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Is surgery necessary for varicose veins?

Often women are embarassed to mention at a consultation that they have noticed swollen, painful veins on their vulva around the vaginal opening. They’ll often arise or get worse during pregnancy and improve around 6 months after the delivery. If they don’t, the best thing is to seek treatment as they’re probably not going to improve by themselves after this time.

Vulval varicosities can be on the vulva or run down the inner thigh. They often accompany varicose veins and can be treated in the same way. Here at Palm Clinic we will often use ultrasound guided sclerotherapy to treat vulval varicosities. So don’t put up with painful veins in the nether regions, there’s a simple solution. Just ask!

Is surgery necessary for varicose veins?

Surgery is no longer necessary to treat varicose veins. Modern techniques like endovenous laser ablation and ultrasound guided sclerotherapy are capable of treating all types of varicose veins regardless of size.

The advantage of non surgical techniques like laser and injection are that you do not need any form of general anaesthesia or sedation as they are almost painless procedures. You will be capable of returning straight back to work in the majority of cases and efficacy is not compromised.  In fact the early 5 year data for laser shows even better results than surgery.  So if you have been hanging on to your varicose veins because you didn’t want to have surgery you now have excellent non surgical options.

Varicose veins can develop during pregnancy, or pre existing varicose veins can become larger or cause problems. There are several possible reasons why pregnancy may contribute to varicose veins. Hormones released during pregnancy are likely to be a factor, as is the increased blood volume and circulatory effects caused by pregnancy. The womb and baby will press on the veins which can cause obstruction to the normal blood return to the heart causing the leg veins to become swollen and symptomatic. As well as affecting leg veins, veins around the vulva can become engorged and painful.

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Liposuction is a procedure performed under general anaesthetic to remove fat from the body.  It was devised by Dr Giorgio Fischer in Rome and refined by Dr Pierre Fournier in Paris.  Liposculpture is a term for liposuction when it is performed under a special type of local anaesthetic called tumescent anaestheisa which was devised by Dr Jeffrey Klein in California in 1987.

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Before and after male chest and abdomen liposculpture

Liposuction, or liposculpture, for men is surprisingly common and represents about 25% of my liposuction practice.

The most common areas treated in men with liposuction are abdomen, male chest, and love handles.

Before and after image of varicose veins treated with EVLA

Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) is the latest treatment for varicose veins.  It uses a laser fibre inside the abnormal varicose vein to cauterise and close the vein down instead of stripping the vein out surgically.  Endovenous laser treatment is performed under local anaesthetic only so you don’t need a general anaesthetic to treat your varicose veins and you can return to work the same day.

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Dermal filler, or Juvederm is one of my favourite tools to rejuvenate the face. I love the way it smooths lines or lifts sunken areas to make you look more youthful, while retaining a natural appearance.  I like that it doesn’t affect movement of your face so your expression remains unchanged. The one downside of dermal filler is that it can cause bruising. With the busy lives we all lead now, the downtime associated with bruising is sometimes unacceptable. Now, with the use of a “blunt cannula” we can freshen your face with dermal fillers with minimal risk of bruising. A great result, without the downtime.

Mandatory Information

JUVÉDERM®. ASK YOUR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL IF JUVEDERM IS RIGHT FOR YOU. JUVEDERM is an unfunded medicine device. Product and treatment costs apply.  JUVÉDERM® a class III medical device must be administered by a healthcare professional. Always read and follow the instructions. The JUVÉDERM® range of products is a smooth, clear, colourless gel that contains hyaluronic acid to help correct or enhance facial contours; to define, correct or enhance lips; or improve the tone, texture and hydration of the skin. It also contains lidocaine (local anaesthetic) which helps improve comfort to the patient during injection. JUVÉDERM® has risks and benefits. For more information, please read the Patient Information Leaflets available on request from Allergan Aesthetics by phoning 0800 659 912 or from allerganaesthetics.com.au/products. JUVÉDERM® VOLBELLA® VOLIFT® VOLITE™VOLUMA® and VOLUX™are registered trademarks and trademarks of Allergan an AbbvieCompany.

Acne scarring

Fraxel Dual is the best treatment

There is currently no better treatment for acne scarring than Fraxel Dual.  This is a fractional resurfacing laser which has minimal downtime and significantly reduces acne scarring and improves the texture of skin and reduces pore size.

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It’s probably varicose veins

Aching, tired or heavy legs are very common particularly at the end of the day or after exercise or prolonged walking.  Many people think this is normal but it usually means you have varicose veins.  With varicose veins the one way valves that keep blood moving from the legs back to the heart don’t work properly and this causes blood to pool in the lower legs.  The resulting stretching of the abnormal varicose vein causes the aching.

If you have these symptoms it is best to see a phlebologist (vein doctor) and have an ultrasound scan to assess whether treatment is necessary.  Modern treatments like endovenous laser and ultrasound guided sclerotherapy are simple and don’t require anaesthetic or time off work.

Is it varicose veins? Do you suffer from swollen, puffy feet and ankles whenever you fly long haul?

Flying and ankle swelling (oedema) commonly occur in people with underlying varicose veins.

The valves inside the veins do not work properly and this is exacerbated by prolonged sitting.

Activating the calf muscle pump by getting up and walking or doing in-flight leg exercises can help but the wearing of Compression Stockings is the most efficient way of helping reduce leg swelling (oedema).

Consulatation at Palm Clinic with Dr Sam Dunn

Why Palm Clinic?

Our highly skilled medical team treat you with care and understanding.

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Botox®  is a prescription medicine for the treatment of frown lines, horizontal forehead lines and crow’s feet round the eyes. Botox® has risks and benefits. Ask your doctor if Botox® is right for you. If you have side effects, see your doctor. You will need to pay for Botox® and clinic fees will apply. For details on precautions & side effects consult your healthcare professional or the Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) at www.medsafe.govt.nz. Botox® treatment lasts about 4 months and further courses of treatment may be necessary. Should only be administered by trained medical professionals.(Contains botulinum toxin A 50,100 & 200 units). Allergan (NZ) Limited, Auckland.

Juvederm Ultra™ & Juvederm Ultra Plus™ are medical devices Class III for the filling of medium size and deep facial wrinkles by injection into the skin and for creating definition and volume in the lips. Contains 24mg/mL. cross-linked hyaluronic acid. Juvederm has risks and benefits. Cautions: Use in an area that has been treated with another dermal filler, people with autoimmune disease, or who are pregnant, breastfeeding, under 18 years of age or have an increased susceptibility to keloid formation and hypertrophic scarring. People on blood thinning medicines. Possible side effects: injection site inflammatory reactions (redness/swelling, itching/pain on pressure) induration or nodules; discolouration; weak filling effect. If you have side effects or concerns speak to your doctor. Product and treatment costs will apply. Note: Juvederm treatment lasts about 12-24 months. For product information check with your doctor or product information at Allergan (NZ) Limited, Auckland.