Rudy L, a 71 year old white male, came to us with prominent painful bulging subcutaneous varicose veins in his right lower leg, complaints of aching, cramping legs, leg swelling (edema), difficulty sleeping, exercise intolerance and difficulty standing on his feet. He reported a positive family history of vein problems. During our evaluation, we determined that Rudy’s problem excluded complaints of intermittent claudication – a condition in which there is cramping pain in the calf and leg muscles induced by exercise and relieved by rest. It is important to rule out Intermittent claudication as it is a symptom of PAD or Peripheral Arterial Disease and requires a totally different treatment strategy. What we find is that many patients diagnosed with PAD actually have venous disease, resulting in years of mismanagement and needless suffering.

It appeared from Rudy’s history and physical that his varicose vein problem was secondary to an underlying condition caused by damaged one-way valves in his deep veins called chronic venous insufficiency or CVI. We proceeded to perform an ultrasound evaluation using our customized equipment that is highly accurate in detecting the exact areas of pathology. During this painless diagnostic vein ultrasound procedure, we determined that Rudy’s problem was due to incompetence of his right subfascial venous perforators and great/small saphenous vein systems. Rudy underwent varicose vein surgery in our office vein center. During his procedures, he remained awake and comfortable. Following a short recovery, Rudy was very pleased with the results. His right leg varicose veins, venous disease and associated symptoms were successfully eliminated.

Rudy L, the patient, had this to say…

Dr. Joyce and his staff were very professional and attentive. The most challenging part of the whole process for me was wearing support hose.  The surgery itself was relatively pain free. Thanks to everyone at the Joyce Vein & Aesthetic Institute.” –Rudy L.

Douglas H. Joyce, D.O. & JVAI Featured on FOX4 HealthNow for Vein Treatment

State-of-the-art vein treatment at JVAI offers you a Permanent Cure for Venous Disorders that keep you from living the life You love…

We know how painful, unsightly venous disorders from spider veins, varicose veins to leg ulcers and other serious venous disease can compromise the quality of your life. At JVAI, we make it our mission to heal your underlying problem with state-of-the-art treatments that are safe, effective, affordable and convenient.

How JVAI is different from cosmetic vein treatment centers…

Cosmetic vein treatment centers not operated and staffed by Board Certified Phlebologists (venous disease experts) are not equipped or capable of diagnosing or treating underlying venous pathology.

The first and most important step when seeking spider vein and varicose vein treatment is to understand the cause of the condition. It is not uncommon for podiatrists, dermatologists, internists and other practitioners to take a weekend training on cosmetic treatment for spider and varicose veins and add vein treatment to their list of services. Problems caused by high pressure causing a backward flow of blood toward the legs are not eliminated by cosmetic vein treatment procedures.

Had Rudy L gone to a cosmetic vein treatment center, he would still be suffering from underlying venous disease.

Hopefully with Rudy’s symptoms, physicians in a cosmetic vein center would have referred him to a phlebologist or vein specialist. Had Rudy been treated for a cosmetic varicose vein problem only, he would have paid the entire amount out of his pocket and would be very unhappy when in a short amount of time, varicose veins appeared in other parts of his legs. He would still be suffering from leg cramps, pain, leg swelling and would likely develop more progressive symptoms such as a venous stasis leg ulcer, brownish leathery-looking skin on his legs and even cellulitis or infection of the tissue surrounding a leg ulcer.

Cosmetic spider vein treatment at JVAI vein treatment center is designed to identify and treat underlying venous disease, when it is present…

At JVAI, many patients come to us for cosmetic treatment of their spider veins and varicose veins. When it is determined that there is no underlying venous disease, we provide cosmetic spider and varicose vein treatments alone through laser, sclerotherapy and microphlebectomy procedures. Douglas H. Joyce, D.O., JVAI’s founder and owner is a triple board certified vascular surgeon, general surgeon and phlebologist (vein specialist). Through state-of-the-art vascular surgery for venous disease, he has pioneered procedures and developed surgical techniques that raise the bar for vein treatment – taking it from a hospital procedure requiring general anesthesia with a much longer recovery to a quick and painless office procedure with the patient awake and recovering in just a few days. An accurate diagnosis using specialized ultrasound technology that we customized, allows us to define the exact pathology and procedures for correcting the problem. Our diagnosis and treatment of venous disease is generally covered by Medicare and private insurance.

We cured Rudy L of his varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency or CVI, and we can help you too. Whether you are bothered by the unsightly appearance of your veins or are seeking a proper evaluation and treatment for symptoms of a more serious problem, contact us. Your evaluation and treatment is often covered by insurance and Medicare.

Request a varicose vein treatment appointment that will end your suffering and give you back the quality of life you deserve.

When Nancy A., a 57 year old woman, came to us with prominent, painful, bulging varicose veins in both legs, we suspected that she had serious underlying venous disease. Besides her varicose veins with spontaneous bleeding from a vein in her right leg, Nancy’s symptoms included spider veins, leg swelling, lower extremity skin thickening, and complaints of leg cramping, pain and problems with prolonged standing and walking as well as sleeping. An ultrasound confirmed incompetence in her venous perforator and saphenous vein systems. Her varicose vein treatment corrected these problems during office procedures in which she was awake and comfortable. Nancy readily recovered with a complete elimination of her spider veins, varicose veins, venous disease and associated symptoms.

How Venous Disease Begins

Two systems of veins in the legs, the surface or superficial veins and the deep veins, allow for the proper movement of blood back to the heart. The superficial veins lie just under the skin. The deep veins lie within the large muscles of the leg. The two vein systems are connected by short veins called perforator veins. All of the veins have valves to maintain one way flow. When you walk or exercise, your calf muscles squeeze large deep veins and pump blood out of your legs towards your heart.

With proper function of the valves, the venous system of your legs is designed to overcome the effects of gravity and pump blood out of your legs towards your heart where it picks up a fresh supply of oxygen. When valves in the superficial and deep veins become incompetent, gravity reverses the flow of blood back towards the feet. Ultimately, this produces an increased blood pressure in the surface veins of the leg. Incompetent veins in the superficial and deep veins can produce spider veins, varicose veins, leg swelling, leg ulcers and serious infection.

Signs of Venous Disease

One of the first signs of venous disease and the need for vein treatment is distention of the delicate superficial skin veins or spider veins. With progression of the disease, there is dilation of the larger veins resulting in varicose veins. Pressure from distended larger veins on nerves results in aching pain and night cramps. Often patients report unusual sensations described as “water flowing down the legs” or “crawling feelings on the skin.” Swelling or edema occurs from a leakage of water into tissues from the dilated veins. Blood may also leak out as the pressure increases. This produces a brownish skin discoloration. The disease compromises the normal exchange of nutrients and wastes at the level of the capillary beds. This causes a thickening of the skin and/or death of tissue resulting in a venous leg ulcer. Another serious consequence of this type of venous disease is infection of the skin or cellulitis.

Sometimes venous disease begins with a traumatic leg injury or a spider bite that is resistant to healing in patients as young as their teens. Patients may attribute their tired, aching legs, exercise intolerance and other symptoms to an injury or just to getting older. The result is often years of misdiagnosis and mismanagement with one treatment failure after another. Regardless of when or how our patients find their way to JVAI, their experiences are overwhelmingly positive. You can read about them on our website in page after page of vein treatment testimonials that document our results and the impact on patients’ lives. Learn more about Varicose Veins Treatment and Venous Stasis Ulcer here.

Nancy, Our Patient Had This to Say:

“When I came to the Vein Institute, I had bulging, bleeding veins and my legs always had cramps and swollen ankles.  I was very self-conscious about how my legs looked and avoided many activities.  Now that my treatments are completed, my legs look and feel so much better.  I can enjoy many physical activities, which I had given up!  I feel like I got my legs back, and more important, my life back too!  Thank you Dr. Joyce and your wonderful staff!” –Nancy A.

Many patients do not realize that varicose veins like Nancy’s are almost always due to untreated venous disease. Varicose vein treatment and procedures that treat and CURE spider veins, leg ulcers, and chronic venous insufficiency are performed at JVAI in an office procedure with minimal discomfort and recovery time.

We cured Nancy of her venous disease problem and we can help you. If you have bulging varicose veins or other symptoms of venous disease, contact us for an evaluation that is often covered by insurance and Medicare.

Request a varicose vein treatment appointment that will end your suffering and give you back the quality of life you deserve.

Maria L., a 55 year old female, came to see us at JVAI because of painful, bulging varicose veins with associated swelling and discoloration in her left lower leg – symptoms that impacted her overall quality of life. Maria reported a history of phlebitis and DVT (risk factors for venous disease). Through laser ablation, we provided Maria with a permanent cure that eliminated all of her symptoms, her underlying venous disease problem and gave her back a quality of life she thought was gone forever.

Treatment Summary:

This 55 year old white female with a history of phlebitis and DVT, presented with aching, heavy left leg complaints along with swelling, discoloration and prominent painful, bulging, subcutaneous varicose veins. Symptoms of classic claudication (associated with PAD) were absent. Moderate hemosiderosis (brownish discoloration associated with venous hypertension, insufficiency and stasis) was present on her left inner ankle. She reported using compression stockings and elevating her legs when possible. Clinical and ultrasound exam were positive for left lower extremity varicose veins, chronic venous insufficiency, inflammation, and stasis dermatitis.

The patient underwent laser ablation procedures at JVAI to correct saphenous vein incompetence and perforator system pathology. Treatment at JVAI resulted in elimination of the varicose veins with other associated symptoms and a complete reversal of her left leg venous insufficiency. –Douglas H. Joyce, D.O.

Maria L., the patient had this to say…

It is my PLEASURE  to write how satisfied I was with my results after venous laser surgery on my left leg.  I was ‘SO SKEPTICAL’ regarding having any kind of procedures to correct my  horrible varicose veins after having a blood clot in that leg.  To be truthful, I didn’t think it could be fixed, I thought the damage was too great. I thought I would have to ‘just live with’ the swelling, awful ‘pressure feeling’ and ‘aching’ when standing.  Dr. Joyce truly is skilled at what he does.  I have been showing my friends my before pictures and my after leg now and they are impressed to say the least!  I can’t say enough good comments. Joni is a great asset—she explains everything. The staff is friendly, professional and courteous.. — Maria L

More about Varicose Veins and Venous Disease…

Varicose veins can be a sign of serious underlying venous disease that can greatly compromise quality of life. Patients with a history of phlebitis and DVT are at higher risk for developing venous disease. Other symptoms may include spider veins, leg pain, leg swelling, leg ulcers, poor sleeping and difficulty walking and standing. Varicose veins can be cured in a state-of-the-art office procedure. Vein treatment procedures for spider veins, varicose veins, venous leg ulcers, and chronic venous insufficiency are performed at JVAI in an office procedure with minimal discomfort and recovery time.

Because of his reputation as a leader with a track record for curing venous disease, patients come from all over the country to be treated by Dr. Douglas Joyce—a vein treatment specialist who has pioneered and clinically proven his own surgical techniques that safely and effectively treat venous disease in the office with the patient awake and comfortable.

We cured Maria L. (above) of her varicose vein venous disease problem and we can help you. Request a vein treatment appointment that will end your suffering and give you back the quality of life you deserve.

Varicose veins from long term underlying venous disease as in this case, and many other types of venous disease can be cured with our state-of-the-art surgical vein treatments performed right in our office.

Case Summary: Since he was eighteen years old, this 63 year old man with an active life style suffered from painful, budging varicose veins in his legs that had gotten progressively worse. His quality of life was severely compromised by leg swelling, cramping, itching, poor sleeping and an inability to tolerate walking or standing on his feet for any length of time. The patient was reluctant to seek treatment because of his fear of a long and painful recovery. His motivation for varicose vein surgery was motivated by pending plans to retire and open a diving business. He was diagnosed with varicose veins secondary to underlying venous disease. Dr. Joyce explained how the treatment would be done in about 15 – 20 minutes within the office with a needle stick procedure that would allow him to resume his normal activity immediately and without significant post-operative pain.

Once treatment began, the patient reported a great level of satisfaction with his treatment experience. He actually said he looked forward to his appointments where his procedures were fast and painless and where he was provided with compassionate, personalized care in a relaxed and comfortable state-of-the-art setting. He no longer suffers from budging varicose veins with all the associated symptoms that severely impacted his life prior to varicose treatment at JVAI. Both legs appear completely normal and the patient is looking forward to his diving business and a quality of life he has not experienced since he was young.

Many patients do not realize that varicose veins are a form of venous disease that can be cured in an office procedure. Other symptoms of venous disease may include spider veins, leg pain, leg ulcers, skin thickening, leg swelling, poor sleeping and difficulty walking and standing. Vein treatment procedures for spider veins, varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency are performed at JVAI in an office procedure with minimal discomfort and recovery time.

For over 40 years, this 63 year old patient suffered from venous disease that was cured at JVAI. His varicose vein treatment gave him a quality of life he had not experienced for most of his adult life. Let us help you like we helped him.

JVAI is conveniently located in Punta Gorda, FL close to Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Naples and Marco Island. Patients come from all over the US for state-of-the-art vein treatment by Dr. Joyce, a triple board certified surgeon and phlebologist who has set a new standard in vein treatment and teaches his state of the art venous surgical techniques to physicians every month.