What was it like? Painful? What was recovery like? Did the vein disappear?

My mother has. She said it was painfull and it did go away to an extent however I think but am unsure that she still has discomfort occasionally. (she told me to not bother and to just put up with it however mine isn't very bad)

A friend just had a varicose vein removed earlier this week. She was stitched, has a bandage that she can't get wet, has to stand up and walk around for 20 minutes every hour, wears on that leg a non-roll support stocking (which she says, is wonderful!), takes OTC pain meds that her doctor approved, every day has improved. She can't wait to wear shorts this summer!