Varicose Veins in San Francisco, CA

When you have varicose veins come to the surface of your skin, you have more than an aesthetic problem to conceal. You are dealing with bloated, painful veins that have stopped working properly because they are damaged and will continue to spread if left untreated. With expertise in microvascular surgery, our board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Charles K. Lee, diagnoses and treats varicose veins at L Plastic Surgery. Using state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and laser technologies, Dr. Lee can treat varicose veins that are causing you pain. 

As pressure within these veins increases, it will make the varicose vein more dilated and push it to spread on the legs and feet. This can put you more at risk for blood clots and inflammation, which can progress into more severe medical conditions. Dr. Lee recommends that you get treatment for varicose veins to eliminate the possible threat of a loose blood clot traveling through the bloodstream and into the heart or lungs causing a pulmonary embolism. Make your varicose vein appointment at our San Francisco, CA office to get started on your recovery.

When you have varicose veins, you have a condition called venous reflux. The surface vein that you see on your leg is probably the symptom of a larger problem with a deeper vein that has stopped working properly. Dr. Lee may want you to have an ultrasound on the leg with the varicose vein so that he can diagnose the condition effectively. Then, he will tell you if you have varicose veins and can give you recommendations on what to do next.

Under local anesthesia, we offer ablation techniques, microphlebectomies, sclerotherapy, and laser vein removal as treatments for varicose veins.

At L Plastic Surgery, we offer laser vein treatments with our Dornier laser to treat facial blood vessels, spider veins, and varicose veins.

Having facial blood vessels and spider veins are generally unwanted when it comes to aesthetics. Varicose veins on the legs, however, can be swollen and very painful (even to the slightest touch). Dr. Lee does not perform vein stripping at his practice. Instead, he uses several cutting-edge techniques, such as

• Endovenous ablation with a laser or radiofrequency energy
• Microphlebectomy for larger varicose veins
• Sclerotherapy in combination with a laser treatment

Dr. Lee can perform these techniques in an outpatient setting with a local anesthetic to provide relief from varicose veins with little downtime. As a microvascular surgeon, Dr. Lee has the technical expertise to perform all of the required, delicate maneuvers to treat veins effectively.

Dr. Lee can provide laser vein removal sessions in our San Francisco, CA office. Most appointments take 20 – 40 minutes, depending on the size and number of areas treated. During your laser vein procedure, you will relax in a private treatment room in a reclined position as the affected area is prepared. At your request, a topical numbing cream can be used before the procedure to reduce any discomfort. The handheld laser device is passed across the skin so the wavelengths can reach the veins with multiple pulses. The vessel absorbs the laser energy, which collapses and closes the walls of the veins. You will be allowed to leave right after the treatment to get back to your day.

What are my options for varicose vein removal?
While we have options in how your varicose veins are treated, we recommend the laser vein removal. Larger varicose veins such usually respond well to laser vein removal. In the event that your situation requires vein removal surgery, Dr. Lee will not offer laser treatments. We will help you determine your treatment method depending on your concerns and wants.

Does the vein go away?
When a vein is treated with a laser, the energy emitted from the laser will collapse the targeted vein only. Our state-of-the-art laser system works with precision so the surrounding skin and tissues are unharmed. Each vein that becomes a varicose vein will need to be treated individually. Each laser-treated varicose vein will be reabsorbed by the body and eliminated naturally as waste.

Is laser vein removal painful?
Before the procedure, we typically will apply a numbing cream on your skin. Most patients report feeling a snap or tingling sensation as the laser focuses on the vein. Most lasers, like the Dornier Laser our practice uses, is equipped with a built-in safety feature. This minimizes discomfort while also preventing the laser from becoming too hot, which can result in damage to your skin.

Living life with painful, swollen varicose veins can be a major burden on your life. At L Plastic Surgery, we can provide you with resources and information about your varicose veins and how Dr. Lee can treat them. If you would like to have a varicose vein consultation, please reach out to us at our San Francisco, CA office for an appointment.