General Clinic FAQ

  • Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

  • Appointments must be made in advance.

  • If you have a referral from a physician or a nurse practitioner for symptomatic varicose veins, there is no consultation fee.

  • Our clinic accepts all major credit cards. We also are working to offer individual payment plans as required.

  • No, you do not need a referral to book a consultation with us at Georgian Bay Vein Clinic.

  • Venous reflux disease, if left untreated, can lead to chronic leg pain, swelling, skin changes, ulcers, and varicose veins. Severe cases may result in deep vein thrombosis, reduced mobility, and a diminished quality of life. Seeking early medical intervention can help manage the condition, alleviate symptoms, and prevent complications.

  • You may eat/drink as you would like with no restriction. Avoid applying any creams or other products to your legs. Bring your compression stockings if you bought them ahead of time, so they can be worn immediately after your procedure. However, please do not wear them in the 24 hours prior to your procedure or consultation. This will allow a thorough assessment and treatment of your veins.

  • Please come ready to expose the majority of the lower limbs for treatment (loose shorts, briefs or underpants which allow for this). You may change at the facility prior to treatment.

  • Aftercare consists of compression stockings and a follow-up consultation 2-3 weeks following procedures for varicose veins. You can return to normal activities immediately following our procedures, but please avoid vigorous activity such as running or weightlifting for one week.

  • If you have an emergency, you should go to your nearest ER. You can always call us as well, but we are only open during regular business hours.

VenaSeal™ FAQ

  • Most patients feel little, if any, pain during the procedure.

  • The procedure is designed to reduce recovery time. You can return to normal activities immediately after the procedure, but please refrain from vigorous activity, such as running or weightlifting for 1 week.

  • Symptoms improve immediately after the procedure, but you may notice the treated leg feels a bit tight for a few days.

  • While some bruising is common with all vein treatments, it is typically mild and any associated pain is typically easily treated with Tylenol.

  • Only a very small amount of adhesive is used to close the vein. Your body will naturally create scar tissue around the adhesive over time to keep the vessel permanently closed.

  • The Venaseal procedure uses an adhesive to close the superficial vein, so it is less painful than EVLT, which uses a laser to generate intense heat to damage and close the vein. This intense heat requires a large volume of numbing medicine to help reduce pain and protect nearby structures from damage. The numbing medicine is injected all along the course of the vein, requiring multiple needles. This means the Venaseal procedure is typically more comfortable for our patients.

Sclerotherapy FAQ

  • Sclerotherapy is a medical procedure to treat varicose veins, spider veins, and reticular veins by injecting a solution that causes them to collapse and fade.

  • It works by injecting a sclerosing medication into the affected veins, irritating the vein walls, causing them to seal shut and disappear.

  • It can cause mild discomfort, but it's generally well-tolerated by most patients. No general sedation or local anesthetic is typically required.

  • The number of sessions varies, but 2-3 sessions are typically needed to achieve the desired results.

  • Possible side effects include bruising, swelling, and temporary discoloration. Serious complications are rare.

  • Results can be long-lasting, but new veins may appear over time.

  • Costs vary based on number of sessions required, size of veins involved and therefore what techniques may be required for complete treatment. Typically treatment costs several hundred dollars per session.

  • Compression stockings help reduce swelling, improve blood flow, and minimize risk of blood clots. Light physical activity like walking and movement is recommended. Avoid prolonged sitting or standing. Hot baths and hot tubs should also be avoided. Vigorous activity such as running should be avoided for one week.

  • Sclerotherapy has a high success rate in treating vein conditions, but typically multiple sessions are required to achieve the desired results. Very large varicose veins are typically better treated using other techniques such as Venaseal. Many sclerotherapy patients experience significant and satisfying improvement in the appearance of their legs after 2-3 sclerotherapy sessions.

Compression Stockings FAQ

  • Compression stockings are specially designed elastic garments that apply medical grade pressure to your legs. They work by improving blood flow in the legs and reducing the pooling of blood in veins.

  • Compression stockings are recommended for patients with venous reflux disease and asymptomatic individuals who spend long periods of time on their feet. They treat symptoms and prevent vein problems from developing or getting worse. They are often prescribed for people with symptoms like leg swelling, pain and varicose veins.

  • There are numerous brands and types of compression stockings available, ranging from mild to high compression levels, lengths and styles. Our certified compression stocking fitters and healthcare providers can help you determine the best compression stockings for you and provide a prescription.

  • It's crucial to get the correct size to ensure they provide effective compression. Our certified fitters and healthcare providers can determine the right size and fit for you.

  • Typically, you should wear compression stockings daily, especially during waking hours.

  • In most cases, you should remove compression stockings at night to allow your skin to breathe and prevent any skin irritation.

  • While compression stockings are typically very safe it is important to get the right size and level of medical grade compression, which typically requires a prescription. They are not suitable for everyone. Potential side effects can include skin changes and discomfort. If you have been diagnosed with peripheral arterial disease, compression stockings should be avoided. Our healthcare providers can determine if you have any signs or symptoms of peripheral arterial disease.

  • The more you wear them, the more they work! Generally it's great to wear them during the day and take them off at night before going to bed.

  • Yes, you can engage in physical activities while wearing compression stockings. In fact, this is recommended. They can help reduce symptoms during exercise by promoting better blood flow.

  • You can find some compression stockings over the counter, but it's advisable to consult a certified compression stocking fitter and healthcare provider for a proper evaluation and prescription. This will to ensure you get the right compression stockings for you and the appropriate medical grade compression level.