Before and After Picture of Non-surgical Removal of Varicose Veins at La Jolla Vein Care. The before picture shows bulging varicose veins that arise from an incompetent great saphenous vein (this vein is not visible to the naked eye). In the past, these veins would have been stripped with vein stripping surgery. Fortunately, new technology allows for even large varicose veins to be removed without surgery. This patient underwent radiofrequency ablation (or endovenous ablation) of the great saphenous vein and foam sclerotherapy of the bulging varicose veins at La Jolla Vein Care.