Forty years before, Mark had had some treatment and surgery on the veins in his left leg because he had had discomfort then also, so he knew that it was likely he would need further medical attention. Going to his private GP for a referral for specialist care, he was soon put in touch with Mr Obiekezie Agu, Consultant Vascular and Endovascular Surgeon based at HCA UK’s The Princess Grace Hospital, who soon sent him for a thorough physical examination and a duplex scan of the legs which took around an hour. 

A new treatment

Following radiology interpreting the results, it was deemed that Mark had severe varicose veins that would need to be treated using endovenous laser treatment (EVLA), a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that uses a laser to heat and seal the affected veins from the inside. The body then redirects blood flow to the healthier veins, while the closed veins gradually disappear. This procedure reduces scarring, and patients can often get back to normal activities within days as opposed to the older methods of surgery which could take weeks or months. 

To limit any movement in the operating theatre and given that he would need to lie on his front for some time, Mark underwent a general anaesthetic during the procedure in June 2025. All went well and he was up and about very soon after. 

“To be honest, the recovery from the procedure has been relatively unproblematic. I had the procedure in the summer and I don’t have any aches in my leg anymore at all. The varicose veins didn’t look great, if we are thinking about aesthetics also, so by lasering in the way Mr Agu did, everything has been taken care of. I’m thrilled.”

“I didn’t even need the painkillers they gave me on the night of the surgery.”

Next steps

Mark took it very easy for the first month after the EVLA procedure, in order to fully recuperate and not undo any of the work that had been done, really giving the veins time to seal and work through the treatment. 

After that, Mr Agu did a follow-up appointment and Mark had healed extremely well. 

“[Mr Agu] was great and very professional. Very comforting. Very easy to communicate with, as was his secretary Jane, who was extremely helpful and responsive at all times. Everything went so well.”

And Mark’s one message to anyone suffering with varicose veins:

“If you have a constant ache or niggle that is always there in the background, find yourself a specialist, someone who knows what they’re doing. If you can easily get rid of the veins that are causing the problem like I have, why wouldn’t you? Put a tick in that box and then you can happily get on with your life.”

“I’m a keen traveller, and now I don’t have to worry about getting on that plane – my wife is super happy also as I can stand in the kitchen and cook a meal without aching (or talking about it!)”

We wish Mark continued health and thank him for sharing his story. If you are looking for more information about varicose vein treatment, find a specialist here.