A recent systematic review suggests that minimally invasive venous surgery for the treatment of leg ulcers may have a greater impact on quality of life than traditional approaches. A total of 11 participants who had previously undergone surgical management for leg ulcers took part in semi-structured interviews regarding their experiences. Using thematic analysis, three themes were identified: ‘Living in Flux’, ‘Perceptions of Chronicity’ and ‘Expectations’. Surgical treatment may not only improve patients’ quality of life due to treatment of the condition but also by opening up a sense of hope, investment and agency not associated with traditional treatment approaches.