When you hear the word “surgeon,” you may think that this highly-trained physician advocate for operative methods of treatment above all else. Your vascular surgeon does far more than that. They employ innovative diagnostics and treatments for all types of vein conditions in the lower extremities. The treatment you receive will be highly individualized.
Let’s talk about the treatments offered by a vascular surgeon and where you can go in FL for comprehensive treatment.
What Problems Does a Vascular Surgeon Address?
A vascular surgeon addresses diseases and malformations of the blood vessels that bring oxygenated blood to your organs and tissues and also return oxygen-poor blood to the heart and lungs for revitalization. Your blood carries the nutrients vital for life and the natural chemicals which run your body’s metabolic processes.
How Does Vascular Disease Happen?
Blood vessels can become sclerosed (hard) or occluded (blocked) due to genetics, trauma, age, smoking, sedentary habits, etc. Veins, in particular, become misshapen, swollen, and painful when their internal valves fail to operate properly, and blood remains pooling in the lower extremities. At this stage, people experience a wide range of symptoms, including bulging blood vessels, pain, fatigue, and swelling in the legs, feet, and ankles.
Vascular issues, such as varicose veins, can cause serious complications, such as leg ulcers, unsightly physical appearance, and life-threatening blood clots, if left untreated. That’s why your PCP may refer you to a vein doctor for expert assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.
What Vein Treatment Methods Are Available?
Surgical vein stripping was the primary option to remove the problem blood vessels and reroute circulation to healthier veins. However, today’s treatment choices are vastly different. While some people need surgery, many more do not.
In fact, your vascular surgeon will consider your symptoms, testing and imaging results, age, medical history, and co-existing health conditions. In most cases, the vein doctor does not hurry into complex open surgeries but instead formulates treatment plans based on:
- Exercise
- Losing weight
- Using compression wear
- Medications, vitamins, and supplements
- Smoking cessation
- Better nutrition
- Blood sugar control
Additionally, your vascular surgeon has many in-office treatments for varicose veins, smaller spider veins, May-Thurner Syndrome (an inherited vascular disorder), etc. These treatments can include:
- Radiofrequency ablation, which heats and closes small varicosities
- Endovenous laser treatments which reroute blood flow to better veins
- Sclerotherapy, injection of a chemical irritant to close off tiny spider veins on the legs, face, and other areas of the body
Where Is There a Vascular Surgeon Near Me?
Yes, there is a vascular surgeon near you in the Tampa, FL, area. Find him at Edward G. Mack MD and Associates.
Dr. Mackay is a dual board-certified vascular surgeon with years of experience in the best vein treatments available today. Also, he is fully involved in teaching other health care providers and has pioneered many effective medical treatments for vascular problems of all kinds and severities.
For more information or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Mackay, please call us at (727) 349-5652, or request your appointment online through our homepage. We have three locations in the Tampa area: Palm Harbor, Largo, and St. Petersburg, FL.
