A mum-of-four is finally feeling confident enough to step back into dresses after battling an unsightly condition that crushed her self-esteem for over 20 years.

Joanne Twist, a 54-year-old from St Helens, first spotted the troubling signs of varicose veins in her 20s. What started as minor lumps on her legs soon escalated into a network of bulging veins, leaving her with a “black and swollen”.

Despite being pain-free, the physical changes wreaked havoc on Joanne’s mental well-being, leading her to shun skirts, shorts, and dresses, opting instead to conceal her legs.

Reflecting on the onset of her condition, Joanne said: “I started developing them in my 20s when I was pregnant with my second child. But it does run in my family too; my brother has them, and so did my grandad. It just got worse and worse. I didn’t have any pain, but it impacted my mental health.”

The varicose veins even dictated Joanne’s wardrobe choices for years, as she confessed: “If I went to a wedding I’d have to wear trousers. I’d only have my legs out on holiday after a spray tan.”

She recounted a particularly distressing episode, saying: “Last year when I came home from holiday, my ankle had swelled so much in the heat that I couldn’t put shoes on. I went to the doctor for the first time then and had physio to help.”

Refused NHS treatment due to a lack of pain, Joanne successfully managed her condition without medical help for several years. However, when her brother benefited from a particular treatment, she considered it for herself.

Thrilled with the “life-changing” procedure at Veincentre in Liverpool, Joanne excitedly awaits wearing a dress for her son’s forthcoming wedding, something she credits to her newfound confidence. She reflects on her journey: “I have four children so I never had the time or money to do it but now they’re grown up. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done. It’s been life-changing for my confidence.”

Her successful treatment began with an initial consultation in early February, followed by Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) on both legs just a fortnight later.

With palpable relief, Joanne said: “In my consultation, the doctor noticed a lump on my other leg which was the start of varicose veins. So he treated both legs to prevent it from developing. I walked in and walked out again. It only took two hours. My dad came with me and he was surprised that I was able to walk out.”

Recounting the day of her procedure, she admits: “I was anxious about choosing to have the procedure and having the local anaesthetic was uncomfortable but then I couldn’t feel anything when the treatment was undertaken. I completely relaxed when the first leg was done.”

After receiving treatment, Joanne, who is an HR director by profession, worked remotely the following day, returning to the office later in the same week.

Joanne said: “I’m so glad I finally did it. I’d thought about it for years, especially when I was invited to weddings, as I couldn’t wear what I wanted to wear. I’ve been on holiday since and my wardrobe was completely different. I’ve also bought a dress for my son’s wedding. I really didn’t want to wear trousers for that.”

What are varicose veins?

According to the NHS, varicose veins are swollen, twisted veins under the skin, usually on the legs. They may feel lumpy and bulge out. They’re most common on the legs, but you can get them on other body parts.

The symptoms may be worse after standing for a long time and may get better when you rest with your legs up. Varicose veins are not uncommon and are not usually serious, but some treatments can help if they’re causing problems.

What is EVLA treatment?

EVLA is a procedure that destroys the affected veins from the inside using a laser.

Dr Nirmal Kakani, consultant interventional radiologist of Veincentre, explained: “This procedure is performed under local anaesthetic. An ultrasound scan is used to guide the laser into place which is then slowly pulled along the faulty valves delivering heat to seal the vein.

“This is repeated on all of the veins that have been identified as causing your varicose veins. It’s a gold-standard treatment and usually patients are in and out in around two hours.”