Call for An Appointment
- Beaumont 409.924.8600
- Corpus Christi 361.882.4000
Call for An Appointment
- Beaumont 409.924.8600
- Corpus Christi 361.882.4000
Varicose veins are enlarged veins that often bulge at the surface of the skin. They are more dilated than spider veins or reticular veins and often look like twisted ropes with purple or blue coloration. Varicose veins are not only unsightly but can be an indication of a more serious health problem.
VasCare is a trusted, experienced provider of varicose vein treatment. We achieve lasting results through minimally invasive procedures with minor disruption to your daily life.
Reach out to us today for a consultation with a varicose veins specialist near you.
Genetics, obesity, vein damage (especially near the pelvis), blood clots, and a sedentary lifestyle can all contribute to the development of varicose veins. Gender can play a role as well with women developing venous disease at higher rates than men. Pregnancy can elevate a woman’s blood volume, leading to additional pressure on leg veins.
Varicose veins may cause skin irritation, such as itching or burning, swelling of the legs, pain and aching, fatigue, heavy or restless legs, and leg cramps.
These symptoms may also indicate an underlying disorder in the larger, deeper veins of the legs. That is why it is important to have varicose veins evaluated by a vascular specialist.
Some people assume that varicose vein treatment is strictly cosmetic. While varicose veins may be unsightly, they can also be associated with more serious venous diseases such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism. For this reason medical treatment may not only be critical, it could be life-saving.
By treating your varicose veins, you can also decrease the likelihood of developing skin damage, infections, and/or ulcers.
Swollen legs and feet or leg pain are definite signs you need to pursue varicose vein treatment.
During your initial visit, you will be examined for common signs associated with venous disease. If signs exist, you will be given a diagnostic venous Doppler ultrasound. This noninvasive test uses sound waves emitted from a handheld device passed over the skin to allow your physician to determine exactly which veins need to be treated based on their blood flow. It can also identify blood clots.
The physician will then discuss the treatment options with you to form a treatment plan. The timing and extent of the treatment plan will be discussed to address your specific needs.
At Vascare we can address varicose veins in a number of different ways:
Treatment usually begins with changes in lifestyle – exercise, weight loss, and leg elevation – and the use of compression stockings or socks. While they will not reverse vein damage, compression stocking can alleviate the symptoms of vein disease.
For more problemsome symptoms, Vascare offers minimally invasive, cutting-edge procedures to treat varicose veins.
Venefit Targeted Endovenous Therapy is a quick and painless treatment that resolves varicose veins and other vein diseases through the use of radiofrequency (RF). RF heats the collagen in the vein walls, which causes the vein to shrink, seal shut, and ultimately be harmlessly absorbed by the surrounding tissue.
Foam Sclerotherapy treats severe instances of varicose veins with a simple injection of a chemical agent or sclerosant, which irritates the problematic vein and encourages it to close.
The VenaSeal procedure uses a specially formulated medical adhesive to close the diseased vein, rerouting blood to healthier veins and providing symptom relief. VenaSeal boasts a nearly a 93% vein closure rate after one year. VasCare’s own Dr. Llewellyn Lee helped launch VenaSeal and train physicians all over the U.S. on treatment protocols.
When small varicose veins are causing you embarrassment but not pain, VasCare can still help.
Similar to foam sclerotherapy, liquid injection sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure that heals the venous reflux through a chemical agent or sclerosant. The sclerosant causes the disease vein to close and the blood to reroute to healthier veins. Noticeable improvement can often be seen in as little as three weeks with this simple therapy .
I was initially referred to VasCare by my family physician for evaluation and treatment of thrombophlebitis and bulging varicose veins. I was also experiencing aching, painful legs that fatigued easily. I often noticed swollen ankles and throbbing along with itching and burning sensations near big ropey varicose veins. After undergoing the treatments in their office, all the symptoms that I initially presented with disappeared… now my body gets tired before my legs do when I am running and on patrol.
-Brian R., Petty Officer First Class
Dr. Llewellyn Lee is a board certified Vascular & interventional Radiologist. He has been treating patients for over 20 years and has successfully performed thousands of procedures. He also helped launch VenaSeal–the first glue-based, non-tumescent, and non-thermal vein disease treatment procedure–and has trained physicians from all over the U.S. in vein disease treatment protocols. Dr. Lee is a highly respected authority in the treatment of venous disease.
Dr. Charles J. Gutierrez is a board-certified general surgeon and fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He has successfully treated patients with venous disease, ulcers, and complicated wounds for over 20 years. Since 2010 he has been exclusively managing and treating medically necessary venous disease. He is also a published author of numerous articles on Doppler ultrasound, transesophageal ultrasound, and vascular surgery.
Our clinics are advanced medical healthcare facilities staffed by board-certified and specialty-trained expert physicians and nurses with extensive experience in diagnosing and treating varicose veins and chronic venous disease.
Our therapies are…
Nearly all insurance providers, including Medicare, cover medically necessary treatments for chronic venous disease. VasCare has developed managed care contracts with most major health insurance plans and networks. Your initial consultation at VasCare will be billed to your insurance and you will typically be responsible for the normal copay or coinsurance required for a specialist office visit and ultrasound (if needed).
It is common to see varicose veins return after treatment with vein stripping, but that is not a procedure we offer. The treatments we use typically improve symptoms within weeks or even days, with some treated veins permanently shrinking so much they cannot be seen on ultrasound at the one-year follow-up.
However, new varicose veins may develop after your initial treatment that require their own treatment.Â
Our minimally invasive procedures allow patients to walk in and walk out, with most able to return to work the next day. Full recovery time will vary from patient to patient.Â