What to Expect When Visiting a Vein Surgeon

Blog Author September 14, 2015

Vascular Surgery

Abnormal veins become more common as we age. In fact, up to one half of all people over 50 years of age in the U.S. have varicose veins. If you are one of the millions who struggle with the symptoms of abnormal veins on a daily basis, it may be time to call a vein surgeon.

Is it Time to Make an Appointment?

For most people, the first symptom of abnormal veins is a change in the way your veins look. For example, if you have developed varicose veins, you may notice large, gnarled blood vessels raised above the surface of the skin on your legs. On the other hand, if you are suffering from spider veins, you may see smaller, twisted vessels under the surface of the skin. Keep in mind that it is possible to have both varicose veins and spider veins at the same time. In addition, severe cases of varicose veins may cause physical symptoms, such as pain, heaviness, burning and swelling. Minor cases of abnormal veins may respond to conservative treatments, such as weight loss, wearing compression stockings, elevating your legs or increasing your physical activity. However, if these treatments don’t alleviate your condition, you should make an appointment with a vascular surgeon for assistance.

What to Expect at Your Appointment

At your first appointment with a vein doctor, the doctor will examine your abnormal veins. If you have abnormal veins on your legs, be sure to wear loose fitting clothing that will move out of the way easily during the exam. If you have abnormal veins on your face, don’t wear any makeup or lotion that could obstruct the doctor’s view. After performing the exam, the doctor will ask questions about your medical history, lifestyle and symptoms. Using all of the information he or she has collected, your doctor will then diagnose your condition and recommend various treatment options. Some of the available treatment options may include:

Continuing conservative treatments.
Sclerotherapy
Ultrasound Guided Chemical Ablation
Ambulatory Phlebectomy

Once your doctor has explained your treatment options and made his or her recommendations, he or she will help you develop a treatment plan. If your treatment plan includes a surgical procedure, you can typically schedule it at the end of this appointment.

Seeking Vein Treatment

If you are interested in making an appointment with a vascular surgeon, contact the Kimmel Institute today to schedule your first consultation.

Our Blog