Frequently Asked Questions

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Table of Contents





What are varicose and spider veins?

Varicose veins and spider veins are common problems, sometimes painful and always cosmetically unpleasant. They have nothing to do with weight or exercise, but are rather an inherited condition appearing often as early as teenage years and especially during pregnancies. Nonetheless, it is not uncommon to see them develop much later in life.

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What are the most common symptoms?

Typically they cause aching discomfort and a heavy feeling and legs that tire easily, with symptoms often worse as the day wears on. Relief comes with walking or elevating the legs. Regardless, there are many who complain of no symptoms at all.

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Is treatment necessary?

Varicose veins and spider veins are always abnormal and will not disappear without treatment. Left unchecked varicose veins can lead to unpleasant and even serious complications such as skin discoloration and sores, bleeding, ankle swelling and phlebitis. Spider veins, not associated with varicose veins, will likely remain only a cosmetic problem although some patients complain bitterly of discomfort for no other apparent reason. While many persons chose not to treat varicose veins, especially when they are not causing pain or discomfort, in the minority of cases that complications develop, treating the varicose veins after the fact cannot reverse the complications and therefore comes too late.

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Do varicose veins require surgery?

Not necessarily. They can also be treated with practically painless injections of sclerotherapy medications, using no anesthesia at all and they will disappear usually within a few weeks. For the tiniest veins, and spider veins, laser treatments can also be used. At The Vein Clinic of South Florida, we find that what is usually most expedient, that is to say, safest, quickest, and least expensive, for varicose veins and spider veins, is injection sclerotherapy. For larger and more serious varicose veins, minimally invasive outpatient techniques requiring only local anesthesia and accomplished with needle, catheter and laser technology, called "percutaneous endocatheter laser ablation" will be offered, rather than ligation and strippiing surgery. Rather than a week of painful convalescence, patients drive home, return to work the next day and take Advil and Tylenol for post procedural discomfort.

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What is sclerotherapy? Can it be used as an alternative to surgery?

Sclerotherapy refers to the injection of dilated veins and spider blemishes with medication specifically formulated to cause their disappearance without doing harm to normal healthy veins, the skin or other tissues. Only the finest and highest quality needles are used and strict asepsis is observed, with everything appropriately discarded immediately after use. Sclerotherapy however is not an alternative to surgery. If you read or are told otherwise, ask questions, be critical and and consider getting another opinon from a qualified specialist. Be wary of high tech sounding terms such as “echosclerotherapy and ultrasound guided sclerotherapy. These are not sophisticated techniques nor are they legitimate alternative treatments when surgical intervention is indicated.

Many cosmetic dermatologists and plastic surgeons and other trained medical doctors treat patients with varicose veins and spider veins as part of their overall practice in which they provide the highest quality care to their patients. But they always refer patients they know they cannot help to qualified associates.

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Why Does The Vein Clinic of South Florida insist on surgery for some patients?

Because some patients with varicose veins cannot be treated without some form of intervention to relieve the underlying cause of their varicose veins. Within recent years, especially developed catheters, have had the same effect on varicose vein treatment as angioplasty has had for patients requiring coronary bypass surgery. That is to say, to significantly reduce the number of patients requiring more major surgery. Specially designed catheters can be inserted inside the veins and ultrasound or laser energy used to destabilize, denaturize and close the vein without any pain whatsoever. The procedure takes but a few minutes and is practically risk free.

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Is sclerotherapy safe for all patients?

Ninety percent of patients at The Vein Clinic are treated with sclerotherpy alone because it is safe, virtually painless, inexpensive and highly effective. As with our minimally invasive techniques, all sclerotherapy patients return to normal activities right away. No convalescence is required as veins disappear while patients go about their usual activities. Relief of heaviness and other symptoms is almost immediate and many veins are completely gone within six weeks. For spider veins and small varicose veins, sclerotherapy is usually all that is necessary and generally speaking results are superior, at least in our hands, to laser treatments.

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How effective is treatment?

Varicose vein patients may expect 100% relief. Many people are surprised to learn that spider vein treatment can be more difficult than varicose veins and spider vein patients are not advised to expect 100% clearing of blemishes.

What is the cost of treatment?

Fortunately, treatment for varicose veins at The Vein Clinic of South Florida is not expensive. In most cases we can begin treatment right away and avoid even a consultation charge. While it is difficult to predict how much treatment will be necessary, we advise that most patients (about 70%) require between three to six fifteen minute treatment sessions, usually over a period of three to six months. The remaining roughly 30% of patients either require one or a few sessions, or when the problem is extensive on both legs, some may require more.

For patients with more serious varicose veins problems, venous duplex peripheral vascular examination is scheduled at a future date. These patients are told a treatment fee in advance and we then make every effort to obtain maximum reimbursement that is permitted under their insurance plan.

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Will my insurance plan cover the costs of the treatment?

Traditional indemnity and PPO managed care plans should help pay for treatment of varicose veins, but different plans within the same company will vary widely in their reimbursement allowances. Only spider vein treatment is not likely to be covered. With HMO insurance that does not implicitly include benefits for treatment outside your plan, treatment with Dr. D’Alessandro at their expense is not possible. Regardless, treatment at The Vein Clinic of South Florida is almost certainly your most cost effective alternative.

If insurance coverage is a matter of concern, you can get a great deal of information from us over the phone. You need not make an appointment for a consultation to benefit from what we have learned from dealing with your insurance company for the past fifteen years.

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How can I get more information on the Vein Clinic of South Florida?

If you would like more information on the Vein Clinic of South Florida, including our fee schedule, call us at one of our three office locations in Dade, Broward or Palm Beach counties or request a free brochure, which will be forwarded to your home address or sent as an attachment via email. Click here.

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How can I make an appointment?

To make an appointment, call Pat, Donna or Millie at (954) 943-2480, or one of our other locations, weekdays between 8:00am and 5.00pm, or email us at info@veinclinic.net. Millie speaks Spanish and can be contacted Monday afternoon and all day Wednesday and Friday.

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