What causes varicose veins?
Varicose veins are twisted and enlarged veins near the surface of the skin that most often occur in the legs and ankles. There can be many factors, including age, heredity, hormones or pregnancy in women. Obesity increases pressure on vein walls as does having a job that requires standing. Having clots in the past can cause damage to the valves and result in the development of varicose veins.

Will I have to return for more treatment?
Varicose veins and spider veins are chronic and recurrent conditions. The treatments available will not offer a cure, but rather control the condition. Surgically removed veins cannot recur; veins that are sclerosed will not return. Your personal tendency toward developing new veins will not be relieved by this or any other form of treatment. Our goal is to provide the most effective and complete treatment available, and we hope that this will result in long term control of your venous disease.

How much will this treatment help my specific problem?
Successful treatment will result in relief of most, if not all, symptoms, and will result in significant improvement in the appearance of the legs. Some residual discoloration and lumpiness may persist.

How much pain will there be after the treatment?
Following laser treatment, there frequently is some bruising and tenderness along the treated segment that typically resolves in 1-2 weeks. For 1-2 months, some patients experience a tightness or pulling along the treated segment as the vein scars down. Many patients have no significant discomfort.
Following phlebectomy, there is typically bruising at the phlebotomy sites, which may be unsightly, but resolve significantly over 1-2 weeks, with up to 2 months to resolve completely. Usually there is not a lot of pain or tenderness.

How many treatments will it take?
Some patients will require only a single session, but all patients will be brought back for follow-up at the Vein Clinic in two to three days, and again in four to six weeks, to evaluate for potential complications and to judge the effectiveness of the therapy. Many patients, with extensive varicosities and/or persistent symptoms, may require additional therapy (typically sclerotherapy) to achieve a satisfactory result. If residual abnormal veins are left in place, they will tend to recruit more abnormal flow and this can lead to an early recurrence of the varicosities.
As many patients have said to us, it takes years to develop the problems, and one or more additional simple treatments are well worth the result.

Will insurance pay for the treatment?
Most insurance companies will cover treatment of venous insufficiency and varicose veins, based on medical necessity for symptom relief, if provided with adequate documentation (i.e. history and physical, ultrasound results). Many also require a trial of conservative care, typically with compression stockings. Our staff will explain the process to you, and help you navigate through the process with your insurance company.

What causes my Spider Veins?
Spider veins are small varicose veins that have a bluish, weblike appearance. Spider veins do not usually cause symptoms, although some people may feel mild itching or burning. The common contributing factors are age, heredity, hormones or pregnancy in women.

Will I have to return for more treatment?
Spider veins are chronic and potentially recurrent conditions. The treatments available will not offer a cure, but rather control the condition. However, your personal tendency toward developing new veins will not be relieved by this or any other form of treatment. Most patients will require only one or two treatment sessions, but occasionally patients with extensive spider veins will need several sessions.

How much will this treatment help my specific problem?
Successful treatment will result in significant improvement in the appearance of the legs. Some residual minimal discoloration may persist.

How much pain will there be after the treatment?
Immediately following the sclerotherapy session, there will be some redness and itchiness, but this usually resolves in 30 to 120 minutes. After this there are few symptoms, but it will take up to a month to see the full effect of the treatment. Patients are asked to wear compression stockings for the first 24 hours, and then to wear the stockings during the day for an additional 3 to 5 days.

Will insurance pay for the treatment?
Generally, no. Spider veins are felt to be a cosmetic problem by the insurance carriers, although they occasionally can be painful.