Dr. Schlotter has extensive experience in caring for venous disorders. Since 2004, his office has provided specialized treatments for varicose veins was formally an affiliate of Veintec-Varicose Vein Clinics.
| Myth: | There is no treatment for varicose veins, reticular veins and spider veins. |
| Fact: | Depending on the type of vein, Dr. Schlotter can either use ligation, miniphlebectomy, LASE, Radio Frequency (VNUS) or sclerotherapy to treat venous disorders. All the surgical procedures are done under local anesthesia and in the office. Patients are able to walk immediately and drive themselves home. |
Varicose veins can become itchy, uncomfortable, or even painful. They often enlarge with pregnancy, weight gain and aging. True bulging varicose veins can cause severe stasis, ulceration and thrombosis. Timely treatments can dramatically improve appearance and may control or reverse the more serious complications seen in patients.
Dr. Schlotter has extensive experience in treating varicose veins, reticular veins, spider veins and other unsightly, sometimes painful venous disease. Please contact us today for an evaluation and to discuss which treatment option is best for you.
Types of Varicose Veins:
Types of Surgeries and Treatment Options:
- Laser Assisted Saphenous Endo-ablation (L.A.S.E.)
- Radio Frequency (RF or VNUS closure or Venefit)
- Ligation
- Miniphlebectomies
- Sclerotherapy
- Compression Stockings
Varicose Vein Before & After Photos
Spider Vein Before & After Photos
Reticular Vein Before & After Photos
Varicose Vein Information & Procedures
Please download our forms to learn more about your procedure:
- Insurance Policy Information for Varicose Vein Patients – English
- Insurance Policy Information for Varicose Vein Patients – Spanish
- Insurance Billing for Varicose Vein Patients – English
- Insurance Billing for Varicose Vein Patients – Spanish
- Spider Vein Sclerotherapy – English
- Varicose Vein Sclerotherapy – Spanish
- Reticular Vein Sclerotherapy – English
- Reticular Vein Sclerotherapy – Spanish
- Miniphlebectomy Patient Instructions – English
- Miniphlebectomy Patient Instructions – Spanish
- LASE Procedure Information – English
- LASE Procedure Information – Spanish
Varicose veins are a common medical condition, says James Schlotter, M.D., a board certified surgeon with Finesse Surgical Solutions who has been practicing general and vascular surgery in San Marcos since 1992. “This disorder affects about 25% of all adults and 50% of people over the age of 50. A growing number of people are concerned about the medical and cosmetic issues associated with their varicose veins.”
Patients complain of fatigue, swelling, itching, and pain in their lower legs. They may suffer from skin changes and ulcerations for years before they seek medical attention. Most patients have been told that there was nothing they could do except to wear compression stocking to help alleviate the pain. This solution does not fix or reverse varicose veins. Failure to treat varicose veins can result in more serious medical problems such as: venous stasis (skin changes), ulceration, thrombophlebitis and/or deep vein thrombosis.
Dr. Schlotter states “In the past my enthusiasm for treating varicose veins has been limited by the pain, scarring, and extended recovery which accompanied vein stripping. Today, new technologies and applications are available which overcome these limitations.” The newer therapies are less invasive, more effective, and cost efficient. As a result, more people are seeking treatment.
Modern treatment eliminates the blood flow through the affected vein. These abnormal veins can be safely removed or treated because the blood continues to flow through the many remaining veins, and overall circulation is actually improved. The clinic utilizes duplex ultrasound scanning in the office to assess the major veins for valve incompetence and reflux. This imaging provides a more accurate identification of the source of increased pressure. The scan produces active color images of the blood vessels on a screen. “People really enjoy watching. They think it’s cool to see ‘inside’ their veins. And it certainly impresses them to see the reflux demonstrated.”
If required, larger varicosities may be treated with endovascular laser ablation, or the LASE procedure. In endovenous laser therapy, a small incision is made into the varicose vein, which has been numbed with a local anesthetic. A very thin laser fiber is then inserted into the vein and directed to the desired treatment location. When the laser is activated, thermal energy is delivered, causing the vein to close. The laser fiber is gradually withdrawn until the entire diseased vessel is treated. The whole procedure lasts less than one hour. Other varicosities can be removed with stab or mini-phlebectomy. The target veins are removed through tiny incisions. Procedures are done in the office using a local anesthetic solution called Tumescent. Patients have little discomfort, and are able walk right away. In most cases patients are able to resume normal activities within a day or two. Most insurance companies provide medical benefits for the treatment of symptomatic varicose veins.
Spider veins and smaller varicose vein may be eliminated using sclerotherapy. A special solution is injected directly into the target vein to seal it off. “We prefer the newer compounds. I feel they are more effective, safer and much more comfortable than the saline injections or transdermal (surface) laser treatments”, says Dr. Schlotter.
The final answer is varicose and spider veins are a genetic condition so patients are preprogrammed for them. Other factors such as obesity, prolonged standing, and pregnancies do not create varicose veins but can make them worse. The best option for patients is to have definitive treatment so they can enjoy having healthier and cosmetically better looking legs.
