What Are Varicose Veins?
Varicose veins are large, swollen veins, usually presenting in the lower extremities. Standing and walking upright increases the pressure of the veins making the most commonly affected veins in the legs.
Pregnancy at Age 40 Delivers Painful Varicose Veins
Center for Vein Restoration helps a mom feel and look great after years of suffering from bulging varicose veins and other classic symptoms of vein disease. She can even wear shorts again!
Pregnancy at age forty left Lisa with an unsightly bulging vein near her right knee. She was sure she would never again feel comfortable wearing shorts or a bathing suit in public. Lisa had also been experiencing the classic symptoms of venous insufficiency, including heavy, itchy, fatigued legs "for some time." Despite this, she never made the connection between her symptoms and vein disease.
That is until she met Laura Kelsey, MD, lead physician at Center for Vein Restoration (CVR) locations in Grand Rapids and Muskegon, Michigan.
Dr. Kelsey first educates her patient and then gives her hope
Lisa says that her most important lesson about vein disease occurred during her very first consultation when she learned from Dr. Kelsey that there were minimally invasive office procedures to help correct her bulging, unattractive leg veins. Next, Lisa describes discovering from her ultrasound that under her skin’s surface lie “broken down veins,” which she came to find is the result of vein disease.
She describes being "shocked" to discover that her vein disease caused varicose veins and was the root cause of her overall leg discomfort.
Lisa left that appointment hopeful that help to achieve “healthier, better-looking legs was possible,” but more importantly, knowing that “Dr. Kelsey is extraordinary.”
“It is clear that Dr. Kelsey loves what she does, her team, and her patients. She is precise, skilled, knowledgeable, and wise. I know I am in the best hands possible. In addition to her gifted surgery skill set, she is personable, incredibly caring, and means what she says when she tells me to call her with any of my concerns.” -Lisa, CVR patient
The vein doctor’s perspective
Dr. Kelsey describes Lisa as “one of our best patients!” Dr. Kelsey adds that Lisa had “horrible vein disease and fussy insurance. Nevertheless, Lisa persevered, and through several staged procedures, she was able to obtain the goals she desired.”
Lisa’s Vein Treatments
Lisa describes her experience of having had several procedures on each leg. At every appointment, “I feel the team working together for my health and wellness needs. I was always greeted with a warm welcome that helped put me at ease. After several appointments, I’ll be honest, I just feel like I became part of the family.”
Lisa’s procedures included:
During this office procedure, high-frequency radio waves heat the targeted vein, causing it to close. The vein is reabsorbed into the body, and blood supply is naturally rerouted through healthier veins.
The bulging vein is then extracted through these tiny incisions that require only a band-aid to cover. This relatively minor surgical procedure is often conducted at the same time as a laser or radiofrequency ablation. The blood supply naturally reroutes to healthier veins.
During this office procedure, microfoam medication is injected into the affected veins, collapsing the veins. The body absorbs the vein, and the blood supply is rerouted.
Lisa’s CVR experience, in her own words
“During my time in the office, I felt valued as each person. Everyone I spoke with, from check-in to check-out, had my best interest at heart. I was never rushed; each person was professional and cared about my needs, questions, and concerns. I could feel how they were a cohesive team of special individuals working together for the goal of making my experience a good one.”
Lisa adds, “For me, it’s been a journey, from my initial consultation, the insurance processes, and many vein procedures to get me to where I am today. As a result, I am very happy with the different procedures that were recommended and performed. My legs are healthier and feeling better than they have in years. I can wear shorts again!”
Why do varicose veins develop during pregnancy?
Almost half of all pregnant women develop enlargement of the superficial veins, which are close to the skin's surface, during pregnancy. The swelling is due to the additional pressure the growing uterus puts on the large vein on the right side of the body. This increases the pressure in the leg veins that are already working against gravity. Other reasons include the flood of progesterone, a powerful female sex hormone that relaxes the walls of the blood vessels. Varicose veins tend to get worse with each successive pregnancy and with advancing age.
Additional risk factors for developing varicose veins during pregnancy include carrying extra weight, standing, sitting for long periods, and genetics.
Do you have varicose veins after pregnancy? CVR can help!
The good news is that, for many women, varicose veins decrease or disappear after birth. This is especially possible if the woman didn’t have varicose veins before pregnancy. However, if these bulging, troublesome veins remain after delivery, the doctors at CVR are experts at treating pregnancy-related varicose veins.
CVR’s board-certified physicians offer minimally invasive, in-office treatments that require little to no downtime and will get busy moms back to a normal routine after the procedure.
Call 1-800-FIX-LEGS or visit centerforvein.com for more information after post-pregnancy treatment for varicose veins. Treatment is covered by most insurances, including Medicare and Medicaid.
