Insist on the Fairy Tale

Celebrate Paris in Birmingham!

Guinot is here! Our new skin care line from Paris, featuring the "non-surgical facelift facial" An exclusive Guinot treatment, Hydrodermie uses ionization to make your skin look brand new! 205.824.6334

Cosmetic surgeons say it is less expense and more natural looking.

Cosmetic surgeons say it is less expense and more natural looking.

Simultaneous Vein and Cosmetic Procedures

Many patients are requesting this combination, which has proven to be very good for our patients. Possibilities include spider vein treatments and botox, major laser vein ablation and liposuction, face lift and leg vein treatments. Many many happy patients are leaving our Centers after these the combined treatments. Numerous bargains are offered in addition.

When CAn I Exercise after Vein Treatments

Use good judgement, but most of our patients may exercise beginning one week following the major vein laser treatments. There is no downtime following spider vein treatments. The safety RULE: Wear your compression stockings while exercising up to 2 to 4 weeks after your procedure, depending upon the vigor of your work-out.

Blood thinners and Vein Treatments

Common question: "Can I be treated if I am on coumadin or plavix or aspirin?" The answer is unequivocably YES. Coumadin may be stopped for two to four days before the vein procedure, or not be stopped at all, depending upon the reason for the medication. Plavix and aspirin may be continued. Your doctor and his staff will tell you exactly how to manage your blood thinner. The results of treatment are excellent, we treat many patients on blood thinners every week.

Lessons from Miami Vein meeting

The lasers used to treat our patients are among the very best in the world. This was confirmed at the meeting. Our experience is among the very top in the world. We are famous for the extra care we give to our patients, such as personally taking each of our patients to the car after the laser vein procedure.

At meeting to find anything new for you

Arrived to Miami Beach to attend a vein meeting. I will look for anything new for you, and will report. If there is anything good, I will bring back home for your treatments. I arrived late, but Miami Beach is hoppin'. Will keep you informed.

pills and creams to eliminate varicose and spider veins

I heard an ad on the radio this morning about a cream to eliminate varicose and spider veins. As your friend and specialist who knows veins, I will tell you to please do not waste your money. Creams and pills and juices and any potion simply will not work to eliminate veins of any type. There is no science behind these gimmicks, these are scams to take your money plain and simple. When and if there is ever a legitimate cream, I will tell you, and will have boxes full in my office for you. I will always be sure you receive the very best treatment available in the world.

Sacrifice the vein? What about heart surgery?

Common question, even doctors do not understand well. The abnormal saphenous vein is responsible for most bad leg veins, and we laser this vein closed. This vein should not be used for heart or any arterial bypass. The incompetent vein is abnormal, weak, and dilates too easly with artery pressure. A large dilated vein will clot and shut down within 3 to 6 months. Never allow this vein to be used for bypass, or you will need another surgery within a few months.

What is Sclerotherapy?

Difficult word, but so important in today's modern vein treatments. Sclerotherapy is the injection of veins to eliminate them from the circulation. Fairly large veins and the smallest spider veins can be treated with sclerotherapy. The most common use for sclerotherapy is the treatment of unsightly spider veins. Very small 30 guage needles and a special solution (not saline) are used to eradicate the spider veins. Lasers are not as good as injections by our experience and that of many other vein doctors. The skill of the one doing the injections often determines the results. We are pleased to have the very best in the U.S. in our practice. Take advantage.

The Vein Specialist

I am frequently asked by patients "what is a vein specialist?" In brief, a vein specialist is a doctor, physician's assistant, and nurse or medical assistant whose work is primarily the vein circulation. Our "Vein Center" is unique in that all of our doctors are Board Certified phlebologists (vein specialists), and we take care of vein patients and their problems full time. Most doctors do part time vein work. Our doctors have a lot of experience with other operations, but now focus entirely on the vein circulation.

compression stockings

I had several calls today - I give to patients my cell phone number - regarding the compression stockings. For your info and interest, we offer the very best medical grade compression stockings in the world, at wholesale prices. Questions were about when to wear the hose after surgery, easily answered for we advise only two weeks after the procedure.
Compression stockings are difficult to "don", put on and take off. Patients hated the hose. Therefore I obtained samples from every company in the world, and I wore them for three months - unknown to my staff. I changed company hose each day. The very best were Bauerfeind, not well known in the U.S. I flew to the manufacturing plant in the old Eastern Germany. Such a surprise. Terrific plant, very nice German people, and the most strict standards of quality I have witnessed in a long time.
Wear them frequently as I and my staff do daily. We sell them from the office - cheap for the quality. Wear them when traveling, for there is a 4% risk for leg blood clots while traveling, far too high. 4 of 100 travelers, scares me, I wish to make an announcement on the plane each time I fly.
Message for you: Be a good patient, wear the stockings, you will be so pleased.

Atlanta Vein Clinic

We performed 11 operations in our Atlanta Vein Clinic the past two days. Our Atlanta patients are really enjoying nice results, and are sending more and more patients to us for evaluation and treatment. Doctors in Atlanta are beginning to recognize our presence there. Emory University doctors whom we trained are referring patients each week. I really enjoy Atlanta and the vibrancy of the city, so much to see and do. Looking forward to more time there as we see more and more patients.

Vein Ulcers, Wound Care

I just operated on a sweet lady from Montgomery. She suffered a vein stasis ulcer on her ankle for 22 years, so very sad. She has been treated in a wound center for the past one and one-half years, skin grafts have been placed, she has much scar tissue from her treatments. ALL SHE NEEDS IS PROPER VEIN TREATMENT, AND THE WOUND AND ULCER WILL HEAL WITHIN 2 TO 4 MONTHS! After her surgery this morning, she was taken home by her family. I will chronicle how fast the ulcer heals. 93% of these vein ulcers never re-occur. Such a shame these patients are not referred for proper vein treatment. Soon I will post her photos on the web site.

Third Thursday at Tivoli Spa a Popular Success!

Really appreciate all those who attended the THIRD THURSDAY event this past week at the Tivoli Med Spa. "The Truth About Lasers" was the theme, well received and educational as reported by attendees. Terrific food, low calorie, by Kay Reed of Cafe Iz. Great lady clothes by Lucca of Orange Beach. Lots of door prizes and special deals won and presented. Our vascular and vein staff participated in the event as well, for many of our patients use the cosmetic opportunities in the Spa.
Come join us each month.

Events and Clinics

Don't forget the popular "Third Thursday" events in the Tivoli Med Spa across from our office. This month, in two days, the topic is "The Truth About Lasers", a timely topic and one our patients should learn. Dr. Petro will present information, and many door prizes and reduced rate specials will be available. This weeks vein clinics are Thursday afternoon in Oxford, AL, and Friday afternoon in Tuscaloosa, AL. These are popular clinics, come visit with us.

Living longer, no need to show it!

See our new brief video, boxing to stay fit. Mostly applies to me, but applies to anyone wishing to assure a good quality of life for many years. John Dye is a boxing coach and fitness instructor who works with us regularly, not easy but is fun and really works. Dr. Petro, also in the video, performs excellent cosmetic procedures to help sustain youth. Correcting unsightly vein problems in my business assures painless and good looking legs for many years. Nike has the right approach, "Just Do It"!

Exercise and Vein Treatments?

Following major vein treatments, most of our patients may exercise within one week - with the compression stockings in place. If only spider vein treatments, there is no downtime, and exercise with stockings may resume the following day. Stockings should be worn at least two weeks in the daytime after major vein treatments, and at least one week after spider vein treatments.

What is the cost to treat spider veins?

Interesting, the cost depends upon the provider since spider veins are not insurance covered. Currently, our cost is only $300 to treat both legs, front and back including ankles and feet. This is very inexpensive, for treating these small veins is difficult and requires very good hand-eye skills. In June, the cost will increase to $400 for the same treatment, still very inexpensive when compared to almost anyone in the U.S. Plus our staff is experienced and very skilled.

Vein Treatments with Cosmetic Treatments

Dr. Melanie Petro is a highly qualified and credentialed cosmetic surgeon whose office is directly across from ours in the Vestavia Hills City Center mall complex. We have discovered that many of our patients wish for vein treatments at the same time as their cosmetic procedures. Since we provide very good anesthesia for our and her procedures, this works extremely well for our patients. Plus, many of our patients have the same goals in common, for they wish to be relieved of discomfort while restoring beauty to their legs and to all parts of their body.

We are working more and more together to offer a unique opportunity to our patients for near total body rejuvenation. Consider the possibilities.

What is the Best Vein Treatment possible?

Patients who have vein problems report these symptoms: Leg pain, swelling, ropy veins, spider veins, bleeding from a vein, sores and ulcers, night cramps, skin color change of the lower leg to brown and black with tightening and pain, restless legs.

Modern treatment can be performed in the office setting in a Specialty Clinic such as ours. The underlying problem is corrected, and at the same time, all of the skin veins are treated. We treat everything at the same time.

Our patients are sedated with good medicines, such that there is virtually no pain associated with the procedure.

By treating all vein problems at once, our patients achieve the very best results in the least amount of time. This is extremely popular with our patients, now numbering nearly 10,000.

Who Treats Vein Problems?

My number one pet peeve! Many doctors and spas and clinics offer treatment of vein problems, without proper credentials or training or current knowledge.

Veins make up a large part of the body circulation, and should be managed by specialists in blood vessel diagnosis and treatment. This is our life study, and no one can or should do this better. Our patients deserve the very best.

Frequent question: How are vein problems diagnosed? Primarily by ultrasound evaluation of the vein anatomy and physiology. Our experience with blood vessel ultrasound dates back at least 20 years. Our doctors are all properly credentialed, as is our full time ultrasonographer. We really do understand this problem very well.

Frequent question: Have you ever not completed a procedure, or had to refer your patients to another doctor or location? The answer is never never. We have performed nearly 10,000 major vein procedures and have always completed the operation. Patients are referred to our clinic from all over the South, and a significant number were already treated "elsewhere" when the doctor could not complete the procedure for technical or other reasons. This has never happened in our Vein Specialty practice.

We answer questions and e-mails from colleague physicians every day, from around the world, seeking our advice. Our experience and success to treat our patients is un-matched in most locations of the U.S.

Vein Specialty Update

Insurance Coverage is Available for most Vein Treatments:

One frequent question is whether health insurance will cover most vein treatments. A few years ago, the answer was no, and coverage was very difficult. After at least two years of work to educate the insurance industry, now nearly all vein treatments qualify for insurance reimbursement. Patients with leg pain, swelling, vein ulcers, ropy varicose veins, and other skin changes from vein problems will qualify for vein treatments covered by virtually all insurance companies including medicare.

The diagnostic ultrasound examinations and the physician consultations are also covered by insurance. Patients who suffer from these problems should not delay treatment because of cost. Our Alabama & Atlanta Vascular & Vein Centers have the expertise to obtain insurance coverage for you, and will take care of your needs.

John Kingsley, M.D.

Vein Specialty Updates

Welcome to our "blog" for Vein Specialty Updates", information regarding events and information for the Alabama & Atlanta Vascular & Vein Centers, and an occasional report regarding our sister business, Petro Cosmetic Surgery and Tivoli Medical Spa. We are all located on the mezzanine of the Vestavia Hills City Center mall complex in Vestavia Hills, Alabama. Vestavia is a suberb of Birmingham, and is a terrific place to live and to maintain a medical practice.

Education information: SPIDER VEIN TREATMENTS: Many of our patients have numerous unsightly spider veins, and are not sure how to get rid of them. We have a great deal of experience treating these unsightly veins, and advise the following. Firstly, lasers are not effective to treat spider veins of the legs, please do not waste your time and money. Many clinics use and recommend lasers, but we have tried every wave length available, and lasers simply are not very good. We always begin with injection sclerotherapy, meaning we inject a very good solution into the tiny veins. The solutions destroy the veins more effectively than any other means. Our solution was designed by Sylvia Tadros and myself, Sylvia is a physicians assistant who has been working with me for the past 7 years. She is perhaps the best sclerotherapist in the world truthfully, for she has great hand eye skills and knows exactly how and what to do for each problem. Our solution is a mixture of sotradecol, glycerin, and saline made into a foam as per the Tessari method - invented by the Italians. IMPORTANT POINT: We always look for and treat the underlying cause of spider veins, otherwise they will all return.

SPIDER VEINS ON THE FACE: Are best treated now by the VEINWAVE device which we have in the clinic. The Veinwave is better and less painful than lasers, and will give very good results when used properly. We also use the Veinwave for very small red spider veins on the legs.

CONSULTATIONS are held each week in our clinics, and we usually perform an ultrasound test to be sure there is not a major underlying problem. We then design a plan for your treatments.

STAFF INFO: Sylvia, Anna, Dr. Petro, and myself attended the Vestavia Hills School Foundation event this past Saturday evening. The event was very successful, and a pleasant evening. We "won" several auction items to support the event.

THIRD THURSDAY events are held in the Tivoli Spa each month, and next month the topic is "The truth about Beauty". Dr. Petro does a terrific job with these events, which are becoming very popular. Held from 5PM til 7PM, many specials and door prizes are offered, prices of products and treatments are 20% off, the savings are tremendous.

Please come visit us, our staff is tremendous and we are continuously looking for ways to make your experience better. I will "blog" regularly, so look at the web site for updates and information.

John Kingsley, M.D.