Vanguard Vein Center

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Questions and Answers...

Our doctors and staff understand that patients have many questions regarding their condition and treatment. We are happy to spend as much time as you need to feel comfortable with your treatment options. We encourage you to contact us for more information or if you have any questions at any time during the course of your evaluation and treatment.

The following is a list of commonly asked questions related to endovenous laser ablation:

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 will have a local anesthesia (lidocaine, like at the dentist) and we may use a mild sedative.

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 Vanguard Vein Center?
Unlike other vein doctors, our physicians are a unique group of board-certified vascular specialists who are dedicated to comprehensive, non-surgical management of all vein problems. 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.