Vein Treatments on Long Island: What to Expect

If you’re considering vein treatments on Long Island, here’s what to expect from the process. The first step is choosing which of the vein treatment clinics in Long Island offer the procedures that you need. Choosing the right one will determine how successful your treatment is. There are essentially three tiers of vein treatment–cosmetic, minimally invasive, and surgical. Most people need a minimally invasive treatment. Book an appointment with minimally invasive Long Island vein specialists, or read on to learn about the options.

Cosmetic clinics like dermatologists and estheticians offer certain surface vein treatments such as topical lasers or superficial sclerotherapy. These treatments work for some patients with broken capillaries or small spider veins on their face. But surface lasers aren’t safe for patients with sensitive skin or certain skin conditions. In addition, these aren’t as effective for varicose veins or spider veins in the legs which often stem from deeper vein issues. Vein treatments at cosmetic vein clinics aren’t typically covered by insurance.

Minimally invasive vein treatment clinics can position lasers, sclerosants, radiofrequency, or vein adhesives directly on the vein walls instead of on the skin. These are quick, gentle, and non-surgical procedures that are performed in the office in just a few minutes. Vein doctors insert tiny needles or catheters into the skin to treat the vein directly. While surface lasers can’t treat large or deep veins without damaging the skin above them, minimally invasive procedures don’t affect the skin. In addition, they’re routinely covered by insurance, if you choose a qualified doctor who uses FDA-approved treatments.

Surgical vein clinics in Long Island are rarely required for spider vein and varicose vein care. Surgeries like vein stripping have been largely replaced by less invasive methods as new technology emerged. Vascular surgeons now primarily operate on arteries, treating issues like ruptured arteries and carotid artery disease. However, a small percentage of patients need surgery for veins. This includes people with blood clots and highly tortuous veins that a minimally invasive device can’t safely navigate. It’s best to see a minimally invasive vein doctor first to avoid unnecessary surgery, as well as ineffective cosmetic treatments that aren’t covered by insurance.

Once you’ve found a clinic that has minimally invasive treatments and submitted your insurance details, it’s time to choose from the clinic’s vein specialists. Always look for a board certified, minimally invasive vein doctor. Many people who treat veins aren’t board certified, or even doctors. Your vascular health isn’t something to take chances with. The cardiovascular system impacts every other system in the body. The veins have the important task of pumping blood to the heart to collect oxygen which is distributed throughout the body. An unskilled vein specialist could offer ineffective or even harmful treatments.

Look for a doctor who’s certified by the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine (ABVLM). This means they’ve studied phlebology, vein medicine, vein diseases, and vein treatments. Or look for a doctor certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) in either vascular surgery or radiology, which are applicable to vein care. Note where they got their medical degree and how long they’ve been in practice. It’s also wise to ensure they work at an accredited facility.

At your initial consultation, our vein doctors conduct a thorough physical exam and discuss your medical history, symptoms, and concerns. They’ll order more tests if needed, such as lab work or vein mapping ultrasounds. These will help determine whether you have Chronic Venous Insufficiency. If so, we can also treat that with a quick, outpatient procedure. Then, they’ll present your options and seek your input on the best treatment plan. Below are some of the most popular vein treatments among our patients. Your vein specialist will tell you which ones you’re eligible for. Some patients get endovenous laser ablation, but it’s similar to radiofrequency ablation, except that lasers are hotter than radiofrequency. So, we prefer radiofrequency to provide optimal comfort for our patients.

• Sclerotherapy– A quick injection of a sclerosant that causes the defective vein to close. No anesthesia, stitches or recovery time are required. You can be in and out of the clinic in 20 minutes.
• Vein Adhesives– A gentle injection of cyanoacrylate glue that seals the vein shut. It takes just a few minutes and requires no anesthetics.
• Mechanochemical Ablation– A dual treatment that combines an injection of a sclerosant with rotation of the injection device to disrupt the vein walls and collapse it. It uses no anesthesia.
• Radiofrequency Ablation– Vein doctors inject tumescent anesthesia around the vein to protect the area from heat. Then they use radiofrequency to heat and close the vein. They often use ultrasound guidance, and it takes 20-30 minutes.

When you choose minimally invasive vein treatment in Long Island, you can resume your usual routine immediately. Our patients are able to walk around right after spider vein and varicose vein treatment. You can even drive yourself to and from the appointment and head back to work if you’d like. There is no downtime required with any of our procedures, so you don’t need to take time off work. You don’t have to awaken from general anesthesia or deal with wound care instructions, so you can complete vein treatment within a lunch break. Visit any of our award-winning vein treatment clinics in Long Island to learn more!