A Patient’s Story - Varicose Vein Treatment
Reaping the Benefits of minimally invasive varicose vein procedure
versus traditional surgery
In 2002, Anita Davison of Manalapan was suffering from phlebitis in her left leg that made her foot, ankle and leg swollen and painful. The condition also exacerbated her varicose vein protrusion and chronic discomfort. At that time, her doctor performed surgical vein stripping, a procedure where the vein is surgically removed from the leg. The operation requires general anesthesia and post-operative recovery time can be long (up to two months) and painful. In addition, there are stitches to be removed and extensive scarring from the incisions required to remove each affected vein.
“I clearly recall that my leg was black and blue for weeks and I had long scars where the veins were removed,” Anita recalls. “It took almost two months before I was back to my regular routine.” For this mother of five active children, it was an especially frustrating recovery.
Eight years later, Anita faced painful varicose veins and swelling in her other (right) leg and dreaded having to face the vein stripping ordeal a second time. As her pain and discomfort increased, her primary care physician referred her to varicose vein specialist, Dr. Seun Sowemimo.
“He told me about a newer procedure that would get rid of the veins without requiring major surgery,” Anita explains. “I couldn’t believe it when he said I could go back to work the day after the procedure.”
Dr. Seun recommended the VNUS Closure® procedure, a minimally invasive, office-based treatment option that uses radiofrequency heat placed directly into the wall of the vein in the thigh to eliminate the varicose vein. Heating the vein causes collagen in the wall to shrink and the vein to close. After the vein is sealed shut, blood then naturally reroutes to healthy veins.
“Dr. Seun patiently answered all my questions in terms I could understand,” Anita recalls. “He had an upbeat, optimistic outlook that made me comfortable and ready to proceed.” After undergoing the hour-long procedure right in Dr. Seun’s office, Anita rested and then headed home. The next day, she was back at work, chasing after a two-year-old who is in her care. About two weeks later, Anita’s procedure and her varicose veins were just a distant memory.
