Varicose Vein Removal Options Encinitas

American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine Diplomate in Encinitas discusses varicose vein removal

Varicose veins are one of those medical conditions that nobody likes to have because they make your legs unsightly and can cause discomfort in the lower legs, making your legs feel old and tired. Varicose veins can also lead to serious medical problems such as breakdown of the skin around the ankles resulting in skin ulceration. Therefore, varicose veins are a medical condition that needs to be addressed. Dr. Amanda Lloyd offers leading edge varicose vein removal options at the Skin & Vein Institute in Encinitas which do not require hospitalization.

Varicose Vein Removal, Dr. Amanda Lloyd at Skin & Vein Institute

Can varicose veins be removed safely?

This is a common question, since we presume that all veins are necessary to keep bodily tissues healthy. However, that is not the case. An adult has about 100,000 miles of blood vessels - arteries, veins, and capillaries. Each type performs a specific role. Large arteries carry oxygenated blood to small vessels called capillaries, which allow for oxygen to be delivered to your body's tissues. These small vessels then connect to veins which transport the oxygen depleted blood back to the heart and lungs.

Veins are not as thick and robust as arteries. They also differ in that they contain one-way valves to keep blood flowing toward the heart, resisting the force of gravity. Varicose veins occur when vein walls weaken, the valves malfunction and blood flows backwards pooling in the lower extremities.

Because the network of blood vessels is so vast, the body adapts easily to the removal of an abnormal vein. Flow of blood is simply re-routed to other veins that are functioning properly. Varicose vein removal does not deteriorate venous health. Rather, it improves the overall functioning of the cardiovascular system because the blood is redirected to healthy veins allowing it to return to the heart.

Less-invasive, faster recovery

Blood vessels, Dr. Amanda Lloyd at Skin & Vein Institute

There are several ways to treat varicose veins. The old method was with surgical vein stripping. You were admitted to the hospital, had your veins stripped out in the operating room under general anesthesia, and had to stay overnight. It was an invasive procedure, which fortunately, is no longer necessary due to the technological advances that have happened in the recent past.

Now, the main vein, or the greater saphenous vein, can be treated with endovenous laser ablation.

A laser is placed inside the vein
The vein is heated from the inside out
Heat causes the vein to close down by making the vein walls stick together
Your body takes it away naturally

It doesn't require hospitalization, and the procedure is done on an outpatient basis with local anesthesia and ultrasound guidance.

About half the time, we are fortunate to have the additional ropey branches close off after the endovenous laser treatment. However, in the remainder of cases, another procedure called endovenous chemical ablation is required. It is also an outpatient procedure that is very easy and effective. An IV is started and a sclerosing solution is injected under ultrasound guidance. The solution makes the vein walls sticky. The vein walls adhere together and then the body naturally removes the abnormal vein. This eliminates the bulgy, ropey veins from the circulatory system, allowing the blood flow to be redirected into the normal working veins, so that the blood is no longer pooling in the lower extremities.

Often, this results in improvement in the aching and swelling of the legs. However, the etiology of these symptoms is often multifactorial and venous disease is not always the primary culprit.

Minimal downtime

Aching and Swelling of the Legs, Dr. Amanda Lloyd at Skin & Vein Institute

The aftercare, for both endovenous laser ablation and endovenous chemical ablation, is very minimal. You are required to walk for an hour after each procedure, which is very different from the old way of surgical stripping. You must exercise every day and continue to lead your healthy lifestyle.

Prompt treatment is essential

Treating venous disease is something you should seriously consider if you have the large, bulging, ropey veins, as they can lead to serious medical complications if left untreated. Often, these procedures are covered by health insurance, as it is a medical problem.

The venous system can now be tackled with cutting-edge leading technologies, which Dr. Lloyd has in her office. Dr. Lloyd is a Diplomate of the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine, only eight of which are in the San Diego area, and she is the only one in North County. Dr. Lloyd performs all of the procedures herself. They are done under ultrasound guidance so that we know exactly what is being treated and that it is being treated correctly.

For more information on innovative, minimally-invasive varicose vein removal techniques, please call Skin & Vein Institute in Encinitas at (760) 642-6674 or email us at [email protected].

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Success Stories

Sarah B.

Originally posted on Google

Five star review originally posted on Google

Dr. Lloyd is amazing! She was able to get my skin better than it has ever looked. Her injectables are the best I have ever had and totally natural. So glad I found her!

Larissa S.

Originally posted on Google

I had the absolute best experience with Dr. Lloyd and her team. Dr Lloyd is so smart and skilled and her team was very professional, informative and kind. She and her team were also the sweetest to follow up with me the next day and a few after that. Top notch, cant recommend more!

Dr. Nancy

Originally posted on Google

The Skin & Vein Institute has everything that you will need when considering an excellent skin care facility. They have a fabulous spa-like office suite where you can watch videos on how-to take the best care of your skin, you can treat yourself to a cup of tea, or check out the new mini skin care items in the sample bowl!

Meet Dr. Amanda Lloyd

Dr. Amanda Lloyd is a respected Board Certified Dermatologist based in Encinitas, CA, with over 14 years of experience. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from UCLA Honors College and a medical degree from the University of Vermont College of Medicine. Dr. Lloyd completed her dermatology residency as chief resident at Baylor University Medical Center. She then was a fellow in Micrographic Dermatologic Surgery after which she became board certified in Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology. A Fellow of the American Society for Mohs Surgery, she is also a member of the AAD and ABVLM. An editor for JAMA Dermatology, Dr. Lloyd contributes to advancing dermatological knowledge. Her dedication to patient care and education underscores her trustworthiness and expertise.