Looking for Proven, Effective Spider Vein Treatment in SD? Take This Vein Specialist’s Advice!
If you are reading this, you probably have spider veins – those pesky purplish interlacing streaks on your leg – and you are seeking out a great doctor to fix them. Well, before you get treated, follow the following points to ensure that you make a well-informed decision!
Fix your treatment goals before you fix a consultation
Before you meet a spider vein specialist, the first thing you need to do is figure out – what part of having spider veins really bothers you? This will help you figure out what you expect from treatment. Are you more worried about the esthetic aspect, and are you looking for a way to make your legs look better? Or are you more concerned about getting rid of painful symptoms, such as swollen feet and ankles? You should be prepared to discuss these concerns and treatment goals with your vein doctor at your first appointment.
Figure out your insurance coverage
While this may not look like your top priority, you might find it better to get it out of the way at the outset, so that you don’t have any unpleasant surprises later. In general, you are more likely to receive coverage if your spider vein issues are affecting your quality of life; for instance, if you are in pain, or have trouble walking long distances. If you want to get rid of your spider veins from merely an esthetic standpoint, however, not all insurance plans cover the costs.
The bottom line – insurance pays for you to ‘feel’ better, not ‘look’ better. If your priorities are largely cosmetic, you may find that insurance will not cover your procedures, and you may have to pay out of pocket. Many vein clinics, such as VTC in Long Island, have competent front office staff who can help you figure this out – at no cost to you – even before your first appointment.
Only spider veins? Get sclerotherapy.
If you do not have any symptoms, and your primary treatment goal is esthetic, you only need targeted treatment for your spider veins. The gold standard for treating spider veins is sclerotherapy. This technique involves injecting a harmless medicated solution directly into the offensive veins. The solution makes the walls of the veins tick to each other, sealing it off from blood flow. Over time, these non-functional veins are digested by the body and they disappear completely. Sclerotherapy injections are designed to match the size of your spider veins, and the tiny needles will hardly cause any discomfort.
Some clinics and spas may try to sell you on laser treatment as an alternative to sclerotherapy. Sure, laser doesn’t need needles – it’s just light shining through skin – and it may be more suited for sensitive body areas, like your face. But laser treatment is much less effective; you will need at least three to four sessions to achieve equivalent results to a single session of sclerotherapy.
More complex problems? Consider a vein ultrasound
Based on your symptoms, your vein doctor may order an ultrasound to rule out underlying vein disease. Spider veins – especially the ones that are symptomatic, are usually caused by an underlying vein condition called chronic venous insufficiency. In this disease, the parent vein of the leg fails to transport blood back to the heart in an efficient manner, causing blood to get backed up and damage the tinier veins of the leg. The pattern of reverse blood flow can generally be detected on the ultrasound. Depending on your ultrasound results, your vein specialist will determine the right combination of treatments that will match your treatment goals.
Get treated for chronic venous insufficiency first
If your vein doctor determines that you have chronic venous insufficiency, you need to get your parent veins treated before addressing your spider veins. Treating the main vein will stop the backflow of high pressure blood that is responsible for creating the spider veins in the first place. This will prevent new spider veins from forming once your sclerotherapy is complete, giving you more permanent results. Chronic venous insufficiency is usually treated by sealing off the parent vein, using minimally invasive vein treatment. The vein can be sealed off using:
- Heat: Radiofrequency ablation and Endovenous laser ablation
- Medicated glue: VenaSeal
- Sclerosant solution: this is delivered through a special catheter with a rotating tip, called ClariVein.
Get comprehensive vein assessment at Vein Treatment Clinic in San Diego
At our vein clinic in San Diego, our board certified vein doctors will give you a comprehensive assessment and, together with your medical issues and treatment goals, will help put together a tailored treatment plan just for you. You have the opportunity to consult with:
- Dr. Billy Schoenfeld: Harvard trained, board certified in anesthesiology and critical care relief, he is highly experienced in minimally invasive vein procedures.
- Dr. Carly Guthrie: Harvard trained. Double board certified interventional ultrasound expert
- Dr. Amanda Steinberger: Harvard trained, board certified interventional radiologist and vein specialist
- Dr. Jasmine Koo: Trained at Chicago Medical School, she is an expert diagnostic radiologist and vein disease specialist
The Vein Treatment Clinic in San Diego is located in La Jolla, near the Westfield UTC shopping center. You can schedule a consultation with any one of our vein specialists by calling 858-859-9634, or simply book an appointment online.
Book a Consultation
Scheduling a consultation with one of our vein treatment experts is one of the best ways to determine the proper resolution for your varicose veins. The treatments can include sclerotherapy, laser or radiofrequency ablation, a medication called Varithena, or procedures such as Venaseal, or Clarivein.
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