Approximately 23% of adults in the U.S. have varicose veins. They are generally more common in older women than men, and they tend to appear in the legs. Varicose veins are not generally a serious medical concern, but they can be uncomfortable or lead to complications.
A microphlebectomy is one of the best treatment options for varicose veins. At Beach Cities Vein & Laser Center in El Segundo, CA, we offer microphlebectomy procedures and many other vein treatments. Read on to learn more.
What Are Varicose Veins?
Varicose veins are veins that have become swollen and twisted. Any veins that are close to the skin’s surface can become varicose, but leg veins are the most common culprit because walking and standing put pressure on the lower body veins.
Milder versions of varicose veins are called spider veins. These are smaller, often red or blue, and can appear on the face or other areas.
For most people, varicose and spider veins are a cosmetic concern, but for others, they can create discomfort or even lead to more serious health issues.
Causes of Varicose Veins
Increased blood pressure in the veins can cause varicose veins. Arteries carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body, and veins carry blood back to the heart. Veins have one-way valves that do that job, but if the valves weaken or become damaged, blood collects in the veins. This causes them to swell and even twist.
Some risk factors that can increase the chances of developing varicose veins include:
- Age
- Sex, with women being more likely to develop varicose veins
- Pregnancy
- Family history and genetics
- Obesity
- Standing or sitting for long periods
- Smoking
- Taking oral contraceptives
How we treat your varicose veins will depend on your overall health and medical history, the extent of the condition, your preferences, and your goals.
What Is a Microphlebectomy?
One of the treatment options we offer is a microphlebectomy, also called an ambulatory phlebectomy. It is an outpatient procedure suitable for veins that are too small for lasers or for those that are too large to treat with sclerotherapy. This treatment option does not require general anesthesia or sutures.
We use small, slit-like incisions during the ambulatory phlebectomy to remove affected vein sections. After removing the sections, the remaining vein sections clot, eliminating the bruised, bulging areas.
Microphlebectomies have a lower varicose vein recurrence rate than sclerotherapy. They also allow you to get back to your life right after the procedure, and because we don’t use general anesthesia, preparing for treatment is simple.
Most insurance providers cover this option, as well.
Candidates for an Ambulatory Phlebectomy
If you have varicose veins that affect your appearance or that cause complications like cramping, persistent pain, or discoloration, a microphlebectomy can be appropriate.
People who take blood-thinning medication, have clotting issues, have severe edema or cellulitis in the same areas as the varicose veins, or have an active skin infection should consider alternative treatments.
Preparing for a Microphlebectomy
During our consultation, we will take a full medical history to ensure this is the best treatment option. Let us know about the medications you take, including herbal supplements and vitamins.
We recommend you drink plenty of water before the procedure. If we give you an oral sedative, take it one hour before the appointment and arrange for someone to drive you home. Make sure to bring your compression stockings with you to the appointment and to wear loose and comfortable clothing.
During the Procedure
We will mark the area where the treatment will happen and apply a local anesthetic. Once the area is numb, we will create small incisions along the vein path and use a surgical hook to gently extract the damaged vein sections. Because the cuts are so small, there may be no need for stitches.
Once we finish the procedure, we will place steri-strips on the incisions and then apply a dressing over the entire area. The procedure can take between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on the size of the treatment area. You can then walk out of our center and return home.
Microphlebectomy Recovery
There is no downtime for this procedure, and you can return to regular activities right after. We actually encourage you to walk because it promotes blood flow, accelerating the healing process in the treatment area.
However, you should avoid strenuous exercise for a couple of weeks after the procedure and wear your compression stockings for a few days. We also recommend you elevate your legs three or four times a day for a few minutes.
We will schedule a follow-up appointment to remove the dressings and check on the healing process. Until we recommend you remove your compression stockings, keep them in place, and do not soak your legs in baths or hot tubs.
The results are immediate after an ambulatory phlebectomy, and they will keep improving as you recover.
Get Rid of Varicose Veins
Whether you are unhappy with the appearance that varicose veins give your legs or other affected areas or you are experiencing discomfort or pain, a microphlebectomy can be the solution. This minimally invasive outpatient procedure could offer the results you want without any downtime.
At Beach Cities Vein & Laser Center in El Segundo, CA, we perform ambulatory phlebectomies, endovenous laser treatments, radiofrequency ablations, and many other procedures for varicose and spider veins.
With our state-of-the-art medical facility and our highly trained and caring staff, you can receive the treatment you need in a safe and comfortable environment. Contact us now to make an appointment.
Amazing job
by Fred Herdt
Category: vein treatmentsOk so I know I left a review before, but I’m at the gym working out right now and I see my legs in the mirror, particularly the right leg, and all I can say is DAMN, MY LEG LOOKS SO GREAT! And all that vascular pain from standing and working behind a salon chair is GONE!!! Thank you again Dr. Raymond and everyone at Beach Cities Vein and Vascular Center! I’m so happy with everything you did and it was worth every penny. To me, you did the impossible, and I’m so not kidding. I had been to two other vein “specialists” over the last 15 years they didn’t even come close to what Dr. Raymond could do. So again thank you!
Fantastic
by Anna
Category: vein treatmentsMy experience with Beach Cities Vein & Láser center was Outstanding. I got the results I wanted with my varicoise veins treatment. Dr. Rayman and Marisa were both professional, excellent , and caring . The office staff was always helpful and courteous. I would highly recommend Beach Cities Vein & Láser Center .
Look No Further than Doctor Rayman!
by Amber
Category: vein treatmentsAt age 29, I had a growing varicose vein on my ankle that made me feel so insecure and like everyone was looking at my “monster vein” (lol). I was about to turn 30 in a few months so I started looking up places to help me get rid of my unsightly vein. When I found this site online I immediately made an appointment. I was excited, but also very nervous as I have never had any sort of medical procedure before. However, once i got to the office everyone is SO kind and quick to answer any questions, I felt like I really made the right choice with Dr. Rayman. Marlene was with me through a lot of my appointments, doing my ultrasounds and pictures-she does a great job and is so sweet! Dr. Rayman is one of the nicest doctors I have met. He immediately made me feel comfortable not only due to his extensive knowledge but also due to the fact that he really cared about me, my issue and how to fix it. We went with the Endovenous Laser Treatment to treat the core problem of my “monster vein”. The procedure itself was relatively quick and definitely painless as my leg was completely numb! For me, as someone who gets grossed out easily, it was a mental game of not thinking too much about the procedure as it was happening lol! My mom was allowed to be in the room with me, I got to pick my favorite music, and honestly we all chatted the whole time. I went back for my second procedure, which was the injections into my soon-to-be-gone monster vein. This was also pretty painless for me besides some mild burning sensations initially after the injections. I wore the compression socks as directed and personally had no trouble with them. I had a little bit of a numb sensation where we did the EVLT, but that faded with time and I feel totally normal again. I just went back for 6 month check up appointment, and my monster vein is gone!!! I’m so incredibly happy with the results. Dr. Rayman and his team are so good at what they do, so kind, and SO WORTH IT. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed!
Excellent Experience!
by Katherine O'Connor
Category: vein treatmentsI had a wonderful experience at Beach Cities Vein & Laser Center. Everyone has a smile on their face and makes you feel welcome. I am so happy with the results. I highly recommend Dr. Rayman and his excellent team! Thank you for taking such great care of me!
Dr. Rayman, thank you for doing what you do!!!!
by Grace S.
Category: vein treatmentsYOUR SEARCH IS OVER! This review will be helpful to those who have delayed doing something about their varicose veins because of fear. If you are scared of needles, traumatized from past surgical procedures, and burdened by years of daily reminders of having painful, bothersome, and tired legs due to varicose veins, you do not need to worry anymore, nor do you need to suffer any longer from the physical and emotional pains that come with varicose veins thanks to Dr. Rayman and his exceptional medical practice. A bit of background: I had surgery 8 years ago by a surgeon to address varicose veins in my right leg -- a "real" surgery in a hospital operating room, with full general anesthesia. Not only were the surgery and its after effects painful and long lasting (including nerve damage), even more varicose veins started popping up about a couple years later. Due to that bad experience, I decided I would NEVER do anything about my varicose veins again, and that I was destined to live with the pain, discomfort, and ugliness. Fast forward 8 years, and the discomfort/pain, heaviness/throbbing, etc. were really getting to be a daily issue. Even people were coming up to me asking if my legs were hurting, because they looked like they felt! So I decided to do my due diligence and started to do a lot of research online (medical conditions, procedures, and various doctors). Thanks to Yelp, I found Dr. Rayman!! Being a bit gun shy, I called his office twice with tons of questions, and then proceeded to see him for TWO consultations (with my notepad full of questions). Each time, and with every interaction I had with him and his staff , I felt more and more at ease. Dr. Rayman showed me with the ultrasound exactly what my veins were doing and not doing. (And low and behold, the vein that was supposedly tied off 8 years ago was still there, bad as ever.) He and each one of his staff received me and my zillion questions with such respect, patience, compassion, and professionalism. Three weeks after my consultations, I had my radiofrequency ablation (RFA) done! Dr. Rayman and his staff are great, but I think they are able to show their personal best when actually performing the procedure -- during the procedure, there was wonderful bedside manner, nice music playing, excellent communication between doctor and patient and assistants, and obvious skill and confidence. Being embarrassingly afraid of needles, I must say it was really fine! I wanted to hug him when it was over, he was that great and showed that much care! I also appreciate his practical tips on how to distract myself when he was administering the numbing medication!! And considering it's just 3 days after my procedure and I've already made my appointment for Dr. Rayman to do my left leg (same condition), you've got to know that I'm completely satisfied, comfortable, and grateful. I told him, "Dr. Rayman, thank you for doing what you do!!!!"
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