FAQs

How do I know if I have vein disease?

Bulging veins, discolored skin in the lower legs, swelling, ulceration, spider veins, or symptoms such as aching and heaviness of the legs, are all signs and symptoms of vein disease and should be investigated.

Is the consultation for vein disease covered by my health insurance?

Our consultation fee is covered by most insurance plans, with only a small co-payment typically required. If you do not have insurance, the consultation fee ranges from $50 to $150, depending on the time involved and the complexity of the problem.  There may be an additional charge for an ultrasound exam, if needed to fully evaluate your vein problem.

If my treatment requires a laser or radiofrequency closure, how long does the procedure take?

On average, vein closure procedures for vein treatment take 45-60 minutes, though you should expect to spend a total of two hours with us on the day of your procedure, including pre-treatment and post-treatment time.

Is the vein surgery painful?

In our experience, most patients report little pain with the procedure.  Vein closure and microphlebectomy (vein removal) procedures are done with local anesthesia to the surgical site, similar to having a dental procedure.

If I require vein closure how long will I be out of work?

With rare exceptions, our patients are able to return to work in one or two days.  You will need to avoid lifting and strenuous physical activity for seven days following vein surgery.

Will I always have to wear support hose?

Compression support hose is required during waking hours (YOU DO NOT WEAR THEM WHEN SLEEPING) for seven days following vein surgery.  Once the vein disease is completely treated you usually will not require compression hose.

Once my vein disease is treated, can it continue to be a problem?

Genetics (family history of vein disease), lifestyle, and occupation all contribute to the development of vein disease.  Once your diseased veins are treated, you may still develop changes in other veins over time.  These changes generally occur slowly, but sometimes lead to the need for further treatment.  For this reason if you have significant vein disease treated we recommend yearly follow up exams to prevent problems, or find the problems early when they are easily corrected.

I have high blood pressure. Can I still have vein treatment?

As long as your high blood pressure is well controlled with medication we can safely proceed with vein treatment.

Do I have to go to the hospital or outpatient surgery center for treatment?

All vein procedures are done in the office with local anesthesia called tumescent, which is safe and very effective at eliminating discomfort with these procedures.  Also, this type of anesthesia allows you to drive afterward, and does not require fasting before the procedure.

Does my age determine whether or not I can have vein surgery?

There is no age limit for having your veins treated.  Since the procedures carry very little risk, many older patients can safely have their veins treated.  The decision to treat depends much more on the symptoms and the general health of the patient, than the age.

If I have the abnormal veins treated, how does this affect my circulation?

Eliminating the abnormal veins actually improves the circulation in your leg.  In addition, treating the problem veins reduces your risk of blood clots and more serious problems.

Can I return to exercise immediately after vein surgery?

Most vein treatment procedures require that you avoid lifting and strenuous physical activity for seven days.  This restriction includes lifting weights and most exercises you do in the gym.  The exception to this requirement is walking, and we strongly encourage walking immediately following all procedures done to treat your vein disease.

What should I expect after surgery for my vein disease?

You can return to normal daily activities immediately.  Almost all patients do well with non-narcotic pain relievers such as Tylenol or Motrin.  Some mild soreness is expected.  Bruising is often present and is gone by about two weeks.  Some tenderness may persist for four to six weeks.

Does my insurance cover vein treatment?

Unless your insurance plan excludes vein treatment of any kind (unusual), the coverage is based on symptoms and the severity of your vein disease.  We submit our findings to your insurance company prior to treatment, and inform you of expected payments that will be your responsibility before treatment.   Small veins in the skin commonly called spider veins are not covered by insurance, but are effectively treated with cosmetic injections.

What is phlebology?

Phlebology is a medical specialty that deals with the study and treatment of varicose veins and other vein diseases.