Vascular Vein Centers FAQs
Have a Question? Click Here Use our FAQs to get fast answers to your varicose vein health questions. We have assembled the most common questions we receive and used them to create this resource.
What is the difference between endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) and radio frequency ablation (RFA)?
Category: General Leg Health and Treatment
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What is the difference between endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) and radio frequency ablation (RFA)?
The difference you see when comparing EVLT vs. RFA is the type of energy used. When we compare EVLT vs. radio frequency ablation, we see that EVLT uses the light of laser, while VNUS uses radiofrequency ablation (RFA), which is basically electrical energy. Overall, they both work very well.
Category: General Leg Health and Treatment
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Why do varicose veins develop during pregnancy?
Category: Misc
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Why do varicose veins develop during pregnancy?
Some women develop spider veins and varicose vein while pregnant due to the change in hormone levels, increase of fluid (50%) and weight gain. In addition to the increase in volume and pressure, the baby may be adding pressure to the larger veins in the groin area, contributing to the problem of pregnancy veins legs and feet struggle to support.
Category: Misc
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What is the benefit of EVLT or laser treatment for my veins, instead of surgery?
Category: General Leg Health and Treatment
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What is the benefit of EVLT or laser treatment for my veins, instead of surgery?
EVLT or endovenous laser therapy for your veins is a wonderful alternative to the previous “Surgical Stripping”. Surgical stripping was a surgical procedure that requires general anesthesia and a long recovery. Since 2000, vein therapy has changed to minimally invasive. These procedures are completed in the clinic setting under local anesthesia. Normal activities can be resumed the next day. This procedure is tried and true- with a 95% success rate.
Category: General Leg Health and Treatment
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I have had spider treatments in the past, but am now experiencing new spiders in the same spot and my legs are achy, could I have a deeper vein problem?
Category: General Leg Health and Treatment
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I have had spider treatments in the past, but am now experiencing new spiders in the same spot and my legs are achy, could I have a deeper vein problem?
Yes, you could have a deeper problem. Often times, when spider veins reoccur in the same area, there is a deeper vein that is still functional and contributing to additional spider veins. A complete examination, including using a vein light and perhaps an ultrasound is necessary to ensure your success.
Category: General Leg Health and Treatment
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How long do I need to stay out of work after a procedure?
Category: What to Expect?
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How long do I need to stay out of work after a procedure?
It depends on your procedure. For most procedures you can return to work right away. For the laser procedure you can return to work the next day.
Category: What to Expect?
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Does insurance cover my vein procedures?
Category: Insurance
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Does insurance cover my vein procedures?
All major insurance companies recognize vein problems as a medical condition. Depending upon your policy and your physical signs and symptoms, your vein procedures may be a covered benefit.
VVC has a full time authorizations department who will assist you in understanding your insurance benefits and will verify your coverage and benefits
Category: Insurance
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What causes vein disease?
Category: Misc
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What causes vein disease?
Vein disease occurs when veins have trouble carrying blood from your legs back to your heart. Healthy veins have one-way valves to ensure blood flows in one direction, toward the heart. When valves fail or leak, the blood flows backward, causing a reflux of blood that pools in the veins. The increased pressure from the pooling of the blood stretches the vein, which can result in varicose veins.
Category: Misc
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How do I download a medical release form?
Category: What to Expect?
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How do I download a medical release form?
Please go to our website- in the footer go to Patient Forms. and it will give you the option to print the New Patient Form (in English or Spanish) and Medical Release Form. Please print out, sign and fax to the VVC office where you will have had your visits.
Thanks!
Category: What to Expect?
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Which is more effective; sclerotherapy or laser vein therapy?
Category: General Leg Health and Treatment
34
Which is more effective; sclerotherapy or laser vein therapy?
Both of these treatments are effective and used in different situations. The overall laser vein therapy purpose is to act as the primary treatment of varicose veins caused by reflux (backflow) from the saphenous veins. The sclerotherapy purpose is to treat branch veins after laser therapy.
Category: General Leg Health and Treatment
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I had a spider vein treatment (found on groupon). Spiders are now reoccurring. Can you help me with this problem?
Category: What to Expect?
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I had a spider vein treatment (found on groupon). Spiders are now reoccurring. Can you help me with this problem?
Yes! One common problem with spider vein treatment is that the provider does not look at the “complete” picture before providing treatment. Often a laser or injection is used on the skin to rid of the veins “you see”, only to have a deeper vein attached to that web of spiders. More spider veins occur in that area because the source of the problem is not eliminated. A comprehensive approach using a vein light and/or having a diagnostic ultrasound scan is important to get a clearer picture and to create a treatment plan customized for your needs. Common areas of spiders can also indicate a deeper vein issue- the most common areas being the outer thighs and the back of the knee.
Category: What to Expect?
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For spider veins, which is more effective, the laser or vein injections?
Category: General Leg Health and Treatment
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For spider veins, which is more effective, the laser or vein injections?
When deciding between lasers vs. vein injections, we find that injecting of the sclerosant works better for spider veins than the laser. Laser therapy is reserved for smaller veins.
Category: General Leg Health and Treatment
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What is the difference between a varicose vein and a spider vein?
Category: General Leg Health and Treatment
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What is the difference between a varicose vein and a spider vein?
A varicose vein is a general term used to describe veins that are enlarged with leaky valves. They are usually described as bulging and rope like. These veins have become permanently dilated so that they no longer work effectively. Spider veins (also called telangiectasia) are small superficial blood vessels in the skin. They often appear like a “web” and most commonly appear on the inner and outer thighs. Unlike varicose veins, spider veins do not have valves. While considered cosmetic, certain patterns of spider veins may indicate an underlying vein disorder.
Category: General Leg Health and Treatment
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My doctor said I have lymphedema to my lower legs and suggested that I have a vein work-up, do you treat patients with this condition?
Category: General Leg Health and Treatment
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My doctor said I have lymphedema to my lower legs and suggested that I have a vein work-up, do you treat patients with this condition?
Yes, we do! Damage to the lymphatics can occur due to the constant pressure caused by venous disease. Your lymphedema practioner and vein specialist will work together to control your vein problem and provide thereapy to help control your lymphedema and regain as much function as possible. Vascular Vein Centers has a lymphedema therapist in-house who will work directly with you.
Category: General Leg Health and Treatment
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My mother and father had varicose veins, does this mean that I am more susceptible?
Category: General Leg Health and Treatment
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My mother and father had varicose veins, does this mean that I am more susceptible?
Yes, unfortunately you are at a higher risk. Other risk factors for vein disease include: Pregnancy, Being overweight, prolonged standing or sitting on a daily basis, Hormonal factors, Advancing age, or a problem with blood clots in the superficial or deep vein system. Fortunately, there are preventative things that you can do to help decrease this risk! Visit our website section on compression stockings to receive some leg health tips.
Category: General Leg Health and Treatment
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What happens to my circulation when you close my veins down?
Category: Misc
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What happens to my circulation when you close my veins down?
Varicose veins occur in the superficial system of the venous circulation. These are the veins that you can usually see or feel. These veins are stretched and / or torturous and cannot do their job properly. By eliminating these veins, your circulation is rerouted to healthy veins and will actually increase your circulation and decrease the discomfort that you may feel.
Category: Misc
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— Donald B, Orlando
