Varicose Vein Treatment
The Kavic Laser & Vein Center is your best Pittsburgh choice for varicose vein treatments.
Varicose Vein Removal in Pittsburgh
What is a Varicose Vein?
Varicose veins are abnormal bulging and ropey blood vessels that appear on the surface of the skin.
They are enlarged and tortuous.
These veins usually occur in the legs.
Varicose veins dilate when you stand or sit for long periods of time.
When the valves inside the veins do not close normally, the blood reverses direction.
Gravity pulls the blood in these veins toward the foot.
That is called venous reflux or venous insufficiency.
That is called venous reflux or venous insufficiency.
The pressure builds up in these abnormal veins.
The pressure causes the pain, ache and heaviness to become worse later in the day.
Swelling of the leg can occur as fluid leaks out of these vessels into the surrounding subcutaneous tissues.
The Cause of Varicose Veins
The cause of varicose veins is genetic.
It is an inherited disorder in most cases.
It is reported that up to a 25% of women and up to 20% of men will develop varicose veins during their lifetime.
If both of your parents had varicose veins, then your chances are up to 90% that you will eventually get varicose veins
Therefore genetics and heredity are believed to be the strongest reasons that people develop varicose veins.
Other risk factors include age, pregnancy, gender, obesity and occupations where standing is commonplace.
These factors increase your odds of having or developing this common disorder if you already have the genetic predisposition.
Varicose Veins Treatment
At the Kavic Laser and Vein Center in Pittsburgh, the preferred methods of treating large, bulging varicose veins are laser ablation, radiofrequency closure, phlebectomy and sclerotherapy.
When laser is used, the laser fiber is inserted inside the vein to seal the targeted vein with heat.
Phlebectomy (also called ambulatory phlebectomy) is the removal of bulging veins through tiny punctures made by a needle.
This is done after the veins have been numbed with a local anesthetic.
Sclerotherapy is the injection of a special FDA approved medication inside of the varicose veins.
Eventually, the treated veins are absorbed by your body and disappear.
The currently FDA approved medications are Asclera (polidocanol) and Sotradecol (sodium tetradecyl sulfate).
Many people are aware that hypertonic saline was used in the past. Because of the side effects and complications after using saline, it is rarely used anymore in this country.
New developments in the field of large varicose vein treatment include the use of foam.
When ordinary sclerosing solutions are agitated, it becomes thick like shaving cream.
When foam solutions are injected into large varicose veins, it becomes more effective and potent.
The treatment of smaller veins and spider veins with foam is limited because of an increased incidence of complications.
Most physicians who can perform ambulatory phlebectomy prefer it to sclerotherapy for most large varicose veins because of the lack of hyperpigmentation (brown discoloration), overall better cosmetic results and lower chance of recurrence.
While it is true that for many women, the appearance of varicose veins is often the reason for seeking treatment, patients often acknowledge symptoms such as aching, heaviness and fatigue.
They mistakenly attribute their symptoms to prolonged standing instead of the varicose veins.
People often believe that these symptoms are just a normal part of aging and are shocked at how good their legs feel after the abnormal veins are fixed.
The clinical results are excellent and in many ways superior to the traditional surgical approach.
With modern minimally invasive techniques, there is an almost immediate reduction of symptoms and improvement in appearance.
Results with the laser and radiofrequency techniques to eradicate varicose veins are extremely favorable.
The laser and radiofrequency treatment of varicose veins provide an extremely safe and effective alternative to those patients wishing to avoid surgical stripping for the treatment of their varicose veins.
Common Varicose Veins Symptoms
Ache
Pain
Tiredness
Heaviness
Swelling of the leg
Pain
Tiredness
Heaviness
Swelling of the leg
Itching
Cramping
“Charley-horses”
Restless legs
Cramping
“Charley-horses”
Restless legs
Varicose Veins Treatment at Our Vein Center
To ensure safety, the doctor’s office where varicose veins are treated must be inspected.
The Kavic Laser & Vein Center is the best choice in Pittsburgh for varicose vein treatments.
To obtain accreditation and pass inspection, a vein center must be in full compliance with strict national guidelines.
The comprehensive application process includes a rigorous review of the entire office staff as well as the facility.
Our Approach to Your Varicose Vein Removal
Dr. Kavic will perform the initial consultation, design your treatment plan and perform all of your vein treatments himself.
Here are our qualifications and credentials that differentiate us:
Board Certified
Fellowship at UPMC
Specializing in veins in the Pittsburgh area
General Surgery Residency at AGH
Certified in the VNUS Closure Procedure
Medical Executive Committee position at Clearfield Hospital
American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, AACS
American College of Phlebology, ACP
American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery, ASLMS
American Medical Association, AMA
Harvard Medical School Postgraduate Association
American Society of Transplant Surgeons, ASTS
Collin-Fannin County Medical Society
Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons, SLS
Resident Alumni Association, University of Pittsburgh
Texas Medical Association
He is the only vein doctor in our city with over thirty years of experience specializing in venous disease and varicose veins.
We are not a varicose vein franchise.
We do not allow nurses to perform your consultation on your initial visit or plan your treatments.
Your varicose vein treatments will not be delegated to others.
Dr. Kavic will follow you through the entire process.
We pride ourselves on this traditional one-on-one approach.
This individualized method of medical care is not the common method of practice of most of the other vein centers in the city of Pittsburgh today.
We accept and participate in the following health insurance plans:
All Highmark Blue Cross and Blue Shields
Anthem BCBS
PPO blue
Freedom blue
Security blue
Federal blue
All savers
Allwell
Aetna
Aetna Better health
Advantra
Cigna
Coventry
Devon
Gateway -but needs referral
Gateway Medicare Assured
Geha
GPA
Health America
Health Assurance
Humana
Humana military
Intergroup
Medical Mutual
Medicare
Medicare Railroad
Multi-Plan
Pa health and wellness
Private Insurances
Out of State Blue Card Program
Tricare
Tricare for life
Tricare Military insurance
Unison
United Health Care
United Health Community
United Mine Workers, UMR
Upmc PPO
Upmc for you
Upmc for Life, out of network
Western Pennsylvania Electric (WPEE)
Take the next step, contact the Kavic Laser and Vein Center today.
Take the next step, contact the Kavic Laser and Vein Center today.
Links to Important Medical Affiliations and Societies
Links to Important Medical Affiliations and Societies
Medical Accreditations
Dr. Kavic is associated with several medical societies and accreditation groups.
Medical Accreditations
Dr. Kavic is associated with several medical societies and accreditation groups.
