Ask The Doctor

Q: Do men get varicose veins?

A: Yes, but varicose veins routinely occur 7-10 times more often in women. At The Vein Center & CosMed we have seen so many patents that our numbers coincide with those well documented numbers.


Q: Will my insurance pay for my vein treatment?

A: In many cases insurance companies as well as Medicare consider varicose vein treatment a covered procedure.


Q: My legs hurt all the time, but I just have spider veins. Is this normal?

A: Spider veins can very often be symptomatic.


Q: Do you use lasers to treat spider veins?

A: We use lasers for spider veins on the face, but there is no laser that is able to eliminate all of the various types of spider veins on the legs. We do have a specialized laser for certain types of spider veins.


Q: I have pain in my leg. Could I have a DVT?

A: Yes. Pain, especially in the calf, should be immediately evaluated by a physician. A special nonpainful, simple test can diagnose a DVT. The Vein Center & CosMed have all the necessary equipment to make the appropriate diagnose.


Q: What is a DVT?

A: DVT stands for Deep Vein Thrombosis. A DVT is a blood clot in a vein which lies deep inside a muscle. It usually occurs in a vein in the calf muscle. This is a serious medical condition that requires immediate attention. A DVT can be very serious.


Q: How many times will I have to have treatment before my veins go away?

A: This varies greatly from patient to patient depending on the severity of one's particular case. A correct diagnosis and evaluation is essential in order to help the patient be well informed before undertaking any treatment plan.


Q: My Mother has varicose veins, will I get them too?

A: I am sorry to say that varicose veins tend to run in families, so most likely you will get them too.


Q: What kind of recovery time will there be after treatment?

A: There is no recovery time after treatment.


Q: Another surgeon wants me to have my veins stripped...is that really necessary?

A: Vein stripping requires a hospital, a general anesthetic and leaves multiple scars. What is even worse is the discomfort which usually mandates a 4-6 weeks recovery. There can also be complications such as nerve damage and wound infections. We have not performed this procedure for 20 years. New laser procedures require none of the aforementioned problems. We have performed more that 750 of this new laser vein ablation with no complications.


Q: My friends say that these veins will just come back, so what's the use in having them treated?

A: When treated properly by an expert with vast experience , your veins will not come back.


Q: I am 30 years old and have terrible varicose veins. Should I wait until I am finished having my children before I have them fixed?

A: That is not necessary. Your veins will only get worse before your next pregnancy and it will take much longer to get rid of them afterwards. The sooner they are treated the less time it will take to get your legs looking and feeling great again.


Q: Can I continue to exercise after treatment?

A: Absolutely! No special activity instructions are ever required.


Q: Don't I need these veins?

A: All of the veins we are treating are abnormal. Therefore, they are not performing the function for which they were intended and are unnecessary. No one needs them.


Q: Why should I see a surgeon? Is that really necessary?

A: Diseases fall into categories. For example, if you had something wrong with your heart you would see a cardiologist because cardiologists are trained to take care of heart disease. You, therefore, would never consider seeing a dermatologist for heart disease. Diseases of the veins, and that includes all types of veins, are in the category of diseases best treated by a surgeon.


Q: There are so many places that offer spider vein treatment. How can I be certain that I will have appropriate treatment?

A: Some doctors are trying to improve their financial situation and are performing procedures which they are not trained. People think that treating veins is simple when, in fact, treating them correctly and safely is very difficult and requires skill and experience. Choose carefully when making any medical decision.


Q: Will have to wear support hose?

A: When undergoing sclerotherapy for the treatment of certain types of veins, compression of these veins is part of the treatment. However, at The Vein Center & CosMed the vast majority of patients do not require hose since we have developed other effective methods that are not uncomfortable. Most of our patients find these methods preferable to heavy support hose.


Q: I am terrified of needles, can I have laser instead?

A: We have seen well over 50,000 patients at The Vein Center & CosMed, and not one has ever said that they love needles. No matter how "needle phobic" one may be, no one has ever avoided treatment because of discomfort or fear. Lasers hurt and are not the painless device people imagine. The discomfort of lasers would be acceptable if they worked on spider veins on the legs. They don't in the vast majority of cases.


Q: What does board certified mean anyway?

A: There are only a handful of acceptable or recognized boards in the United States which bestow the title Board Certified to those doctors in a certain specialty who meet stringent criteria and testing. Patients should beware of such fictitious boards. Every accredited board, for example The American Board of Internal Medicine, or The American Board of Surgery etc have phone numbers and address, and physicians who are accredited by these boards are proud to provide contact information to the public. Doctors who are Board Certified have reached the pinnacle of their profession.


Q: What is sclerotherapy? Isn't laser better?

A: Abnormal veins come in different sizes, shapes and colors. They occur on different areas of the body. Depending on which variables are present dictates how that particular abnormal vein should be treated. Spider veins on the legs , for example, are best treated with sclerotherapy. This is unquestionably the "gold standard" of treatment. Tiny veins on the face are best treated with a laser since they are much too small to inject and a laser can be effective. Certain lasers work wonderfully on the face. Large budging varicose veins can be treated with an archaic operation called a vein stripping. A less deforming mode of treatment for varicose veins is the combination of using a special laser inside a vein along with sclerotherapy.


Q: I am on a diet, should I wait until I reach my goal weight to begin my treatment.

A: Weight has nothing to do with the success of treatment of vein disease.


Q: What do you use to inject into the vein?

A: There are number of sclerosing agents. Depending on the size, color, pattern and the physician's experience dictate which solution works best on one's patients particular problem. Sometimes several different solutions are used on the same patient.


Q: What can be done for those little broken blood vessels on my cheeks and nose?

A: Tiny blood vessels on the face are best treated with a laser specifically made to treat this problem. Not all lasers do the same thing, and there are many types of lasers. Be sure the one used is appropriate for your particular problem.