People who live in warm climates such as South Florida, often enjoy wearing bathing suits, shorts and skirts, but if you are a person who suffers from unsightly varicose veins, revealing your legs can be embarrassing.
Varicose veins are swollen, twisted, and enlarged veins that can be seen under the skin. They are often red or blue in color usually appearing in the legs, but can occur in other parts of the body. These veins are common and affect more women than men and they don't cause problems for most people. However, in some people, especially if left untreated, varicose veins can lead to serious conditions, such as leg swelling and pain, blood clots, and skin changes.
Risk Factors for Varicose Veins
- Family history of varicose veins
- Age (more common as you age)
- Gender (more common in women)
- Obesity or overweight
- Pregnancy
- History of blood clots in your legs
- Standing or sitting for long periods of time
Symptoms of Varicose Veins
• Aching or cramping leg pain
• Leg fatigue
• Feeling of heaviness or throbbing in the leg that worsens as the day progresses
The good news is you don’t have to suffer from these unsightly, painful varicose veins anymore. At South Florida Vascular Associates we offer an in-office, minimally invasive procedure called Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLT). EVLT is a reliable and simple way to treat varicose veins without painful surgery.
Watch our Video on EVLT
In the past, a patient would undergo a procedure called vein stripping, a very painful surgery with weeks of downtime. EVLT is a procedure that uses heat from a laser fiber beam to cauterize the inside of the of the vein wall. The energy from the laser then works to close the unhealthy vein and reduces the tension in the veins that appear on the surface of the skin. Once the problematic vein is permanently closed, the body then reroutes the blood to healthier veins returning the blood back to the heart.
Advantages of Endovenous Laser Ablation:
- Treatment typically takes less than one hour
- Provides immediate relief
- Avoidance of general anesthesia
- Minimized recovery period and immediate return to normal activities
- No scarring or stitches
- Lower rate of complication
- Higher success rate and durability of the procedure relative to surgery
If you are one of the many people who agonize over the discomfort of varicose veins we invite you to visit our office to consult with one of our board certified, endovascular surgeons. Dr. William Julien and Dr. Curtis Anderson have treated thousands of patients who have had life-altering experiences after having EVLT. It’s painless, easy to tolerate and it’s performed in the comfort of our office. Contact us today at 954-725-4141.
