FAQ
Vascular surgeons are trained to treat all blood vessels in the human body outside the heart and brain. We are trained in minimally invasive or endovascular techniques as well as open surgery. Since we have all modalities of treatment available, we will not sway you to one treatment modality or another. We will offer the best treatment options for your particular problem.
Most well-trained specialists especially in a metropolitan area like San Diego are board-certified. That means we have received specialized training at accredited institutions, have passed all the required tests, and continue to maintain our certification with ongoing education. It goes without saying that you should always see a board-certified specialist.
FACS, or Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, is an honor given to certain physicians for meeting certain criteria in education, qualification, and ethics in their community.
A vein center is simply a commercial label for the public. All vascular surgeons treat varicose veins. Many “vein centers” do not employ vascular surgeons but other doctors who have taken courses outside their specialty to learn about varicose veins. Most do not offer surgery because surgery can/should only be performed by trained surgeons. Going to a vein center is not necessarily bad but some are more qualified than others. As with everything, do your due diligence.
Since there are countless insurance plans, the best way to ascertain your cost is to call your insurance company directly after we have obtained authorization. Deductibles, co-pays and what is covered can be vastly different between plans. We can provide the procedure codes that will need when you contact your insurance.
Not necessarily! There are many different insurance plans and most have their own dedicated vein treatment policy. We encourage you to review your vein coverage to educate yourself. The vein policy is typically listed on your insurance company’s website. They specifically delineate criteria for coverage. If you don’t meet these specific criteria (as arbitrary as they may seem), you will not be approved for treatment.
You can remove the dressing the day after your procedure and leave it off. Keep a dressing on if there is drainage from the wound and you want to protect your clothing. Typically, it is safe to shower the day after surgery with the dressing off.
Certain procedures require the use of 20-30 mm Hg stockings to optimize results. If not worn as directed, it is possible the procedure may need to be repeated.
Not typically. The veins we ablate or inject are usually permanently gone. However, your body can form veins over years in the same area. If it appears that the exact same vein treated is still there, contact the office for additional treatment.
Phone, fax, email, website and/or sending a message through your MyScripps portal are all acceptable ways of contacting us. If you have an emergency, call 911. If it is urgent, call the office and speak to the staff or have Dr. Rayan paged if after hours.
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