TWe take a detailed history and perform a physical exam of your legs. If indicated, you will have an ultrasound of your legs. The ultrasound is done both lying down to image the deep veins and standing up to evaluate the superficial veins. We are looking for veins with faulty valves. When you stand, this vein allows blood to rush back towards your feet. This is venous insufficiency or venous reflux disease. This backwards flowing vein is the vein we treat. It is easily identified on ultrasound. We will discuss the results of our examinations and create a plan to treat your particular problem.
Both the initial evaluation and treatment procedures are done in our offices.
We will schedule a treatment date for the vein ablation or closure procedure. Follow-up visits will occur within one week of procedure, and then again at six weeks and six months after completion of procedures.
We are treating the underlying source of the varicose veins.
No. There are many large, normal veins in the deep venous system which take over for the vein which is closed. We evaluate the deep venous system on your first office visit to be sure it is functioning properly.
There will be a small nick in your skin at the catheter insertion site. Some bruising may appear along the area.
There is no need for general anesthesia or intravenous sedation. The only discomfort you feel during the procedure is from the tiny needles used to inject lidocaine, a local anesthetic, in the skin and around the veins we are treating. If you need something for anxiety, please discuss prior to procedure.
Yes. If you are on other anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications, such as Plavix or Eliquis, you will be given specific instructions on the uses of these medications before your procedure.
You may feel tightness, pulling or tethering sensations in your leg where the vein was sealed and mild tenderness like bruising. This is easily managed with medications like Tylenol or Motrin.
No. You will leave our office within 15 minutes after the procedure is finished.
For the first 7 days after your procedure, you should observe the following instructions. Avoid heavy lifting or straining, limit lifting to less than 20 pounds. Avoid pounding or strenuous exercise. Walking is the best exercise and we encourage walking 5 – 10 minutes every hour while awake and 30 – 60 minutes of walking a day. The more you walk the better. Do not sit or stand in one place for more than an hour at a time. Avoid air travel or long car trips for two weeks after your procedure. No swimming or tub baths for one week after the procedure, showers only.
Wearing the compression stockings helps keep the treated vein from re-opening and reduces inflammation and swelling.
You will wear the compression stockings daily for 4 weeks after your procedure. Typically, you will remove the stockings for bathing and at night while you sleep. Some procedures like Varithena and sclerotherapy require you to wear the stocking day and night for 7 days after the procedure, removing for bathing only. You will be given specific instructions following your procedure.
Some patients choose to go back to work the same day. As long as you are able to follow the activity restrictions of no heavy lifting for 7 days after the procedure, and sustained walking for 5 – 10 minutes every hour while awake. No prolonged sitting or standing for 7 days post procedure.
The Heart Institute of East Texas participates in most health insurance plans, including Medicaid. Most medical insurance policies cover vein procedures if you have symptoms. Our office obtains prior authorization from your insurance company before your procedure is performed. Insurance companies do not cover treatment of veins for cosmetic purposes. Your deductible of copay as contracted between you and your insurance will apply.
You may be sore and bruised in the treated areas after the procedure. Firm areas may appear in the leg and be slightly red or tender as vein close down and they become inflamed. Using compression stockings and Advil, Motrin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Aleve or Tylenol will improve these symptoms. You will be provided with detailed instructions after your procedure.
The radiofrequency ablation procedure does not remove the refluxing vein from the leg, it simply causes the vein to collapse in place. The body then reabsorbs the vein. It is much less traumatic to the leg tissue than surgery. No general anesthesia is required. Recovery time is significantly less than with surgery, and there are no significant scars.
The success rate is 92% after five years.