Dr Markovitz at Virginia Vein Center explained to me that I would need three closure procedures to one, get rid of three varicose veins, and two, to to stop the aching, heavy, tired feeling in my right leg. That said, his procedures were not wholly cosmetic. He primarily focuses on closing off the great and small Saphenous veins. Superficial veins are treated afterwards by way of sclerotherapy . It would take six visits to get my work done. I opted to only treat the two Saphenous veins in my right leg because my left leg was not really a problem... it neither ached or had twisting bulging varicose veins, but supposed had bad valves... a surprise to find out there was even an issue at all. In any case, Dr. Markovitz told me my problems would disappear after treatments were complete.
The two surgical procedures implemented ultrasound to locate the diseased vein. Then a catheter was inserted up through the vein where pulses of heat then seal it off. This was a relatively easy procedure to endure. There were only a few uncomfortable moments which was expected considering what was being done. I was only asked to refrain from strenuous exercise for 48 hours. I was encouraged to walk however, and a full length compression sleeve had to worn for a week proceeding each treatment.
I was a bit concerned about my end results several weeks after my first procedure. I can't say I was seeing the results I was hoping for. Today, a month+ after my last procedure, I still feel the same way. Both of the veins that I was unhappy about are still present. Now, Dr. Markovitz tells me they will subside over time... that blood is probably still in the veins but that it will dissolve over time. Hmmmmm.... well, I sure hope so. The pain I was having isn't as discomforting as it was before, but isn't completely gone either. I spent near $5000 on this work out of pocket and perhaps for nothing. Ehhhhhh...
The sclerotherapy treatments were almost useless. As a matter of factly one the injections left me with a dark and firm area on my ankle to this day, which has been four weeks since my last office visit. I do not recommend these injections unless you are dealing with very fine spider veins. They will not work.
I don't question Dr. Markovitz's professionalism, or his ability to close veins. I think he and his staff are good with that. However, I do not think he paints an unrealistic picture of what your end result will be. You will not have legs like the models in his office literature, or website imagery. Expect your varicose veins to only reduce in their intensity, not diminish completely without a trace. I think that's the misconception that patients are given. For the money I spent I almost feel like my leg should be bionic. To think that he will most likely tell me I need more procedures means I could be spending upward of $7000 on one leg. That's a lot of money to be fully satisfied. I also felt like on our last appointment... the one for sclerotherapy... that he was not thorough in making sure all of my issues were followed up on. I never received a follow up communication from him or his staff to ask me about my results either. That spoke volumes to me.
Mildly recommended. read more