Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLT)
If you suffer from bulging, enlarged, and painful varicose veins, you would benefit from EVLT. EVLT stands for EndoVenous Laser Treatment. No longer do individuals with this condition have to worry about having surgery to take care of this embarrassing problem. With the use of a laser, we can safely and effectively seal veins shut to prevent them from worsening and looking even more unsightly.
EVLT is safe, fast, and patients tell us that they don’t feel uncomfortable throughout the procedure. The alternative to this procedure is surgical litigation and stripping of the vein. Nearly 40% of women and 25% of men have varicose veins which may prevent them from wearing certain clothes or enjoying certain activities. If you have varicose veins, do you often find yourself stopping and thinking twice about wearing shorts, dresses, or skirts? Do you often find yourself staying home instead of going to the beach, going for walks, or swimming with your friends because you’re worried about how your legs will look? If that’s the case, you would benefit from our non-surgical varicosevein laser treatment.
There are many benefits to EVLT, such as:
- The procedure typically will take less than 1 hour.
- EVLT can be performed in our office.
- You can return to your normal, everyday activities the same day.
- You’ll have instantaneous relief from all of your symptoms.
- There is no heavy anesthesia or hospitalization necessary, as is the case with surgical procedures.
- You will have minimal to no scarring from EVLT.
About Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are a result of weakened vein walls and valves. There are many conditions which can cause the formation of varicose veins, such as pregnancy. The toned, elastic walls of the vein become weak and blood which should be flowing to your heart, flows backward in the vein and pools up. This build-up of blood damages the veins and causes them to become enlarged, twisted, and extremely painful.
EVLT Procedure
A lot of individuals likely have questions about the EVLT procedure and they wonder what exactly will happen. This procedure is a proven, minimally-invasive non-surgical treatment for varicose veins. It provides patients with immediate recovery with the use of a gold-tip laser fiber. This laser provides the patient with supreme comfort throughout the entire procedure. This special laser maximizes tip visibility under an ultrasound and prevents the fiber tip from coming in contact with the vein walls, thus further enhancing patient comfort and safety.
To put it simply, the EVLT laser is a concentrated beam of light which will target tissue with superb precision. This means that surrounding tissue around your veins isn’t effected, and you won’t have to experience any pain or days of healing following the procedure.
Below is a breakdown of the procedure:
- The doctor uses an ultrasound to map out your vein.
- The doctor will give you a local anesthetic in the area of the varicose veins.
- A thin laser fiber will be inserted into the vein via a tiny entry point, and it will emit a light which will seal the faulty vein.
- The procedure is finished in 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Afterward, you will be encouraged to walk around a little to help alleviate any temporary soreness you might be feeling. You are able to resume your regular daily activities, and can take over-the-counter pain relievers to help with any soreness which doesn’t go away after a few hours. This procedure is 98% effective at treating varicose veins in both men and women. It is typically covered by insurance providers.
EVLT Frequently Asked Questions
How Does the EVLT Procedure Work?
The specially-designed laser will target vein walls. The light will shrink and close them off so that blood will no longer move through them.
Is the Loss of This Vein a Problem?
No, there are a lot of veins in the legs. After the EVLT treatment, blood from the faulty veins will be redirected to normal veins and will make its way back to your heart.
What are the Complications With EVLT Procedures?
There are complications with any procedure, but there are minimal problems reported with EVLT. There are a small number of cases involving numbness.
Am I at Risk From the Laser?
No, you will be given a special pair of glasses which will protect your eyes in case the laser happens to misfire outside of your body.
Does My Insurance Cover EVLT Treatments?
Most insurance providers will cover EVLT, but you should contact your provider for more details.
What is the Alternative to EVLT Treatments?
The alternative to this treatment is surgical litigation and stripping. This involves surgical incisions to tie off and pull out the faulty vein. It’s performed under general anesthesia.
How Successful is EVLT?
EVLT has very high success rates, and is as effective as surgical treatment. It has proven to be 98% effective in men and women. Some additional therapy and treatment may be necessary.
Please make an appointment to learn more about EVLT. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
