Patient Story: Jeff

When Managing It Yourself Was No Longer Enough

Jeff, a 63-year-old personal trainer, from Bristol, had been living with varicose veins for around 20 years. Initially, the problem was mostly confined to his left calf, but over time it became increasingly noticeable and started affecting both legs.

As someone who competed in bodybuilding for two decades, Jeff became used to managing the appearance of his veins. However, as the condition progressed, it began causing swelling around his ankles, aching calves and blood pooling in his legs after long days spent on his feet training clients.

“I thought I was holding water around my ankles, but it turned out it was blood pooling because the valves in my veins weren’t working properly.”

For several years, Jeff tried to manage the symptoms himself, believing he could keep things under control. But when he noticed the condition worsening and beginning to affect his right leg too, he realised it was time to seek help.
 

Why Jeff Decided to Take Action

Although the symptoms came and went at first, they gradually became more frequent and harder to ignore.

Standing all day at work meant his legs would often throb by the end of the day, particularly during colder months when circulation was poorer. He also began noticing changes to the skin around his ankles caused by the swelling.

“It got to the point where I could actually see the damage it was doing. That’s when I knew I needed to do something about it.”

After discussing his symptoms with a doctor and receiving encouragement from family members, Jeff booked a consultation and ultrasound scan at VeinCentre.

Looking back, he only wishes he hadn’t waited so long.

A Simpler Experience Than Expected

Jeff describes his experience with VeinCentre as “amazing” from start to finish.

One of the biggest surprises was how straightforward the treatment and recovery were. While he experienced some expected soreness and bruising following his initial procedure, he says it was insignificant compared to the discomfort he had been dealing with for years.

“If I compare a week of bruising to what I was managing every day before treatment, it’s nothing.”

The recovery fitted easily around his busy lifestyle. Aside from taking one precautionary day off after his first treatment, Jeff returned to work immediately and continued training clients as normal.

In fact, following later treatments, he would walk more than three miles home from the clinic after his appointments.

More Than Just Physical Symptoms

For Jeff, the impact wasn’t only physical. Despite spending decades building his physique and helping others improve their health and fitness, he had become increasingly self-conscious about the appearance of his legs.

For the previous two years, he had stopped wearing shorts at work because he didn’t want people asking questions about his varicose veins.

“I’ve spent 40 years trying to make my body look the best it can, but I wouldn’t wear shorts because of my leg.”

Now, that’s changed completely.

“I don’t even think about it anymore. This will be the first summer in years that I’ll wear shorts in the gym and not worry about it.”
 

Looking Back and Looking Forward

Since having treatment, Jeff has become much more open about discussing varicose veins, particularly with other men who may be experiencing similar symptoms but feel reluctant to talk about them.

After sharing his own experience, his brother also underwent treatment and has been delighted with the results.

Jeff’s advice to anyone considering treatment is simple:

“Don’t think about it. Just go and get a scan and have a conversation. Let someone who deals with it every day explain your options.”

Reflecting on his journey, there’s only one thing he would change.

“I wish I’d had it done five years ago.”