Varicose veins are the unsightly result of circulation problems. The top vascular specialist in NYC may recommend an ambulatory phlebectomy as a minimally invasive way to treat varicose veins. The outpatient procedure, also called a stab phlebectomy or vein phlebectomy, allows your doctor to remove the problem vein and redirect your blood flow to nearby healthy veins. If you’re concerned about your varicose veins, call the experts at the Downtown Vein & Vascular Center in Brooklyn for a fast, affordable phlebectomy procedure.
What Is Ambulatory Phlebectomy?
Ambulatory phlebectomy is a minimally invasive procedure to treat varicose veins. During the procedure, a top NYC vein doctor removes the diseased veins through tiny incisions made on your skin. The blood then finds another route through nearby healthy veins.
Varicose veins are twisted and discolored surface veins that develop when the one-way valves in the blood vessels malfunction. That causes blood to flow back and pool in the vein, so that it bulges. Varicose veins are more common in your legs.
Dr. Sergei Sobolevsky, an endovascular specialist, performs the phlebectomy procedure, also known as stab phlebectomy or micro-phlebectomy, at the state-of-the-art Downtown Vein & Vascular Center in Brooklyn. It’s not the same as an ambulatory phlebotomy. The removal of problem veins through ambulatory phlebotomy treats symptoms that include:
- Unsightly twisted and bulging veins on your legs or arms
- Skin discoloration
- Aching and heaviness in your legs
- Itching, burning or throbbing around the varicose veins
- Muscle cramping caused by blood clots
- Swelling and tenderness in your lower legs
- Pain that worsens with inactivity, like sitting or standing for a long period
How Does Ambulatory Phlebotomy Work?
The goal of ambulatory phlebectomy is to provide long-term relief from the symptoms caused by varicose veins. The procedure takes about 45 minutes to an hour. The main steps that your vein doctor performs in the vein treatment include:
- Identifying and preparing the target treatment area by sterilizing it
- Numbing the area around varicose veins with local anesthetic
- Making several tiny 2-mm incisions on your skin next to the bulging, diseased veins
- Using a phlebectomy hook with fine clamps to carefully remove the twisted vein while preserving the health of surrounding veins and tissue
- Severing the problem vein at either end
- Repeating the procedure for other varicose veins
Dr. Sobolevsky at the Brooklyn vein practice has performed thousands of minimally invasive procedures over the years, including stab phlebectomy. Other vein treatments that may work on varicose veins include:
- Endovenous laser ablation
- Endovenous radiofrequency ablation
- Endovascular therapy
- Sclerotherapy
- Vascular embolization
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Fantastic Results
Dr. Sergei treated my varicose veins with great success. I couldn’t be happier with the results. He was professional, kind, and answered all my questions. I highly recommend Dr. Sergei for anyone seeking vein treatment.
What’s the Recovery from Ambulatory Phlebectomy Involve?
Dr. Sobolevsky is a specialist in image-guided, minimally invasive vascular interventional radiology. After a phlebectomy to remove varicose veins, he and his team provide post-op care guidelines. After the procedure, you can expect to:
- Feel mild temporary bruising, discomfort and swelling at the site, although your doctor prescribes pain medication and anti-inflammatories
- Wear compression garments throughout the day for the first week, which reduces the pain and swelling and encourages blood flow
- Walk regularly and return to normal activities
- Avoid strenuous activities or heavy lifting for about two weeks
- Enjoy a fast recovery, as the incisions heal quickly without sutures
- See the incisions fade with time
To maintain your health and prevent future varicose veins, your vein doctor also offers guidance and suggestions to improve your overall vascular health, such as:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Exercise regularly
- Choose the right type of shoes, avoiding high heels
- Follow a low-salt diet
- Avoid long periods of inactivity
- Elevate your feet while sitting
- Avoid tight clothing
What Are the Benefits of Ambulatory Phlebectomy?
Vein doctors have refined varicose veins ambulatory phlebectomy for more effective treatment and recovery. The advantages of this modern vein treatment include:
- Vascular doctors use modern imaging equipment, such as ultrasound, for more precision during the phlebectomy procedure. This precision protects surrounding tissues and reduces the risk of complications.
- Minimum of discomfort. The vein doctor administers local anesthesia to numb the target treatment area. You stay awake during the procedure, but experience no discomfort.
- Long-term effectiveness. The removal of problem varicose veins relieves your uncomfortable symptoms like pain and unsightly veins.
- Improved body image. If you’re conscious about your veins, a stab phlebectomy of varicose veins may be your best treatment option. The incisions disappear with time to give you smooth, appealing skin.
- Best treatment for larger veins. Ambulatory phlebotomy is the best alternative to treat larger veins with damaged valves, often in your legs.
- Faster recovery. This minimally invasive vein treatment requires only tiny incisions on your skin that heal fast. The outpatient procedure doesn’t require a hospital stay. You can return to your normal activities right away.
- Prevention of complications. Removing diseased varicose veins prevents complications and the progression of vein disease, which ultimately leads to severe swelling, pigmentation, non-healing ulcers and blood clots.
- Favorable phlebectomy cost. The cost of the vein treatment is based on factors that include the experience of your chosen vein doctor, the location and the length of the procedure. Your health insurance covers the procedure if it’s medically necessary, but not if it’s just for cosmetic reasons.
Dr. Sobolevsky has over 24 years’ experience with minimally invasive procedures, including treating vein conditions. Using the latest techniques, he and his team serve all Brooklyn from their facility in Downtown Brooklyn. Contact the best Vein and Vascular Specialist in New York City.
I am Dr. Sergei Sobolevsky, a leading specialist in endovascular medicine. Having performed over 25,000 procedures throughout my career, I bring decades of experience in vascular and interventional radiology to my practice. I obtained my Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree from the University of Colorado School of Medicine in 1997 and completed my specialty clinical training in vascular and interventional radiology at Harvard University.
My dedication to excellence in patient care has been recognized through accolades such as being named a Castle Connolly Top Doctor and inclusion in the Top Doctors New York Metro Area lists for 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. With licenses in multiple states, I have also shared my expertise through presentations at various institutions in the US and abroad.
More About Dr. SobolevskyDowntown Vein Treatment Center
480 Court Street, Ste 101
Brooklyn, NY 11231
(718) 787-5559