but it’s also encouraged straight after a varicose vein treatment to help blood circulation and healing. There’s no need to lie in bed for days, and the majority of patients feel well enough to get on with life very quickly.
Compression stockings have long been associated with varicose vein care, but they’re not universally required after treatment anymore.
With older treatments, stockings were often necessary to aid healing and prevent complications. Today, however, modern techniques like VenaSeal mean that compression stockings may not be needed at all.
Whether you need to wear them depends on your individual treatment plan. At McKeown Medical, we assess each patient on a case-by-case basis to determine if compression is beneficial, and if so, for how long. In many cases, people are pleasantly surprised to find no need for stockings.
The appeal of non-invasive, natural solutions is understandable, but unfortunately, this myth is both misleading and potentially harmful.
Topical creams and herbal remedies fail to address the root cause of varicose veins, which is typically structural valve damage inside the vein. No over-the-counter product can reverse or repair this.
While some natural products may temporarily relieve symptoms such as aching or swelling, they cannot close a faulty vein or restore proper blood flow. Without medical treatment, the condition may worsen over time, increasing the risk of complications such as skin changes, ulcers, or clots.
For lasting results, professional intervention is necessary, and thanks to today’s technology, it’s easier and more comfortable than ever.
It’s natural to feel cautious about medical procedures, especially when myths and outdated information cloud the reality. But the truth is, varicose vein treatment today is safe, effective, and life-enhancing.
At McKeown Medical, we offer a full range of modern treatment options, tailored to your individual needs and goals. Under the expert care of Dr. Alex Vesey, we take a personalised, minimally invasive approach to ensure the best outcomes with the least disruption to your life.
Don’t let misconceptions about varicose vein treatment stop you from getting the latest procedures. At McKeown Medical, we have a wide range of treatment options available if you struggle with varicose veins. To discuss which treatment may be best for you, book a consultation today.
Loose Skin After Weight Loss or GLP-1 Injections: Why the Right Treatment Varies So Much From Person to Person and...
How Quantum RF Can Help Tighten Loose Arm Skin After GLP-1 Weight Loss
Discover how biostimulators such as Sculptra and Julaine stimulate collagen production to restore firmer, more natural-looking facial support over time.
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Loose Skin After Weight Loss or GLP-1 Injections: Why the Right Treatment Varies So Much From Person to Person and...
How Quantum RF Can Help Tighten Loose Arm Skin After GLP-1 Weight Loss
Discover how biostimulators such as Sculptra and Julaine stimulate collagen production to restore firmer, more natural-looking facial support over time.
...Thank you to Dr Alex and all of the team! From my ultrasound scan to my treatment, I felt completely looked after and at ease all the way through. The procedure was easy and I was able to walk home! Thanks to everyone.
Gary - A McKeown Medical patientOctober 2024
“I can’t actually believe how easy it was. I was able to get up, walk out and go meet my friend for coffee. Within a few weeks my varicose veins were gone and so too was all the aching and discomfort.”
Gary, 39 - one of the first patients in Scotland to have this pioneering treatment which is now one of the most popular treatments for varicose veins in the USAOctober 2024
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There is no single "best" facial rejuvenation treatment - only the treatment that`s right for the individual patient.
For patients with more advanced facial ageing, significant jowls and loose skin of the neck, a deep plane facelift remains the gold standard. In the right hands, it can achieve results that more significant than what we can do with less invasive treatments.
This is one of our recent patients following deep plane face and neck lift surgery, performed by the incredibly talented @bramhallplasticsurgery. It`s always a privilege to work alongside Russell and see the exceptional results he consistently achieves.
One of the things I`m most proud of at McKeown Medical is that we`re a genuinely multidisciplinary team. We don`t believe every patient needs fillers. We don`t believe every patient needs surgery either. We offer injectables, lasers, minimally invasive procedures like the Quantum Lift, and facelift surgery because different patients, at different stages of the ageing process, need different solutions.
Our job isn`t to sell you a procedure - its to help you choose the right one.
If you want to have a conversation about which option is right for you, you can send us some pics by PM.
#DeepPlaneFacelift #Facelift #NeckLift #FacialRejuvenation #PlasticSurgery #AestheticMedicine #NaturalResults #McKeownMedical #Glasgow #PlasticSurgeon
I genuinely think the Quantum Lift is changing what is possible for patients who want to improve their jawline and neck, but do not want to undergo facelift surgery.
I have used earlier generations of skin-tightening technology and, honestly, I was often underwhelmed by the results. This is different.
By combining precise power-assisted liposuction, targeted treatment of the neck muscle where needed, and QuantumRF skin tightening, we can address the three things that most commonly age the lower face and neck: muscle, fat and skin.
This patient is shown just 24 hours after treatment. There is still swelling to settle, but the early change in her jawline and neck contour is already clear.
I have also included clips from the procedure for anyone who likes seeing the technical side of what we do.
Would you consider a minimally invasive alternative to facelift surgery for your jawline or neck, or would you rather go straight to surgery?
And this is why we LOVE combination treatments in the clinic!
Different parts of the face age in different ways. And even different layers of the same part sometimes age differently, which is why we often need to combine treatments to achieve the best overall effect for each patient.
This lovely patient first underwent some laser resurfacing to her eyelid area to take away the lines and wrinkles and tighten the skin. Then we used some HA to blend the contour below the eye and cheek. Finally, we addressed the lower part of the face and neck with some Sofwave to tighten the skin and Sculptra to give her more connective tissue support.
She is over the moon with her improvement. What do you think?
The biggest mistake I see after weight loss? People choose a treatment before understanding what`s actually causing their loose skin.
Not all "loose skin" is the same, which is why the right treatment for one person can be completely wrong for another.
If you`ve lost weight and aren`t sure which option is right for you, the first step isn`t choosing a device. It`s getting the right diagnosis.
Looking for some advice? Send us a DM to get started.
The Quantum Lift!
We introduced this new technique only a few weeks ago and, well, it’s going even better than expected. This is one of our patients before and immediately after. I always warn my patients that I cannot give them a surgical facelift result with a procedure that doesn’t involve cutting but honestly, in this case, I think we got pretty close to a facelift result and closer than I was expecting.
First we remove some fat from under the chin and jawline before the quantum goes in to tighten the skin. I have included a picture of the neck after the we had removed fat from both sides, but only applied the quantum to her right side. You can see how much difference there is when I try to pinch the skin. In the non-treated skin I skin still pinch an inch (or two) but on the treated side there is very little to pinch, because the tissues have shrunk down so much.
The patient tolerated the procedure very well under simple local anaesthetic without sedation and we had a nice chat throughout. Afterwards she had a cup of tea and then went home with her husband half an hour later.
I have been very excited about The Quantum Lift for a while, but I’m only getting more excited the more I do. I really believe this is a massive step towards an effective way to rejuvenate the lower face and neck whilst avoiding traditional facelift scars.
Everyone knows we do lots of sophisticated facial work in the clinic. But did you know we also now do a lot of breast work too?
This is one of our patients who wanted breast augmentation. She specifically wanted more upper pole fullness so Kavita selected a 325cc high profile implant from Mentor, but placed them under the muscle to give a more natural take off. Mentor are considered the gold standard for breast implant quality and we only use their implants in the clinic.
The patient is just a few weeks post-op, so there is still a little bit of settling to go but she is already delighted with the shape and size. The key to breast surgery is listening to the patients concerns and then tailoring the procedure to get them the result they want - which is something the very fabulous Miss Kavita excels at.
What do you think?
The SMAS Facelift is back at McKeown Medical!�
Patients tell us all the time that they want to get rid of their jowls and facial sagging, but are hesitant about a lengthy surgical procedure or taking several weeks away from work and social commitments. The SMAS Facelift is an excellent alternative for patients who want meaningful improvement without the bigger commitment. �
It`s a technique that lifts and repositions the deeper tissues of the face while removing excess skin. Until Deep Plane became more popular in the last 10 years, SMAS was the gold standard. Compared with Deep Plane, it takes about 3 hours instead of 6-8, can be done under local anaesthetic, has a shorter recovery, and lower risk of nerve injury. For many patients with moderate facial ageing, it produces excellent, long-lasting results at £12,000, all performed by the phenomenal @bramhallplasticsurgery.�
This is one of our patients who had a SMAS Facelift with eyelid surgery five years ago. She`s maintained her results with HA fillers, like many of our surgical patients do, but otherwise her results are still going strong. That`s what SMAS can give you.
Every face ages differently and every patient has different circumstances. Some need the extensive correction of Deep Plane, especially if they have a heavy neck. Others are better suited to SMAS, particularly if you want a less invasive option with quicker recovery.
The right choice depends on your anatomy, your concerns, and your lifestyle. If you’d like to know more about the SMAS facelift, drop your questions in the comments or send us a DM!
So here she is! The one we’ve all been waiting for 😍 This is Lorraine 5 days after her Quantum lift. She’s still at home recovering because she had her body done too (more on that soon), so she’s not been back in the clinic for proper after photos yet. But she’s already delighted and sending the dreamteam these selfies from home. She’s obviously still very early and a bit swollen, but I think we can all see where this is heading already! I’m very excited for Lorraine… and for all of our lovely patients who are already booked for Quantum. This is a game changer for loose skin!
Thank you to this lovely patient for allowing us to share her upper blepharoplasty results, by the phenomenal @bramhallplasticsurgery .
This patient is 62 and came to us feeling self-conscious about the heaviness and puffiness of her upper eyelids. She`d found herself regularly raising her eyebrows just to lift the skin away from her eyes and had noticed a shadow appearing when she looked upwards and outwards, which was beginning to affect her peripheral vision.
Heavy upper eyelids can really knock people`s confidence, especially in social situations and in photos, and yet it`s one of the most straightforward areas to address.
The procedure itself takes around 45–60 minutes and is carried out while patients are awake under local anaesthetic. The scars sit within the natural crease of the eyelid, making them almost impossible to spot once healed
This is just 2.5 months post-surgery, and her scars are already settling beautifully. They`ll continue to fade over the next 12 months.
What do you think?