How does the Procedure Work?

Ambulatory phlebectomy is typically done under light IV sedation or local anesthesia, so patients do not feel any discomfort during the procedure. The veins to be removed are carefully marked so the doctor knows precisely where to make the incisions for removal. Incisions used to remove the veins are so small, no stitches are required. Veins are removed in small sections until the entire vein is removed. The procedure is relatively quick, although the specific length of time will vary based on the number of veins the patient will have removed.

What is the Recovery Like?

After the procedure, the patient is fitted with compression stockings to reduce the risk of blood clots and swelling and promote healing. The stockings will need to be worn for about one week after the procedure. Most patients find that mild swelling and discomfort after the procedure can be effectively managed with over the counter pain medications. Symptoms usually abate after the first 24 hours. Patients are allowed to resume normal activities as early as the day after the procedure, although strenuous exercise is discouraged for approximately two weeks.

Are there Risks?

Like any medical procedure, ambulatory phlebectomy does have a few risks associated with the procedure. Risks are generally rare and might include:

• Temporary bruising and swelling around the incision sites
• Bleeding or infection at incision sites
• Mild scarring, although most scars are imperceptible after 6 to 12 months
• Temporary discoloration of the skin, which usually resolves on its own

Are Results Permanent?

Because the targeted vein is completely removed, ambulatory phlebectomy is considered a permanent solution to varicose veins. Some patients may have new varicose veins develop over time, which would require subsequent sessions to treat.

Ambulatory phlebectomy continues to be the treatment of choice for many large varicose veins today. Whether you want to remove your varicose veins for cosmetic reasons or to eliminate the uncomfortable symptoms that accompany them, our staff can help you weigh your options in varicose vein treatments to determine whether ambulatory phlebectomy is the right choice for you.

How does the Procedure Work?

Endovenous laser treatment is performed right in our clinic, and the entire procedure usually takes less than 30 minutes to complete. The patient is given light IV sedation and a local anesthetic for comfort. The doctor uses an ultrasound machine to guide the sterile laser fiber directly to the vein. Laser energy is distributed to the target vein to destroy it from within, leaving all healthy veins in the surrounding area untouched.

What is the Recovery Like?

Once the procedure is complete, a dressing and  compression stocking are applied to reduce swelling and promote healing of the treatment site. Patients are encouraged to walk about right after the procedure, and most can resume regular activities right away. Any residual bruising or soreness can be effectively treated with over the counter pain medication. The patient will return to our office in seven days so the doctor can evaluate the treatment area.

Are there Risks?

Because endovenous laser treatment is considered a minimally invasive procedure, risks associated with the procedure are relatively small. Some uncommon risks might include:

• Temporary discoloration around the treatment site
• Mild bruising or swelling that usually disappears on its own within a few days
• Tenderness of the skin, which can be treated with over the counter pain medications
• Infection at the incision site

Are Results Permanent?

Endovenous laser treatment is successful in permanently removing varicose veins nearly 100% of the time. However, other veins can become varicose at the same location, resulting in the need for subsequent procedures. If you are concerned about a recurrence of varicose veins, our staff can give you information about how to lower your risk of experiencing additional varicose veins in the future.

Endovenous laser treatments get rid of unwanted varicose veins with minimal discomfort and downtime and stellar results. If you want to learn more about whether this treatment is the right choice for you contact our office for Advanced Vein Clinics today.

Foam sclerotherapy utilizes an injectable solution that matches the texture of shaving cream, which can more efficiently stick to the walls of larger veins causing them to collapse and eventually disappear from view.

Foam sclerotherapy offers the following benefits over standard sclerotherapy procedures:

• The foam agent displaces the blood in the vein so the medication can be applied to the vein wall at full strength
• The foam is easier to see and track on ultrasound, allowing for greater precision for the doctor performing the procedure.

How does the Procedure Work?

Foam sclerotherapy is performed right in our Advanced Vein clinics and the entire procedure takes just a few minutes to complete. Ultrasound is used to help the doctor locate the targeted vein and inject the foam agent directly into it. The patient may feel some mild cramping in the treatment area for a minute or two, which dissipates quickly on its own. The amount of time required for the procedure will vary, based on the number of veins to be treated.

What is the Recovery Like?

Foam sclerotherapy is considered a non-invasive procedure that requires no downtime afterward. After the procedure, the patient is fitted with compression stockings to reduce the risk of swelling and promote healing. These stockings are usually worn for one to three days after the procedure. The patient is allowed to return to regular activities immediately after the treatment, although aerobic activity is prohibited for the first week or so.

Are there Risks?

The risks associated with foam sclerotherapy are minimal and may include:

• Itching or discomfort around the injection sites
• Mild bruising or swelling, which usually goes away in a day or two
• Temporary skin discoloration that goes away within three to six months
• Larger veins may become lumpy or hard before dissolving on their own

Foam sclerotherapy is a relatively new varicose vein treatment, so it is important to find a doctor who is experienced in the procedure. At Advanced Vein Clinics, we have used foam sclerotherapy successfully on many patients, to help them say goodbye to larger varicose veins without more invasive, surgical procedures.

An intense beam of laser light is used to heat up small, superficial veins and destroy them so that they eventually fade from view completely. The skin and vessels in the surrounding region are left untouched. The blood in the area is naturally rerouted through health veins so the damaged vein is never missed. This procedure usually requires a series of treatment sessions to achieve desired results.

How does the Procedure Work?

Laser treatments are performed on an outpatient basis and take less than 20 minutes to complete. The patient may be given a topical anesthetic, although most do not even require that. Most report that the procedure feels similar to a rubber band snapping against the skin. Because the laser uses heat to damage the vein, a cooling device may also be used to keep the patient comfortable. The patient is also given a special pair of goggles to protect the eyes from the laser light. The laser is then applied to the skin in a methodical fashion, addressing all the spider veins targeted for treatment.

What is the Recovery Like?

After treatment, patients are encouraged to resume their normal activities right away. Any mild discomfort after the procedure can be effectively managed with over the counter pain medication. Patients generally see spider veins gradually disappear over the next four to six weeks.

Are there Risks?

Because laser treatment is considered a non-invasive procedure, risks associated with treatment are minimal. Protective goggles shield your eyes from damage and a cooling device prevents burning during the procedure.

Are Results Permanent?

Laser treatments are usually done in a series of sessions to achieve desired results. Patients are scheduled for two to six treatments, each spaced four to six weeks apart. It is also possible that new spider veins will appear after treatment is complete. If this occurs, patients will need to come in for subsequent procedures to maintain desired results.

The non-invasive treatment involves the injection of a mild solution into the vein, causing it to collapse and eventually disappear completely from view. Blood is naturally rerouted through other healthy veins in the area, so the eliminated vein is never missed. The procedure is very successful and results in little discomfort or downtime for our patients.

How does the Procedure Work?

Sclerotherapy is performed right in our office and may only take a few minutes to complete, depending on the number of veins to be treated. Targeted veins are injected with a mild solution, using a very small needle. Patients may experience some mild cramping at the injection site during the procedure, which typically dissipates on its own within a minute or two. Discomfort is generally more pronounced with larger veins.

What is the Recovery Like?

After the procedure, the patient is fitted with compression stockings to reduce discomfort and promote healing. Stockings are generally worn for two to three days after the procedure. Most patients are allowed to resume regular activities directly after treatment, although strenuous exercise is prohibited for up to one week afterward. Patients may experience mild discomfort or swelling after their sclerotherapy sessions, which is usually managed with over the counter pain medications.

Are there Risks?

Because sclerotherapy is a relatively non-invasive procedure, there are few risks associated with treatment. These might include:

• Bruising, swelling or discomfort at the injection sites, which may last a day or two
• Temporary discoloration of the skin, which usually resolves itself within six months
• Larger veins treated with sclerotherapy may become hard and lumpy before dissolving

Are Results Permanent?

Because sclerotherapy permanently collapses the vein, it is considered a permanent solution for treating spider and varicose veins. However, some patients require additional sclerotherapy sessions to achieve desired results. If you fall into this category, your doctor will probably require anywhere from two to six sessions, spaced approximately one month apart to complete your spider vein treatment.

Sclerotherapy continues to be one of the most widely accepted methods of treating spider and varicose veins today. If you are ready to say goodbye to those unsightly red and purple lines, call our office today and find out if sclerotherapy is the right choice for you.

While these small varicose veins are generally not cause for concern, they do occasionally result in uncomfortable symptoms like swelling or a feeling of heaviness or achiness in the legs.

Causes of Spider Veins

There are many potential causes of spider veins, including:

• Heredity
• A job that requires excessive standing
• Significant weight gain
• Pregnancy
• Hormonal fluctuations

Some cardiovascular problems can also cause spider and varicose veins, so it is important to see your doctor to rule out more serious conditions. If you are concerned about your spider veins due to cosmetics or uncomfortable symptoms, we can help you find treatment solutions so you can say goodbye to your spider veins for good.

At Advanced Vein Clinics, we offer the following spider vein treatments:

Sclerotherapy

This procedure has been around for nearly a century and is still considered one of the most effective ways to treat spider and varicose veins. A saline solution is injected directly into the targeted veins, causing them to collapse and disappear from view.

Laser Treatments

One of the newer options in spider vein treatment, laser procedures use an intense beam of laser light to heat the vein and collapse it completely. The damaged vein is eventually reabsorbed by the body and blood is naturally rerouted through healthy veins in the area. Laser treatments are non-invasive, with few if any risks or downtime involved.

While any vein in the body can become varicose, the legs are the most common location due to the pressure exerted on those veins through standing and walking.

For the majority of people with varicose veins, the gnarled lines usually pose little more than a cosmetic concern. However, large varicose veins may also begin to cause discomfort and swelling in the lower legs and ankles. Some varicose vein sufferers may develop complications from their veins, including ulcerations or an increased risk of cardiovascular problems. If you are concerned about your varicose veins, there are plenty of options available to help you get rid of those problem veins for good.

At Advanced Vein Clinics, we offer a variety of treatments for varicose veins:

Danger Signals

In Most cases, leg problems do not occur just “out of the blue.” There are typical warning signs such as:

• Heavy, hot or tired legs.
• Feeling of tension, cramps, fatigue or stabbing of the calves.
• Swollen Ankles.
• First signs of varicose veins.

Causes and Risk Factors

• High-fat, low-fiber diet.
• Obesity.
• Lack of Exercise.
• Jobs requiring prolonged standing or sitting.
• Hereditary.
• Surgery or Trauma.
• Infectious disease.
• Pregnancy.
• Use of hormones, medications.
• Age over 40.

Description of Venous Problems

Chronic venous insufficiency is a condition in which the veins are constantly congested with pooled blood causing circulation to be significantly impaired. Symptoms include:

• Edema or swelling.
• Feeling of heaviness in the leg.
• Pain or cramps in the calves.
• Uncomfortable puffiness of the feet and ankles that subsides during the night.
• Skin discolorations.

Treatments

Endovenous Laser Treatments

These minimally invasive procedures use a thin laser fiber to collapse the vein so that it eventually disappears from view. Endovenous laser treatment is performed right in our office using a local anesthetic and patients experience little discomfort and downtime during and after the procedure.

Ambulatory Phlebectomy

Also known as vein stripping, this popular procedure is still the top choice for removing larger varicose veins. Tiny incisions do not require any stitching afterward and most patients are back to their regular activities as early as the next day.

Foam Sclerotherapy

This relative newcomer to varicose vein treatment is actually a new take on an old favorite. Instead of using the standard saline solution common in traditional sclerotherapy procedures, foam sclerotherapy uses a foam agent that is effective in treating larger varicose veins with simple injections and guided ultrasound.

Whether you want to remove your varicose veins for cosmetic reasons or to find relief from painful symptoms sometimes associated with the disorder, we can help you find the treatment option that is right for you at Advanced Vein Clinics.