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 is a general outline 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.
OUR PROCESS
You will have the opportunity to view an educational video produced by Dr. Magnant about the historical and present-day treatments of venous insufficiency. Your time in the exam room will be about 30 minutes, half of which will be a one-on-one evaluation by Dr. Magnant. Your individual symptoms and concerns will be his top priority. During your time together, he will explain the physiology of venous insufficiency as it relates to your vein problem, what to expect over the course of your evaluation and treatment and the available treatment options. He will photograph you for your medical record, insurance documentation, and future comparison. All photos will be kept absolutely secure and will be used only to document your medical condition.
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.
OUR PROCESS
All insurance companies require a conservative trial therapy before considering the authorization of endovenous closure or microphlebectomy procedures. This course includes a period of elevation, compression hose, and analgesics such as Motrin or Advil. Please let Dr. Magnant or his medical assistant know if you have already had a previous trial of conservative therapy. Although compression hose offer only temporary relief from the high venous pressure in the legs caused by leaky veins, this conservative trial of therapy is an absolute requirement. The only exceptions to this rule are recurrent bleeding from varicose veins or active venous ulceration. Further details will be discussed at the time of your initial and follow-up visits.
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.