What causes varicose veins?
Varicose
veins occur for a number of reasons including age, prior pregnancy, weight
gain, hereditary factors and prolonged periods of standing.
Is endovenous laser ablation effective?
Yes.
Five year results in thousands of patients have demonstrated that this
procedure is more effective than traditional vein stripping and successful
in >90% of patients.
How does saphenous laser ablation work?
Thermal energy
is delivered to the vein wall and this causes the leaking, diseased vein to
close off so it does not continue to leak blood into the varicose veins.
Are patients satisfied?
More
than 95% of patients have been satisfied in the short term as well as
the long term.
Is this covered by insurance?
Most insurance companies cover endovenous laser procedures and phlebectomy if needed, the same as any other outpatient procedure (less your deductible) if you have pain and have attempted medical management (compression stockings, weight control and elevation) for 3-6 months sometime in the past.
Does this require hospitalization?
No,
this is an office procedure and takes about 1 hour. You have the option
for local anesthesia alone (lidocaine like at the dentist) or can have
anesthesia if you are very anxious.
Are other treatments necessary?
You
may still require sclerotherapy or tiny incisions to remove additional
varicose veins after this procedure. We will also do an ultrasound several
days after the procedure to check the status of the treated vein.
Does it hurt?
Some patients are more sensitive than others but few really complain of significant pain during or after the procedure. Patients typically describe an aching, burning or pulling sensation.
How long is the recovery period?
We
encourage walking the same day and return to normal activities the next
day. You should delay strenuous exercise for one week.
What is the difference between the laser procedure and radiofrequency
ablation (CLOSURE procedure)?
Both
procedures are FDA-approved, non-surgical methods of treating varicose
veins. They are very similar in terms of how you are treated and what
you will experience. The results for both procedures are excellent and
this becomes a physician preference. The main difference is in the type
of energy delivered by the catheter. One procedure is not proven better
than the other
Does loss of this vein cause problems with drainage of the
leg?
No. An incompetent saphenous vein is essentially a non-functioning vein and blood that would have flowed through the vein has already been diverted into other healthy veins to drain the leg.
Why should I choose The Vein Center at Savannah Vascular
Institute?
Unlike other vein doctors, our physicians are a unique group of all board-certified vascular specialists who are dedicated to comprehensive, non-surgical management of all vein problems. We have a very broad training from prestigious institutions around the world and have treated thousands of patients with venous disorders. The doctors and our staff will make you feel very comfortable and well cared for throughout your evaluation and treatment. If you do seek treatment elsewhere, make sure your physician has specific training as a Vascular Surgeon so you can be sure he has expertise in all aspects of the diagnosis and management of your circulation problems.
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