OUR PROCESS
Dr. Magnant is one of just a few Board Certified Vascular Surgeons in the entire state of Florida and the only one in Southwest Florida whose practice is 100% dedicated to and singularly focused on the evaluation and treatment of vein disorders. Vein Specialists is committed to educating patients about the clinical presentations of venous insufficiency, the underlying causes and risk factors of venous insufficiency and the modern, minimally invasive treatment options available for venous insufficiency.
The following pages are general outlines of the treatment timeline at Vein Specialists for the average patient with symptoms of venous insufficiency.
INITIAL EXAM
In an effort to make your initial visit more efficient, we offer the option of filling out your paperwork by hand and mailing it back to the office (we can mail, fax, or e-mail at the time you schedule your appointment). Alternatively, you can take advantage of our secure internet patient portal and submit your medical and historical information to our HIPAA-compliant server. At the time of your initial visit, we kindly ask you that you arrive 20 minutes early to allow adequate time to complete your record and obtain any additional information and authorizations. We will review your historical information for accuracy, record your vital signs and carefully measure your legs for compression stockings.
ULTRASOUND EVALUATION
The majority of patients will be scheduled for an ultrasound of the lower extremities at a later date. The ultrasound will more clearly define the location and severity of your venous insufficiency (or leaky vein valves). The ultrasound exam requires about 30 minutes per leg and will be performed at Vein Specialists by our skilled registered vascular technologist, J. T. Jarrard. The results of the ultrasound exam are critical in determining the best treatment for your problem. Dr. Magnant will make every effort to see you after the ultrasound exam as soon as possible and may be able to see you on the same day as the exam if his schedule permits. He will discuss your ultrasound results during this follow-up appointment and explain which course of therapy is in your best interest. We encourage our patients to purchase compression hose and start wearing them on their first visit, as this will expedite their course of treatment.
DIAGNOSIS
The "gold standard" diagnostic examination for venous insufficiency is color duplex ultrasound. This examination will determine whether any deep or superficial vein clots are present. More specifically, this exam will determine the location, degree, and severity of venous insufficiency (leakiness in the valves of the leg veins). Ultrasound examinations are dependent on the skill and experience of the individual technologist. For this reason, we will not rely on another center's ultrasound to determine your treatment regimen. Our highly skilled and experienced vascular technologist, J. T. Jarrard, has been a Registered Vascular Technologist (R.V.T.) for many years and is one of the only Vascular Technologists in southwest Florida whose focus is 100% dedicated to the evaluation of venous insufficiency. As a result of this scientific approach, we will create a complete record of the insufficiency in all the veins of your legs and determine your best treatment options.
This approach enables us to make the most informed and appropriate treatment recommendations for your vein problems.
