How to Choose a Varicose Vein Surgeon
If you have varicose veins, one of the first things you’ll want to do is locate a board-certified physician who is specially trained and experienced in a variety of effective ways to treat varicose veins.
Not all varicose vein clinics are created equal. There are plenty of clinics that are scams, interested in performing inappropriate or incomplete procedures that could cause more harm than good. Being able to spot these types of clinics and doctors is critical to ensuring you get the right treatment from a competent provider.
The following information should help you avoid scam clinics and make an informed decision on how to select the best physician to treat your varicose veins.
5 Tips for Selecting a Vascular Surgeon for Your Vein Treatment
1. Ask Around & Get a Referral
Talk with friends, neighbors, or family members who have had varicose vein procedures done and ask for their recommendations. Talk to your primary care physician to get names of doctors or clinics they recommend. You can also search online for varicose vein treatment in your area.
2. Look for Board Certification
Doctors who are board-certified will have advanced training in general surgery or in certain specialties, such as vascular surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, or interventional radiology. Board-certified physicians are recognized as experts in their field.
You can verify whether a doctor is board-certified on the American Board of Medical Specialists website.
Choosing a vascular surgeon who is board-certified can help ensure you receive the best and safest treatment available.
3. Perform Online Research
Look at the clinic or doctor’s website for information about their training and the services they offer. You should be able to find detailed information about the types of treatments available.
Search the doctor’s name to discover any information about prior malpractice claims or lawsuits, as well as their overall ability, training, and how long they have been in practice.
Read reviews from patients on websites, such as Google or Healthgrades, to get a feel for other patients’ feelings about the physician’s experience, knowledge, and overall quality of care.
4. Schedule a Consultation & Visit the Surgeon
After you’ve received names of recommended doctors, have researched their credentials online, and read patient testimonials about them, it is time to schedule a consultation with your first choice based on your research.
After you have met with the doctor, here are some factors to consider:
- How do you feel after your visit?
- Do you feel comfortable and confident in the doctor?
- Did you feel rushed during the visit?
- Was the facility clean, organized, and appear to be well-stocked with supplies and equipment?
- Did the doctor answer all of your questions?
5. Schedule a Second Opinion
Even if you had a great experience with the first doctor you met and feel comfortable about the treatment recommended for you, it is always a good idea to see if a different doctor recommends the same or a different treatment. Surgery is a big decision, and there is nothing wrong with consulting with several doctors to ensure you have found the right fit when it comes to choosing a varicose vein surgeon.
Varicose Vein Surgeon in Tampa Bay, FL
Taking the time to go through these steps can ultimately save you time, money, and possible future complications when you find a doctor with the appropriate credentials who has your best interests in mind.
To schedule a consultation with varicose vein surgeon Dr. Edward G. Mackay at Edward G. Mackay and Associates, LLC simply call (727) 781-5652 or request an appointment now. We are dedicated to providing customized varicose vein solutions for patients looking for the most advanced and effective treatments for vascular disease. We have three convenient locations in the Tampa Bay area: in Palm Harbor, St. Petersburg, and Largo, Florida.
