I had EVLT 3 weeks ago. When I went for the 2-week follow-up, it showed that the vein was still open. My doctor said he needed to redo the procedure. I thought this was a one-time procedure, and am confused as to what my options are.
An EVLT is usually, 98% to 99% of [...]
Q: Can a laser effectively occlude an incompetent Sapheno-Femoral Junction? If it does, which modality is better: Diode or NdYag?
A: Technically, you do not want someone to occlude your saphenofemoral junction. The occlusion should extend to a short distance below the saphenofemoral junction. All of the LASERs in routine use for saphenous vein ablation work [...]
Q: Is it possible, ablating perforators by endovenous lasers?
A: Yes, Endovenous Lasers can be used to treat refluxing perforator veins. Insurance companies often times will not cover this treatment as they consider it too “experimental.” However, in some cases doing an appeal with your insurance company can result in coverage for this. At any rate, [...]
Q: Most youtube videos I have watched show only thigh veins being tackled by EVLT. No videos show leg veins or tortuous veins. Does this mean it is difficult to use lasers in these situations?
A: The ELVeS and EVLT are use primarily used to treat the saphenous veins from the mid-calf up to the thigh. Refluxing [...]
Q: How long after Sclerotherapy can you get in the sun?
A: The more you wait the better but the minimum is 6 weeks.
You should wait for the acute inflammation to go away, usually in 4-6 weeks, depending on the solution used, the size of the vein treated and you skin complexion. (Olive skin or dark [...]
Q: Will Varicose Veins reappear? Do I have them for life even after treatment?
A: Patients with varicose veins have a predisposition to forming varicose veins. Therefore, despite treatment, you will always be predisposed to having varicose veins. However, once a varicose vein has been removed or ablated by sclerotherapy or laser… it is gone! It [...]
Q: My compression stockings really hurt the back of my knees I cannot gt my compression stocking to not have wrinkles. These wrinkles gather around the back of my knee and really hurt. How do I overcome that?
A: The keys with compression stockings are that they fit properly and that they are worn. It seems [...]
Q: I have to wear a compression sock because I had a DVT and the valve in the vein that runs behind my knee is broken. I am still young and would like this fixed so I don’t have to wear the sock. Is there a procedure to fix this?
A: I strongly recommend that you continue [...]
Q: Is EVLT recommended for lipodermatosclerosis (LDS)?
A: Lipodermatosclerosis is a form of scarring due to venous insufficiency. It will not go away with the laser procedure but may improve if treamtent gets rid of the cause of your venous insufficiency.
- Dr. Wright
Q: It is the tool used to pull veins through microincisions. What are these called?
A: Phlebectomy hooks would be the general name for the tool. There are many types including Varaday, Ramelet, and Mueller to name a few.
- Dr. Wright
Q: Can you please detail some of the restrictions after an Endovenous Laser Ablation?
A: Normal activity should be ok, including walking, standing, and house chores. Activity can essentially be resumed right away. Rigorous exercise and heavy lifting (<20lbs) will need to be delayed by 1 week. Typically showering is ok immediately as well. I advise [...]
Q: Does it matter if I fly after a varicose vein surgery?
A: While there is no specific answer to this important question, the following guidelines should help: First, the question comes up because air travel is a known risk factor for the development of vein thrombosis and phlebitis. The concept is to minimize multiple risks [...]
Q: I just had Endovenous Laser Ablation and some of my bandages are blood soaked. Is this normal or is something wrong?
A: Some blood in the bandages is seen sometimes. It is not a serious or concerning complication for the great majority of patients. Compression for 5-10 min should take care of the problem. If [...]
Q: If I have problems with just one leg, can I wear one compression stocking on the affected leg?
A: You can wear stockings on both as a matter of fashion.
- Dr. Wright
Q: It’s been a year since my surgery and I still have brusing. Does that mean it is permanent?
A: Probably not. Most likely what you are seeing is not really bruising, but what we refer to as staining. This is a light brownish discoloration, which looks like a light bruise. This is caused from trapped [...]
