For patients in South Africa

Varicose vein treatment in Turkey from South Africa: a plain guide

This page is an overview of the vein treatments we arrange in İzmir, Turkey, for patients travelling from South Africa: treatment for varicose veins and removal of spider veins. It explains the difference, why deeper veins are checked first, and why the flight home needs thought.

Varicose veins and spider veins

Varicose veins are enlarged, often twisted veins, usually in the legs, that can ache, feel heavy or cause swelling. Spider veins (telangiectasias) are small, dilated vessels close to the surface, red, blue or purple, often in web-like patterns on the legs, ankles, thighs or face. Both can develop when the valves inside the veins stop working well and blood collects in the vein. Spider veins are usually harmless and are mostly treated for appearance or for mild burning, itching or heavy legs.

Guides for South African patients

• Spider vein treatment — sclerotherapy, laser and other energy-based treatment for small surface veins
• Varicose vein treatment — send your details and any scans; the doctor sets out the options for your veins after assessment

Both are listed on our main varicose vein treatments page. For other non-cosmetic care, see the other treatments guide.

Deeper veins are checked first

Before treating visible veins, the doctor reviews your circulation: an examination, your history and medicines, and usually an ultrasound scan of the deeper veins. If a problem in the deeper veins (venous insufficiency) is feeding the visible ones, it needs assessing and dealing with first; treating only the surface would give a short-lived result. Send any previous scans or reports with your enquiry.

For larger varicose veins, commonly used approaches include closing the vein from the inside with laser or radiofrequency energy, injecting a solution or foam that seals the vein (sclerotherapy), and in some cases removing veins surgically. Which, if any, suits you is decided after assessment.

Blood clots, compression and the flight home

Small clots in treated veins are a recognised risk of vein treatment, and sitting for ten hours on a long-haul flight also raises the risk of clots in the legs. Compression stockings are usually advised after sclerotherapy. The doctor who treats you decides how long you stay in İzmir, whether and how you wear compression on the flight, and whether any other precautions are needed. Do not plan a same-day return.

• Choose an aisle seat, walk regularly, flex your ankles and drink water on the flight
• Tell us at the start about any previous clots, hormone medication such as the pill or HRT, recent surgery or pregnancy
• After you get home, a painful, swollen, hot calf, sudden breathlessness or chest pain needs emergency care immediately

Planning the trip from South Africa

• Flights: direct flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Istanbul take around ten hours, followed by a short domestic flight to İzmir
• Visa: South Africans apply for an e-Visa online before travelling; see the e-Visa guide
• Sessions: spider veins often need more than one session; ask how many before booking, as one trip may not be enough
• Sun: protecting treated skin from the sun is part of aftercare, which takes planning in a South African summer
• Cover and cost: medical schemes generally do not cover planned treatment abroad and travel insurance usually excludes it, so check both. Pricing is transparent and written; it depends mainly on the treatment, the number of sessions and the length of stay

Follow-up at home

Follow-up continues by photograph, message and video call; Turkey is one hour ahead of South Africa. Tell your GP and take your treatment notes home. Under our treatment guarantee, complications and clinically necessary revisions within a year are treated in İzmir at no charge for that treatment; flights and accommodation are your own. See our clinic facts and complaints process.

What we will not do

We will not treat surface veins before the deeper veins have been assessed, promise that new veins will not appear, or clear you to fly before the doctor is satisfied it is safe.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between varicose veins and spider veins?

Varicose veins are larger, bulging veins, usually in the legs. Spider veins are small, fine red, blue or purple veins just under the skin, on the legs or face. Both can be linked to weakened valves in the veins.

Do I need a scan before vein treatment?

Usually. The doctor examines you and often uses ultrasound to check the deeper veins, because an underlying problem there needs dealing with first. Bring any scans or reports you already have.

Is it safe to fly home to South Africa after vein treatment?

The doctor decides. Vein treatment and a ten-hour flight both affect the risk of blood clots, so you will be told how long to stay, whether to wear compression on the flight and what else to do.

Can veins come back after treatment?

Treated veins typically fade, but new ones can develop over time, so further treatment in later years is not unusual.

Will my medical aid cover vein treatment in Turkey?

South African medical schemes generally do not cover planned treatment abroad, and standard travel insurance usually excludes it. Ask your scheme before booking; we cannot promise cover.

Start with a free online consultation. Planning the trip? Read the guide for South African patients and the e-Visa guide.