Question:
I am at 35 year old male who has had trouble with varicose veins in my legs for years and ignored it. I am beginning to think something has to be done, but am unsure where to turn. I am not sure of the cause of my veins, but they are common on my mother's side of the family. I am not overweight, but was up to my teens. Since my early 20's I have been at the correct weight for my height and workout daily. I have very muscular legs from my workouts. While my legs are hairy like most men and that covers the appearance of most of the veins, I noticed a year or two ago that sometimes at night I was feel a light aching in my calf off and on and then it would ago away. It took me a while to realize this aching was coming from the same calf where my varicose veins are. I am unsure if it's related. It will come, then go for months and then return for a day or two. In any event, this week I finally look a good look at my calfs and it's not pretty. I have a very large mess of varicose veins on the inside of my right calf, a few more varicose veins near my ankle and a smaller, almost spider vein near the side of my knee on the same let. My left calf have some smaller varicose veins, but I'd swear that calf didn't have any a few years ago so I assume this sitution is worsening and need to take action. I had read about laser vein removal and saw a local doctor a few months ago who looked at my legs and said the veins were too large for lazer methods to me used. He then told me I need to find a "vascular surgeon" but couldn't name any to refer me to. I am left with two questions. I want these veins gone, I am a healthy man in very good shape otherwise and I believe the ache I feel may be related to the veins. I feel I have to do something before things get worse. My questions are: 1. Is removel of varicose veins normally covered my health insurance? This is not just a cosmetic issue and I just can't shell out the cost of removal out of my pocket. 2. Where do I find a vascular surgeon? I looked in my large book of providers given to me by my health insurance company but can't even find a listing for that type of doctor. I keep putting this off because I don't know how to proceed and want to take action. I'd like to have this done and over with before summer when I am wearing shorts again. Any input would be helpful.

Answer: -You may find a vascular surgeon that would operate on your varicose veins, but generally it's more common to find that it's a procedure that is done by general surgeons. I strongly recommend transilluminated powered phlebectomy (TriVex). Look at http://www.endo.smith-nephew.com/US/node.asp?NodeId=3422 then find a surgeon that can do it. It is vastly superior to the older stab-avulsion technique. -If you look at http://www.endo.smith-nephew.com/US/node.asp?NodeId=3422 , you will find a physician locator for the TriVex varicose vein procedure. You should find the one closest to you and make an appointment.