You don’t need surgery to get rid of varicose veins
For years, people who suffer from varicose veins have been wishing those words were true. And now, thanks to dramatic advances in the use of medical lasers, they are. It’s a new procedure being offered by St. Joseph’s Hospital that’s proven to get excellent results without the pain and lengthy recovery of surgical “vein stripping.”

Varicose Veins Explained
Your veins carry blood from the capillaries to the heart. In your leg, this means the blood has to flow upward, against gravity. Consequently, these veins have one-way valves to prevent the blood from backflowing. Over time, these valves can fail to close tightly, allowing blood to pool and causing the bulging and twisting characteristic of varicose veins. 

If you’ve been living with the pain and selfconsciousness of varicose veins, the following Questions and Answers may offer new hope about this non-surgical treatment:

How is a laser procedure different from surgery?
Surgery involves considerable preparation, general anesthesia, the risk of infection, pain
in the affected areas and a lengthy recovery period. Our new medical laser technology
eliminates all of that. First, it’s “minimally invasive,” meaning the entry point through which your physician gets the laser fiber to the target area is extremely small, not even requiring stitches.

Second, there is really no “recovery” time. In fact, you’ll be up and walking as soon as it’s
over, able to return to full normal activity. Third, the risk of infection is extremely low. And lastly, it involves minimal discomfort.

Exactly how does a laser treat varicose veins?
Laser technology fixes the problem at the source by delivering just the right wavelength of laser energy to just the right tissue, causing the incompetent vein to close while your body automatically routes the blood to other healthy veins.

What is the actual procedure like?
It takes about 45 minutes and requires just local anesthesia. Your physician inserts a thin laser fiber into the vein through a sheath. The laser light is emitted through the fiber. While you may feel an unfamiliar sensation, it isn’t painful.

I’ve heard about lasers being used in medicine, but I’m not sure how they work. Are they safe?
Simply put, a laser is a highly concentrated beam of light. Medical lasers work by delivering this light energy to the targeted tissue with extreme precision so as not to affect the surrounding tissue. They’ve proven their safety and effectiveness through years of use in all kinds of medical procedures - fom ophthalmology to dermatology. In the hands of a skilled physician like those at St. Joseph’s, lasers offer far less risk and complications than conventional surgery.

How long before I see the results?
There may be some slight swelling right after the procedure, but you could start seeing results immediately.

Will the results last?
This procedure has proved to be 97% effective - an outstanding record of success.
You should experience no reoccurrence in the veins that have been treated. Follow-up
procedures may be needed to obtain optimal aesthetic results.

Will my insurance cover it?
Call your insurance provider to find out whether this procedure is covered.

As you can see, the news is all good––No surgery, no downtime, no varicose veins. Ask your physician to find out if endovascular laser treatment for your varicose veins is right for you. If you would like to schedule an appointment or speak with an interventional radiologist regarding this laser procedure, please call (813) 870-4984.