Laser Varicose Vein Removal

If you’re one of the more than 25 million Americans who suffer from uncomfortable and unsightly varicose veins, you should know about a non-surgical treatment that’s safe, virtually painless, and requires little to no downtime.

The VenaCure EVLT™ laser vein treatment procedure uses laser energy to achieve proven results without the discomfort and lengthy recovery experienced through the surgical option of ligation and vein stripping.

The entire procedure takes about one hour, and depending on the severity of your condition, may be covered by your insurance. (Call your provider for more information.)

About varicose veins

Varicose veins can develop through a combination of weakened vein walls and faulty valves. Under a variety of circumstances, normally toned, elastic vein walls can become weak and allow the recirculating blood that should be moving toward your heart to flow backward.

One-way valves in these veins—which open and enable blood to flow through on its way upward, then close to stop blood from flowing backward—can also fail to function properly.

This allows blood to pool and pressure to build up, which further weakens and subsequently damages the veins, causing them to become twisted, enlarged, and painful.

Causes of varicose veins

• Inherited genetic predisposition
• Normal aging process
• Hormonal changes that relax vein walls, which put women at a greater risk than men
• Conditions that put excess pressure on leg veins (e.g. standing for long periods of time, obesity, and pregnancy)
• History of blood clots and conditions that increase pressure in the abdomen (e.g. tumors, constipation, and tight garments)
• Previous venous surgery
• Exposure to ultraviolet rays

Up to 40% of women and 25% of men are affected by this condition—and fortunately, treatment is available.

About laser vein treatment

Simply put, a laser is a highly concentrated beam of light. Medical lasers work by delivering this light energy to the targeted tissue with extreme precision, so as not to affect the surrounding tissue.

VenaCure EVLT™ laser vein treatment eliminates varicose veins where they start

In laser vein treatment, a thin fiber is inserted into the damaged vein. A laser light is emitted through the fiber, delivering just the right amount of energy. The targeted tissue reacts with the light energy, causing the vein to close and seal shut. The veins that are closed off are superficial veins that handle less than 5% of your blood flow. The blood is automatically routed to other veins.

The procedure is done right in the surgeon’s office

The entire VenaCure EVLT™ procedure typically lasts anywhere from 45 minutes to one hour and requires only a local anesthetic. The surgeon will insert a thin laser fiber into the vein through a very small entry point, and the laser light that emits through this fiber will seal the faulty vein.

While you might feel an unfamiliar sensation, it is not painful. This part of the procedure takes literally just a few minutes. You will be encouraged to walk immediately after the procedure, and you can resume normal activity the same day. (Ask the surgeon when it is safe to resume rigorous activities.) Some patients may experience temporary soreness, which can be treated effectively with over-the-counter, non-aspirin pain relievers and should subside within the first five days.

Benefits of VenaCure

• Treatment in less than an hour
• Can be performed in the doctor’s office
• Up to 98% success rate
• Immediate relief of symptoms
• Return to normal activity immediately with little to no pain
• No general anesthesia or hospitalization
• Minimal-to-no scarring
• Typically covered by insurance

Before and 2 weeks after VenaCure EVLT™

Results can be immediate—and are more than 97% effective

After treatment, the appearance of the abnormal vein is instantly improved with minimal scarring. There may be some slight swelling and minimal bruising around the treatment site. However, once that subsides, you will see a significant difference in the appearance of your legs. For those patients who don’t experience these small side effects, the results are obvious right away.

Learn more about VenaCure EVLT™

If you’d like to find out if you’re a candidate for laser vein treatment of varicose veins, please call (618) 257-VEIN (8346).