Spider Veins Questions and Answers

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Question:

I have some spider and vericose (sp?) veins on my legs that I want to have removed. What proceedures are available to me and what type of Dr. do I need to go to? Thank you.

Answer:

There are 3 main procedures available to you: sclerotherapy (an injection of salt or detergent like solution into the veins), laser, and ambulatory phlebectomy (surgical removal). All work well although general phlebectomy is done for larger vessels or if there is an abnormality of an underlying valve causing the problem. The latter can be diagnosed by an ultrasound. It is difficult to say what type of doctor to go to as dermatologists, phlebologists, and vascular surgeons all do some of these procedures. I would recommend that you try to select a doctor with a known interest in treating leg veins. Some vascular surgeons have absolutely no interest in this, and others have a tremendous amount of interest. If you are interested in laser, find someone who has a 1064 nm laser and specializes or is known for laser. You can find laser surgeons at www.aslms.org and phlebologists at www.phlebology.org.

Question:

I HAD SCLEROTHERAPY TO REMOVE SPIDER VEINS FROM MY LEGS. IT DID NOT HELP ME MUCH. NOW SPECIALLY ON MY ANCLE AREA HAVE A LARGE RED SPOT WHERE SPIDERVEINS WERE. IF I PRESS THET AREA IT DISAPPEARS, THAN IT COMES BACK. IT LOOKS LIKE BLOOD UNDER THE SKIN. IT IS ANY WAY TO HELP THIS SITUATION ?

Answer:

Dear Aniko, You have what is termed a venous lake and they are rather difficult to get rid of. You may wish to have a repeat sclerotherapy session or you may wish to try a laser treatment by a qualified laser surgeon. These are the best means of removing these lesions.

Gregory Caputy, MD, Chief Surgeon
Honolulu, HI

Question:

What to do about spider veins ?

Answer:

Dear Vivian, Treatment is relatively simple through the use of sclerosants (injection of material which makes the veins collapse) for the larger veins and laser treatment of the smaller vessels. Compressive garments will help to minimize the number of treatments and also future development of more.

Gregory Caputy, MD, Chief Surgeon
Honolulu, HI

Question:

I am interested in breast augmentation. I am a 36A (I used to be a B Cup before having 2 children)I went to see 2 dr's in my area for a consultation and I didn't really care for either of them, they really didn't listen to what I wanted. I would like to be somewhere between a B/C Cup They both thought I should go bigger...if I was going to go through surgery I should make it worth my while! I am 37, small boned, 5'8, 130 lbs. How do I find a Dr who will work with me? I also would like to know more about removing spider veins on my legs. Thanks so much, Michele

Answer 1:

Good for you! There is no reason to be bigger than you need to be. One idea is to take a some rice (30cc equals one oz.) and put the rice in a baggie and see what number of ounces looks good in a bra. Then multiply the number by 30 and you will get a number of ccs. There are many excellent plastic surgeons who will accomodate you.

Josh Korman, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Mountain View, CA

Answer 2:

Dear Michele, I am never certain what doctors are thinking when they try to impose their own aesthetics on their patients. They do no have to live with your breasts for the rest of their lives. I would suggest that you may have to travel to a larger center in order to find a doctor who will work with you.

Gregory Caputy, MD, Chief Surgeon
Honolulu, HI

Answer 3:

Sorry, Michele, I forgot to mention that there are two ways of treating spider veins: sclerotherapy and lasers. For the most part, sclerotherapy works better on larger vessels with less recurrence and lasers are useful for the smaller vessels.

Gregory Caputy, MD, Chief Surgeon
Honolulu, HI

Question:

would like to have spider veins corrected on face and neck , who should I see ?

Answer:

Dear Vivian, Most plastic surgeons and dermatologists who have vascular lasers would be able to help you. Just call and ask if they can get rid of tiny blood vessels on the face.

Gregory Caputy, MD, Chief Surgeon
Honolulu, HI

Question:

Is there a natural way, such as with topical cream, medication, etc. to get rid of spider and vericose veins? What causes spider veins?

Answer:

Dear Dawn, There is not. The vitamin K containing creams cannot work since they are not based on any scientific principle of reduction of veins (vitamin K is used by the liver to aid in blood clotting). Spider veins are caused by blood leaking backwards through valves that are not competent and dilating the superficial vessels that you see. The only way of curing the problem, at present, is to wear special compressive hose that collapse these veins or to treat them be sclerotherapy ( injection) or laser to make them disappear. For larger varicose veins, surgical removal or ultrasonic treatment is necessary.

Gregory Caputy, MD, Chief Surgeon
Honolulu, HI

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