What to Expect During Your Visit

Step 1: Initial Visit/Referral

To schedule a consultation visit with one of our physicians, please call 310-825-4357 or use our online form(Link is external) (Link opens in new window) to request an appointment. Our friendly, professional staff will work with you in selecting a date and time for your consultation.

Step 2: Consultation and (Possible) Ultrasound Study

For your consultation visit, we ask that you check in 15 minutes before your scheduled time.

To expedite your check-in process, you may want to complete the patient history screening form(Link downloads document) (Link opens in new window) in advance and bring it with you to your visit.

This form requires Adobe Acrobat. For a free copy of this program, please visit Adobe Acrobat website(Link is external) (Link opens in new window).

An ultrasound study may be necessary to accurately and thoroughly assess the veins causing the symptoms you are experiencing. The ultrasound will be performed on one or both legs, depending on your symptoms. This study takes approximately 30 to 60 minutes to complete.

Following the ultrasound test, your physician will discuss the results of the test with you and determine the appropriate treatment plan. Recommended treatments may include conservative treatments, radiofrequency ablation, microphlebectomy, or sclerotherapy.

Step 3: Treatment Scheduling

Once a treatment plan has been established, you may need to schedule an appointment for the procedure discussed with your physician. Our helpful staff will assist in coordinating a date and time that will fit well with your schedule as well as our physicians’ availability.

Allergies: Please notify our staff if you have any allergies to an oral sedative or a sterilizing solution.

Our staff will submit an authorization request to your insurance carrier. Please make sure that our office has your most-current insurance information. Authorization from insurance companies can take 5 days to several weeks depending on your insurance carrier. We cannot perform the procedure prior to receiving authorization from your insurance company. If you are a self-pay patient, that is, you plan to not submit a claim to your insurance, please call 310-825-4357 to discuss the costs of the procedure.

Patients scheduled to have a procedure requiring an oral sedative will not be discharged without a driver present. Please make appropriate arrangements prior to the day of your procedure.

Step 4: Day of the Procedure

You do not need to fast for your procedure. In fact, it is recommended that you have a small breakfast or light lunch before the procedure, as you may be given an oral sedative to reduce tension and anxiety.

1. Depending on your procedure, you may be asked to arrive 15 to 60 minutes before your scheduled procedure time.
2. You will check in at the front desk and a nurse will be notified of your arrival
3. You will be taken into an exam room to change into a patient gown.
4. A nurse will check your vital signs (blood pressure and temperature) and administer theoral sedative, if called for.
5. A brief ultrasound will be performed to identify and mark the best access site for your physician.
6. Your leg will be cleaned with a sterilizing solution. Your physician will perform the treatment. 

There is a recovery time after the procedure, between 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the procedure you will have done. After the procedure, the nurse will once again check your vital signs and answer any questions you might have before discharging you.

You will will not be discharged until your driver has arrived to take you home. Patients given an oral sedative will not be allowed to drive themselves home.

Step 5: Follow-Up Ultrasound

Patients who undergo radiofrequency ablation procedures are required to return to the office 24 to 72 hours after the procedure for a 30-minute follow-up ultrasound. Your post-operative ultrasound appointment will be made after your procedure, if necessary.

Step 6: Follow-Up Visits

Your physician may want to see you two to six weeks after your procedure to review your progress and determine if further treatment is needed.