Ulrika Jonsson Undergoes Varicose Vein Procedure, Opens Up About Past Struggles
Sydney, Australia – Television personality Ulrika Jonsson, 58, has shared an update with her followers, revealing she has recently undergone a procedure to address her varicose veins. Posting on Instagram, the Swedish-born presenter detailed her experience from a hospital bed, describing the treatment as “painful, uncomfortable and not the sexiest thing in the world.”
Jonsson, a familiar face on British television, admitted to struggling with bleeding and the discomfort of surgical socks following the procedure. However, she confirmed the treatment was ultimately “successful.” She explained that she is now in a recovery period, advised to rest for the next eight days. This marks the third time Jonsson has undergone such a procedure, with her last treatment for varicose veins occurring 21 years ago.
In her candid post, Jonsson humorously noted her therapist’s encouragement to step outside her comfort zone as the impetus for scheduling the procedure. She described herself as a “veteran” in this area, highlighting advancements in treatment. “Nowadays they not only hook the swines out but ‘microwave’ and ‘foam’ the blighters,” she explained.
Despite the discomfort, Jonsson expressed gratitude for her consultant, Mr. Northeast, and found a small pleasure in having a cheese and ham toastie prepared for her. She also alluded to a previous, more complex procedure undertaken in October. This involved a pioneering treatment to stem blood flow to her legs by accessing her jugular vein while awake, passing a wire to the pelvic area to embolise the feeding veins – a technique she had first undergone 21 years prior.
“So that’s me for the next 8 days, strapped in blood soaked stockings and trying my hardest to sit on my fat ar5e and take it easy. Fat chance. Send healing vibes and baked goods,” she concluded her post.
Understanding Varicose Vein Treatments
Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins that often appear on the legs and feet. Treatments aim to close or remove these damaged veins. Several methods are available, ranging from minimally invasive techniques to traditional surgery.
Minimally Invasive Techniques:
- Radiofrequency/Laser Ablation: These procedures use heat energy to seal the damaged veins. A catheter is inserted into the vein, and heat is applied to close it off.
- Sclerotherapy: This involves injecting a foam solution directly into the varicose vein. The foam irritates the lining of the vein, causing it to swell, stick together, and eventually scar and close.
Traditional Surgery:
- Ligation and Stripping: For more severe cases, this surgical approach involves tying off the vein and then removing it entirely through small incisions.
- Phlebectomy: This technique removes surface varicose veins through very small cuts in the skin.
The most suitable treatment option is determined by various factors, including the size of the veins and the patient’s specific symptoms. Ulrika Jonsson did not disclose the exact method she underwent.
Jonsson’s Journey to Sobriety
The recent procedure comes after Ulrika Jonsson candidly spoke about her struggles with alcohol addiction. Last month, she recounted a harrowing phone call with her best friend that served as a crucial turning point. Speaking on Spencer Matthews’ podcast “UNTAPPED,” Jonsson described the conversation as “awful” and deeply shaming.
“My best friend phoned me on a Saturday morning,” she recalled. “She said, ‘I need to speak to you because I spoke to you at 4 o’clock yesterday afternoon and I could understand a f***ing word you said. You have a problem and I can’t help you.'”
Despite the painful admission, Jonsson acknowledged that the intervention was born out of love and a genuine concern for her well-being. “I was crying my eyes out because there was no way of avoiding it. She said, ‘This is coming from a place of love, but you need help.'” Even after this wake-up call, Jonsson admitted to continuing to drink in the immediate aftermath, finding the conversation so shaming that she needed to numb herself.
However, this moment of confronting her addiction ultimately propelled her towards seeking help. Jonsson credits this “shocking admission” from June 2024 with saving her life and pulling her back from the brink of addiction.
In a powerful open letter published in The Sun, Jonsson shared her journey to sobriety, revealing she has been alcohol-free for over a year. She described her past as a “binge drinker who drank to black out,” detailing how her addiction developed insidiously. While she didn’t experience the most extreme consequences such as losing her job, children, or facing legal issues, the personal toll was significant. Jonsson admitted to drinking as a coping mechanism to numb “crippling anxiety, to escape, to disappear and extinguish my self-loathing.” Her year of sobriety has, she states, transformed her life in ways she never anticipated.
