Frequently Asked Questions Before Vein Injections

How much will it cost?
What can I do about my prominent leg veins?
Can I get rid of all the unsightly veins?
Will this improve varicose ?
What is the difference between hypertonic saline and Sotradecol?
What is Ethoxysclerol?
How is this different from laser treatment?
What are the risks of vein injections?
Will it affect the skin color?
I have heard about so many bad things on television, is it safe to have vein injections?
What can you tell me about this new technique that I saw on television?
Should I stop smoking?
What other choices do I have?
What additional procedures can I consider that will enhance the result?
Am I a good candidate for vein injections?
How many times can I have vein injections done?

How much will it cost?

The fee for vein injections can be located in the suggested fees . Please call my office for an accurate price quote or make an appointment for a personal consultation to discuss your specific concerns. My suggested quotes include professional fees, anesthesia fees, operating room costs, equipment use fees, treatment chemical costs, house calls, before care and after care. They do not include home care products, hospitalization costs, prescriptions, home nursing care, preoperative history and physical examinations examination, laboratory costs, or pathology fees. If you compare prices, make sure that you consider all these costs. I require complete payment two weeks prior to vein injection treatments.

What can I do about my prominent leg veins?

The combination of genetic vein weakness, prolonged standing, deep vein weakness, and/or pregnancy dilates or enlarges superficial leg veins. Vein injections irritate the internal surface of the veins causing the body to naturally absorb the vein.

Can I get rid of all the unsightly veins?

Vein injections can considerably improve the appearance of the legs by reducing the number of unsightly leg veins. However, there will always be a few dilated veins since you will continue to develop more over time. Patients usually have treatments every year or every other year to keep up with this process.

Will this improve varicose veins?

Varicose veins are large veins beneath the skin that become enlarged and unsightly due to the failure of the natural valve system. Vein injections can be used to treat short sections (six Inches) of varicose veins but longer varicose veins require surgery.

What is the difference between hypertonic saline and Sotradecol?

Hypertonic saline is concentrated salt water. Sotradecol is a medical surfactant (soap). Both of these medications are used in the treatment of dilated leg veins.

What is Ethoxysclerol?

Ehhoxysclerol is a local anesthetic drug developed in Europe. It works the same as other medications but is not approved by the FDA (federal Drug Administration) for leg vein injections. I do not recommend the use of any drug that is not approved by the FDA.

How is this different from laser treatment?

Colored laser light can be used to treat unwanted blood vessels. . Research is ongoing to apply this technology to the treatment of leg veins. I believe that laser treatment for this is a long way from being perfected.

What are the risks of vein injections?

There are risks with all cosmetic treatments. Skin staining, persistent prominent vessels, allergic reactions, severe skin irritation, scarring, infection, and deep venous thrombosis, while uncommon, can occur. Fortunately, most problems are correctable with additional treatments. Although rare, the most serious problem associated with vein injections is allergic reactions. There is reduced risk of allergic reactions with hypertonic saline injections. You must understand your risk of complications completely before you choose to have vein injections.

Will it affect the skin color?

It is unusual for vein injections to adversely affect the skin color. Discoloration is usually the result of skin staining by hemosiderin during the resolution of skin bruising.

I have heard about so many bad things on television, is it safe to have vein injections?

There are always risks with vein injections. I believe that vein injections can be done safely with a high degree of patient satisfaction. Serious problems are usually related to allergic reactions and/or medical problems. Most poor results can be improved with additional treatments.

What can you tell me about this new technique that I saw on television?

Everyone in America wants the latest in medical care. This is not always the best medical care. At times media presentations will leave out critical information about potential complications, quality of result, and FDA regulation. I am open minded when it comes to new technology but I would rather not use my patients to try out the newest techniques. Recent advances in vein injections utilize lasers to treat leg veins. . I believe that laser treatments are a long way from being perfected.

Should I stop smoking?

For general health reasons, I recommend that all my patients stop smoking. It is clear that smoking increases your risk for developing all sorts of cancers. Breathing problems like emphysema and circulatory problems including heart attacks, are also linked to smoking. Smoking also reduces blood flow that can result in poor skin response to vein injections. It is always best to stop smoking.

What other choices do I have?

There are other choices when it comes to vein injections. These include changing clothing styles, acceptance of a deformity, and cover-up makeup. Always understand all your options before having vein injections.

What additional procedures can I consider that will enhance the result?

Treatments can be combined to yield dramatic and complimentary results. In addition to vein injections, leg appearance can also be enhanced with liposuction, thigh lift surgery, and calf implants.

Am I a good candidate for vein injections?

This is a question that can only be answered after a personal consultation. Vein injections are suggested to patients with multiple dilated small cutaneous (skin) veins. Short segments (six inches) of larger veins can also be treated. Patients with serious vein disease (deep venous thrombosis, incompetent veins, stasis dermatitis, and/or skin ulceration) or arterial disease (decreased circulation, atherosclerosis, and/or hardening of the arteries) should not have vein injections. There are other things to consider as well including psychiatric conditions, life stress, medical illness, obesity, and motivation. You should be a healthy nonsmoker, within twenty pounds of your ideal weight. Major life stresses (i.e. grieving a death and divorce) must be absent in your life. The ideal candidate is motivated by internal desires to look better.

How many times can I have vein injections done?

Vein injections can be performed many times. After the first injection session a maintenance program is undertaken once every year or two. The treatments can be continued for a many years if needed.