The two-year data show 93 to 95 percent success rate. This is a much higher efficacy rate than surgical ligation or stripping.

This minimally invasive treatment is an outpatient procedure performed using imaging guidance. After applying local anesthetic to the vein, the interventional radiologist inserts a thin catheter, about the size of a strand of spaghetti, into the vein and guides it up to the great saphenous vein in the thigh. Then laser or radiofrequency energy is applied to the inside vein. This heats the vein and seals the vein closed.

The treatment takes less then an hour and provides immediate relief of symptoms. You can return to normal activity immediately with little or no pain. There may be minor soreness or bruising, which can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers. There is no scar, because the procedure does not require a surgical incision, just a nick in the skin, about the size of a pencil tip.

Yes. Any medications you were prescribed solely for your tachycardia can be stopped if the ablation is successful. Of course, any pill you are taking for other conditions like high blood pressure or angina would need to be continued and maybe even adjusted.

Patients may experience sensations of flip flops, heart pounding or a fluttering sensation after an ablation and this is considered perfectly normal. If a person finds that their heart is racing and they feel that it is the same problem as before the ablation, we ask that people go to their nearest walk-in clinic, Emergency Department or family doctor’s office to get an electrocardiogram recording of their palpitations.

A few. We request that patients limit activities that require contraction of the abdominal muscles because that causes an increase in venous pressure in the legs for 7-10 days. Such activities include jogging, heavy lifting, sit-ups, crunches and excessive stair climbing. Since we want the treated vein to close, we want to subject it to as little pressure as possible till it has a chance to heal. Walking is encouraged. You'll be back to your more strenuous activities in ten days to two weeks.

In most cases, yes. Also, remember, there are no separate hospital or anesthesiologist charges to pay because these procedures are done in our office. One of our services is to obtain pre-certification from your insurance company. Usually no, because they consider sclerotherapy to be a cosmetic procedure (ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy can often be an exception to this rule).

This is a procedure done at the surgery center to help control or stop abnormal bleeding or heavy periods. It is a painless and quick procedure done while you are asleep for 15 minutes. You can go home in 1 - 2 hours after the procedure and resume normal activity the next day. You cannot attempt pregnancy after this procedure is done. This is a simple option to alleviate abnormal bleeding and/or heavy periods without needing a hysterectomy!

Just about anyone. Heredity plays the biggest role. 10% of men and 50% of women totaling over 80 million Americans are affected. As might be expected, any condition that puts strain on flow of blood from the legs toward the heart can aggravate the condition. This includes, but is not limited to pregnancy, standing for long periods, obesity, and extended sitting. For each individual, it is important to accurately identify the cause of their particular situation.

Endovenous Laser Ablation Treatment is a treatment alternative to surgical stripping of the greater saphenous vein. A small laser fiber is inserted, usually through a needle stick in the skin, into the damaged vein. Pulses of laser light are delivered inside the vein, which causes the vein to collapse and seal shut. The procedure is done in-office under local anesthesia. Following the procedure a bandage or compression hose is placed on the treated leg.

ablation is a way to stop fast heart beats by interrupting an electrical short circuit. This allows the heart to beat at a regular, slower rate. An electrophysiologic study (EPS) must be done (refer to Learning for Life EPS) to determine the location of the abnormality in the heart's electrical system. Radio frequency (RF) ablation will be attempted during the first EPS or during a separate session.

Sometimes it's easy to determine what causes the veins to develop. The known factors include heredity, pregnancy, female hormones (especially progesterone), obesity, and standing all day at work (hairdresser, sales, etc.) Often we don't have a clue. Varicose veins develop more frequently on the left for reasons unknown.

Theoretically anyone can get a DVT after any surgical procedure. However, the risk of DVT after EVLT is very low (less than 1 in 400).

After the procedure, a compression stocking should be applied that cannot be removed except on your follow-up visits. Cast protectors can be purchased to cover the stocking and allow you to shower. No limitations are placed on normal activities with your stocking in place. On occasion, temporary skin pigmentation changes may occur following sclerotherapy. Limited sun exposure or use of 30 SPF sunscreen is advised until this staining resolves.

Laser vein removal is not painful. It has been described as "a gentle burning sensation along the vein followed by a sharp pinch at the end" as the vein is sealed.

In addition to their embarrassing, unsightly appearance, symptoms can include burning, itching, pain, leg fatigue and heaviness, throbbing, swelling, muscle cramps, even ankle sores and bleeding. Unfortunately, many physicians do not recognize vein problems as the cause of many of these symptoms.

Many physicians in different specialties practice Sclerotherapy. An experienced physician with a full time commitment to vein treatment is preferable. You are assured of better results. Ask to see Before and After photos of your doctors’ work on problems similar to yours.

Shut your eyes while you are standing, and feel your legs. If you cannot feel the veins, you have a spider vein problem. If you can feel the veins, and they push in easily but bounce right back out, you have varicose veins.

After several treatments, most patients can expect an 80 percent or better improvement. However, fading is gradual. Total disappearance of spider veins is usually achieved.

In clinical trials, treatments similar to The FreedomFromAlcohol Method approach have been shown to significantly reduce craving and drinking. In a survey of 147 patients from the first ContrAl Clinic in Finland (see the link to ContrAl.com website), nearly four out of five patients (78%) successfully reduced their drinking below a level of increased risk for mortality and morbidity. Many halved their alcohol consumption from what it was prior to treatment.