“Is vein stripping done under general anesthesia?”

Vein stripping involves surgically removing the long saphenous vein, and is performed in the operating room. It used to be the standard of care. If you were to have a vein stripping, it would most likely be performed under a general anesthetic. This procedure is rarely performed. The standard of care transitioned to thermal ablation, an office procedure, performed using local anesthesia.

Vein stripping is mostly an antiquated procedure. I have not done this since the 1990's. Vein closure, vein Sclerotherapy, and percutaneous phlebectomy are more modern treatments.

Yes, it can be very painful.