Varicose Vein Therapy

Varicose veins, dilatation of the veins of the legs, usually occur on the thighs, legs, and around the knees. Although no one knows exactly the cause, they often run in families and occur in individuals whose occupation or lifestyle requires prolonged standing. Although usually asymptomatic, these may become painful.. There are several techniques to remove these unsightly lesions. Laser therapy, while successful for smaller spider veins, has not been as successful for the treatment of the larger varicose veins. 

The traditional method of treating varicose veins has been to inject them with a sclerosant such as hypertonic saline (concentrated salt water) or a chemical called polydoconol. The sclerosant is injected through a very fine needle into the lumen of the vein. This causes such irritation of the walls of the veins that they heal closed. These veins are then gone forever. However, this treatment does not prevent future spider veins from appearing. For varicose veins that do not respond to injection therapy, other alternatives include surgical removal of the individual veins.

If you are troubled by the appearance of varicose veins in your legs, you may be a good candidate for varicose vein injection therapy. This page will give you a basic understanding of the procedure and the results you can expect. However, Dr. Revis feels it is extremely important to individualize treatment to your specific circumstances and goals, therefore it is recommended that you visit our office for a complimentary consultation. You are also invited to email Dr. Revis with your questions, or we will mail you more detailed information regarding the procedure.

The Consultation

During your initial consultation, Dr. Revis will inquire about your medical history, prior procedures, medications, allergies, and your motivations for seeking plastic surgery. It is very important that you be thorough when providing your medical history, as this information helps to prevent complications during your care. When asked about medications, be sure to include any vitamin or herbal preparations, as these can affect your blood pressure and clotting ability. Honesty regarding your use of tobacco and alcohol is also very important, as these may have a profound impact on your recovery period and your ability to heal following your procedure.

After reviewing your medical history, Dr. Revis will discuss your concerns, priorities and motivations for pursuing plastic surgery, as well as your fears. After examining you, Dr. Revis will be able to offer advice and options to help you achieve the appearance you desire. He will explain the advantages and disadvantages of the different options you have before you. 

At the completion of your consultation, Suzanne, our Patient Coordinator, will give you a written estimate of the cost of your procedure. At this time, you will also have the option to schedule your procedure if you so choose. The decision to undergo treatment is a very important one, and the final decision should be given very careful consideration. Dr. Revis realizes the importance of this decision, and at no time will you be pressured to make a decision. You are also encouraged to bring your spouse, significant other, family member, or a friend to your consultation.

                                   Frequently Asked Questions

How painful are the injections for varicose veins?

Minor discomfort is experienced when the very fine needle is placed into the vein. A mild burning sensation may be felt as the sclerosant is injected into the vein.

The procedure is performed in Dr. Revis’ office.

After the procedure, Dr. Revis will bandage your legs from toe to thigh. You should plan to elevate your legs for the remainder of the day of treatment. The next day, you may remove the original bandage, bathe, and reapply a compression garment to your legs. This helps keep the veins collapsed as they heal closed. You should wear this garment at all times for the first week.

Multiple treatments are sometimes necessary for larger veins. Small varicosities are usually gone after one treatment.

Dr. Revis requires at least three weeks between sessions for healing to occur. At this point, results may be accurately assessed from the previous session. 

If injection therapy is not successful, what is involved with the surgical removal of varicose veins?

If after several treatments your varicose veins are not significantly improved or gone, Dr. Revis may recommend their surgical removal. This involves numbing the skin over the vein(s) with a local anesthetic followed by a tiny incision. Through the incision Dr. Revis works to carefully remove the dilated veins without injuring any of the surrounding skin or other structures.

At the completion of the procedure very fine sutures are placed to close the skin, and your legs will be wrapped as they are following an injection treatment.

Please call (954) 630-2009 for further information or email Dr. Revis.

Email: DrRevis@SouthFloridaPlasticSurgery.com