From Shopper-News, Oct. 24, 2011.

Facelifts, tummy tucks, treatment of varicose veins… Far too often people lump these procedures together, mistakenly assuming that all are done exclusively for cosmetic reasons and that they are targeted to women.

The truth is, treating varicose veins is medically necessary, and the condition affects both men and women. Premier Vein Clinics patient James Craine is a good example.

“The varicose veins created painful knots in my legs,” said Craine. “I was in pain driving. I was in pain standing up. Then I was told that if I didn’t do something about the veins, I might eventually have to have my leg amputated. My personal physician referred me to Dr. Hugh Hyatt at Premier Vein Clinics, and I couldn’t be happier with the results.”

The board-certified surgeons at Premier are trained in the treatment of spider and varicose veins and venous disease, and can use that clinical experience to determine the best treatment option. Thanks to advancements in medical technology, most procedures require only a local anesthetic, take an hour or less, and have little or no side effects or down time. Seeking treatment sooner rather than later is important.

“James came to us in time to treat his varicose veins with simple, effective procedures,” said Dr. Hyatt. “We were able to attack the root of the problem rather than James having to later use a drastic procedure like amputation to alleviate the health risks and pain caused by his varicose veins. He’s now back to his active lifestyle, and that’s largely due to his willingness to come in and learn about our procedures and their effectiveness.”

Dr. Hyatt encourages anyone – male or female – suffering with spider or varicose veins to talk with their personal physician about treatment options available.