Wave goodbye to Spider Veins!
Welcome to CENTRAL TEXAS VEIN CENTER, the practice of Dr. Andrew Hansen, a board certified cardiovascular surgeon treating venous disease for over 30 years. Dr. Hansen is a recent recipient of the 2011 Readers' Choice Best Vein Center Award, and has received the Best of the Brazos Valley Award for vein services for the past 3 years.
CENTRAL TEXAS VEIN CENTER specializes in the latest treatment of varicose veins and its complications,treating the entire spectrum of venous disease. Whether you have spider veins, varicose veins, or venous ulcers, we can provide cosmetic and therapeutic options.
We are the first in the Brazos Valley to offer this minimally invasive technology called the VNUS™ ClosureFAST™ in an office setting. No longer are you required to go to the hospital and have a general anesthetic and vein stripping. We perform the Closure™ Procedure in our office with local anesthesia and you are able to return to normal activities, eliminating the down time associated with older approaches as there is little or no recovery. We also offer a full line of compression stockings and excellent diagnostic ultrasound to complement our surgical care.
Most patients are able to drive themselves home after treatment and any discomfort is easily relieved with over the counter medications. One of our patients, a golf professional, had a procedure in the morning and taught golf lessons in the afternoon.
Central Texas Vein Center FAQ
Q: How long has the Veinwave system been available?
A: The Veinwave has been used in Europe for over 8 years where over 1,000 physicians are enjoying the results every day. American physicians saw the technology at international conferences and there has been building demand for the system. Therefore, the FDA recently cleared the Veinwave system for sale in the USA.
Q: How does Veinwave work?
A: The Veinwave system uses an important collection of proprietary technologies to effectively thermocoagulate telangiectasia and spider veins. The process causes the blood vessels to heat up to a point where the vessel walls collapse.
Q: Does the treatment hurt?
A: Some patients have a mild discomfort, but it is very tolerable - especially compared to electrolysis, laser, or intense pulsed light treatments. It is not necessary to use any anesthetic needed for the Veinwave procedures. In fact, it is advised to NOT use anesthetics becase they can cause undesired vasodilation (widening of the vessels).
Q: How long until patients can resume normal activity?
A: Because the Veinwave is not using photocoagulation (such as laser/light-based energy) , the patient may immediately return to normal activity, including normal sun exposure. While you can apply makeup over the treated area, it is recommended that you do so lightly to enable the skin to breathe and recover.
Q: How does the treated area look afterward?
A: Most vessels almost completely disappear immediately after treatment. Some people have a response that resembles a "cat scratch" - with a pinkness which will quickly subside. The tiny "micro-scabs" will flake away over the next few days. In some cases, they may appear darker after treatment. This will dissolve by the same process (and over the same time) as a bruise resolving. In patients who have a history of strong flushing or histamine reactions, the doctor may use a topical steroid.
Q: Is it necessary to wear compression hose or bandages as a result of a Veinwave treatment?
A: It is never necessary to wear any compression garments.
Q: Will this treat mattes of spider veins?
A: Absolutely! Some of the best results come from treating the mattes that were actually caused by sclerotherapy injections or similar treatments. The tiny vessels are difficult to treat with lasers and other technologies, but the Veinwave provides a very high level of patient satisfaction.
Q: Once an area has been treated, does the vein come back?
A: For the vessels that were correctly treated, the body's processes it as an unwanted debris and it eventually dissolves/fades away (like a bruise). Your health, metabolism and other factors will dictate how long this takes. Although the coapted vessels are gone forever, this does not prevent new ones from forming.
Q: How soon will my symptoms improve?
A: Many patients notice immediate relief of symptoms such as pain, leg heaviness, and fatigue. The full benefits of the procedure may take 1-2 weeks.
Q: Does Veinwave work on rosacea?
A: The Veinwave has been widely used outside the USA for rosacea, but has not yet been cleared by the FDA for this. The European physicians find the Veinwave is very successful at removing the symptoms of rosacea (removing the vascular areas), but not actually curing the disease. The number of treatment sessions depends on severity of the disease state.
Q: How precise is the Veinwave treatment?
A: The tiny probe that touches the skin is only 0.002 to 0.003 inches and is micro-insulated to protect the surrounding tissue.
Q: Can I have Veinwave treatment if I have a sprayed-on suntan or makeup in the area being treated?
A: These should be discussed with your practitioner since there is a slight potential for an adverse effect.
Q: How is the Closure procedure different from vein stripping?
A: During vein stripping, incisions are made in the groin and calf, and a stripper tool is threaded through the diseased vein, to pull the vein out of the leg. With the Closure procedure, only one small incision is made at the insertion of the site and the vein is then closed and left in place. This minimally invasive approach eliminates pain and bruising associated with vein stripping surgery.
Q: What if I need the vein for bypass surgery in the future?
A: The Closure procedure treats diseased veins only, which are not appropriate of bypass surgery. Physicians can use other healthy vessels should bypass surgery be necessary.
Q: Is the Closure procedure covered by insurance?
A: Most major health insurers cover the Closure procedure. Your physician can discuss your coverage further at the time of consultation.