Not your mother’s vein treatment

By Dr. Sonja Stiller, Center for Advanced Vein Care

One reason people delay treatment for varicose veins is the memory of a relative or friend undergoing painful stripping surgery in the past.

But those days are gone.

Modern techniques, such as laser treatments, ultrasound-guided chemical or thermal ablation, and VenaSeal (a medical-grade glue) are now available. These procedures are relatively pain-free and cause no downtime. That means patients no longer suffer the pain, swelling, bruising, scarring, immobility, and long downtime our parents had to endure.

Still, the memory of a loved one’s discomfort is powerful, therefore many people delay treatment, thinking the same fate awaits them—but it does not.

Please don’t wait. Leaving varicose veins untreated not only intensifies symptoms, it can result in permanent skin discoloration, skin ulcers and blood clots.

Already Had Surgery?
If you already had stripping surgery before modern alternatives became available around 2007, you may be experiencing a reoccurrence, which is not uncommon. Years after stripping surgery, veins can regrow—sometimes without valves—resulting in bulgy veins and poor circulation. The good news is, we can use today’s same modern techniques to treat recurrences, too. In addition, we employ vein mapping, compression, bioflavonoids, and more to get you back on your feet and walking, which leads to good venous health.

Give our office a call if you are suffering from any of the following symptoms:

• leg pain or swelling
• heaviness or fatigue
• itching or burning
• inflammation
• skin discoloration
• restless legs syndrome.

Dr. Sonja Stiller is a diplomat of both the American Board of Emergency Medicine and the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine, and founder of the Center for Advanced Vein Care. The center’s newly expanded offices are at 7200 Mentor Avenue, in Mentor. For an appointment, call 440-710-1140. More info can be found at YourHealthyVeins.com.