| |
|
|
| |
The following represent the most commonly asked questions pertaining to the services provided at the Vein and Laser Center. You may click on any question and you will be taken to the appropriate answer. If you have any further questions or seek clarification, don't hesitate to call the center at
.
|
 |
How do I choose a vein/laser specialist?
|
Many medical specialists provide vein treatment services: Vascular Surgeons, Dermatologists, Plastic Surgeons and others. The best results are obtained when the treatments are performed by a highly experienced trained individual. The informed patient will ask his or her physician the following questions:
- How many procedures do you perform per year?
- What percentage of your practice is devoted to vein treatments?
- Do you belong to a society (eg. American College of Phlebology)?
- Do you attend meetings pertaining to the treatment of veins?
The patient should not be embarrassed to ask these questions. The ethical physician would encourage these inquiries.
|
 |
|
What services are provided at the Vein and Laser Center?
|
, Director is a Board Certified General and Vascular Surgeon with 20 years of experience and specialization in the treatment of the following venous problems:
- Breast and Body veins
- Hand Veins
- Varicose veins
- Spider veins and blemishes
- Venous leg ulcers
- Phlebitis
- Chronic leg swelling
- Facial veins, rosacea
- Difficult and recurrent venous problems
Treatment modalities include:
- Injection sclerotherapy
- Laser sclerotherapy
- Minimally invasive microsurgery, with immediate return to normal activities
Division of Laser aesthetics for removal of unwanted hair
|
|
How are varicose veins and spider veins treated at the Center?
|
After a thorough clinical evaluation, a treatment plan will be designed to meet the individual patient's needs. Treatment may consist of a combination of sclerotherapy, laser treatments and microsurgery.
|
|
Are the treatments painful?
|
Most patients report minimal to no pain while undergoing injection sclerotherapy or laser therapy. For patients with heightened sensitivity or apprehensive patients, an anesthetic cream is applied prior to the procedure.
|
|
What about facial veins?
|
The blush-like blemishes commonly seen on the face and called telangiectasias are the result of sun exposure and genetic predisposition. Laser treatment is highly effective for these blemishes. Another treatable condition seen in adults is rosacea, which responds equally well to laser therapy.
|
|
Are the treatments expensive?
|
Vein treatments are relatively inexpensive, particularly when compared to other cosmetic procedures. If the veins are causing symptoms or there is a medical necessity, many insurance plans will cover all or part of the treatment. Surgery is almost always covered by most insurance and managed care plans. An estimate of costs, along with payment options, will be provided at the time of your first consultation.
|
|
What is sclerotherapy?
|
Sclerotherapy is a method of eliminating superficial varicose or spider veins by injecting a special solution called a sclerosing agent, directly into the vein. This causes the vein to collapse and seal itself off, eventually to be reabsorbed by the body. The blood is re-routed through healthy veins.
|
|
What is laser?
|
Laser is an acronym for Light Augmentation by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation. When a medium, such as a gas or crystal, is stimulated by the flow of electrons, a special kind of light called coherent light is generated. That light can be used at various levels of intensity to specifically destroy unwanted pigmented lesions, blood vessels or body and facial hair.
|
|
Do the treatments work for everyone?
|
The majority of patients undergoing treatment will have total resolution of the visible veins or at least a marked improvement. There is approximately a 5% chance of having only fair results in which injected veins have not completely disappeared following treatment. Before and after photographs are taken, so that patients may objectively assess their results.
|
|
How many treatments will be needed?
|
The number of treatments required will vary with each individual, depending on the extent of visible varicosities and spider veins. A range of 1-8 treatments can be expected. Pressure bandages applied to the injection sites should remain in place for 24 hours after treatment.
|
|
What recovery is involved?
|
Normal activity may be resumed immediately, with the exception of activities which may soak the dressings (i.e., swimming, bathing). Legs should be elevated during rest periods. Strenuous exercise may be resumed after the dressings have been removed. Wearing elastic stockings is highly recommended since this improves the cosmetic and functional results of the treatment.
|
|
What side effects can be anticipated?
|
Some slight itching may be noted at treated sites from a few minutes up to a day or two following treatment. Transient discoloration of the skin, in the form of a pale brown stain appearing along the pathways of the treated veins, may occur. Generally, these resolve within 4 weeks, but on rare occasion have taken up to 6 months to disappear.
|
|
|
How are large varicose veins treated?
|
At the Center, we have developed special expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of large, symptomatic varicosities. A detailed clinical evaluation will include a venous ultrasound examination called a Duplex Scan. This scan helps to map the affected veins and identifies areas of abnormal valve function and reflux.
EndoVenous Laser Therapy, or EVLT, is a minimally invasive laser closure of the greater saphenous vein. Valve failure in this large vein ascending from the knee to the upper inner thigh is largely responsible for the formation of the bulging varicosities frequently seen in the lower leg. The procedure can be done in the office under local anesthesia. A special laser-tipped fiber is passed through a small catheter inserted into the greater saphenous vein. As the laser is activated, the resulting heat at the tip causes a reaction in the walls of the vein, causing them to stick together. The varicosities associated with this vein then disappear as blood from the lower leg reroutes through the deeper circulation. At most, a small incision of only a few millimeters length is made to insert the catheter. Because there are no large incisions or general anesthesia to recover from, normal activities can be resumed soon after EVLT, including driving and exercise. A consultation with our doctors will determine whether EVLT is right for you.
In a procedure called ambulatory phlebectomy, ligation and microextraction of the affected veins is performed under local or regional anesthesia, through tiny incisions that do not require stitches. This allows for rapid return to normal activities with minimal to no discomfort.
|
|
|
Will the veins come back?
|
In a small percentage of patients, the natural tendency to form spider veins will lead to the formation of new clusters in other areas many months or years following treatment. It is recommended to treat those areas as they appear during a touch-up or maintenance session.
|
|
I have been told that nothing can be done for my varicose/spider veins. How can you help me?
|
The well-informed doctor or patient will refer to or seek treatment directly from a specialist. Only after a careful evaluation by the Center's specialized phlebologists can a treatment plan be formulated and implemented. With over 1000 treatments per year, the Center's vast experience allows us to treat even the most difficult cases with excellent results. During your visit to the Center, you will be able to review our photography library with many examples of before and after pictures. Our emphasis is on excellent results and high patient satisfaction.
|
|
Where can I find a vein specialist near me?
|
If you are not from the Denver or Front Range area and would like to find a vein specialist near you, please visit VEINSonline.com.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
