7 Need-to-Know Facts About Varicose Veins

According to WomensHealth.gov, varicose veins have the potential to affect approximately 50% of people in the United States age 50 and over. With those odds, it’s important to make sure that you familiarize yourself with this common condition, it’s causes and methods of prevention. That being said, here are seven facts that you absolutely must know about varicose veins:

1. Crossing your legs is not as bad as it seems. Though sitting with your legs crossed or wearing high heels can somewhat increase the pressure put on your legs, and therefore increase your risk of developing varicose veins, there is no direct negative result of doing so.

2. Sitting or standing for long periods of time is risky. When you sit or stand for hours at a time each day, the blood in your leg veins begins to pool, weakening the vein valves and walls. In addition, family history, obesity, smoking, lack of regular exercise and hormonal birth control, are all factors that can increase your risk for this vascular condition.

3. Varicose veins are more than a cosmetic issue. In fact, ignoring varicose veins and forgoing treatment could lead to fatigue and restlessness in the legs, swelling and and overall feeling of discomfort. Long term effects can include deep vein thrombosis, blood clots, and poor circulation.

4. Though similar, varicose veins and spider veins are not the same. Spider veins are thin, blue blood vessels that are visible through the skin and are generally harmless, while varicose veins are raised, rope-like veins that are visible protruding above the skin. To learn more about the differences between the two, see our past blog post here.

5. Men can develop varicose veins too. Though records show that 70-80% of patients treated are female, a small percentage of men can suffer from varicose veins as well. Overall, “about 50-55% percent of women and 40-45% percent of men in the United States suffer from some type of vein problem.”

6. Pregnancy can cause or worsen varicose veins. While carrying, the inferior vena cava can be subjected to increased pressure caused by a blood flow blockage. Pregnancy hormones can also weaken the vein walls.

7. Exercise is the best way to prevent varicose veins. Physical activity that boost circulation, like swimming, walking and climbing stairs, can help to reduce your chances of developing these unsightly veins.

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we understand our patients’ needs for varicose vein removal, which is why we offer three types of treatments: Laser, sclerotherapy injections and inferior vena cava (IVC) filter placement.

To learn more about our vascular surgery options, call 631-321-6801 to schedule a consultation today.

How to Shake the Pre-Surgery Jitters

Anytime you have to undergo a surgical procedure it’s completely normal to be nervous. In fact, there are millions of people out there that deal with hospital and surgical anxiety, so know that you’re not alone. Here are a few things to keep in mind to help you deal with pre-surgery anxiety and calm your nerves before operation day:

Have faith in your surgical team. Choosing a surgeon can be nerve wracking in itself, since you need to find someone who you trust completely. Do your research and consult with as many surgeons as you have to until you find the right one. Then, allow yourself to trust them. Trust is the number one weapon when dealing with pre-surgery anxiety. You need to remind yourself that your doctor is an expert and be confident in his or her abilities.

Know the details and voice your concerns. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about your procedure. Knowing exactly what is going to happen and why will help you cope while you prepare for surgery. Many times the fear of the unknown can cause more stress, so ask and research away. Should you have any outstanding fears or concerns, speaking with your surgeon can be a big help.

Meditate and listen to music. Deep breathing exercises and other meditative activities can help relax the body and put your mind at ease. A daily dose of yoga is a great way to keep your mind and body centered, and out of “fight-or-flight” mode. Music is also incredibly powerful when it comes to calming nerves. In fact, according to FoxNews.com, “a study in the journal Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica found that people who listened to relaxing music right before surgery were more relaxed than those who opted for medication to calm their nerves.”

Plan for pre-and-post-surgery. Who will drive you and pick you up? What will you need to bring for your hospital stay? Who will handle your obligations while you recover? Making a plan puts you in control of the situation, which can help you keep calm. Enlist the support of your family members to help out and support you before, during and after surgery.

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we understand that your nerves can sometimes get the best of your. That’s why we believe in fostering very personal, trusting relationship with all of our patients. Rest assured that when you choose one of our surgeons, you’ll be in the best, most capable and caring hands.

If you live in Nassau, Suffolk or the surrounding areas and are in need of a surgeon, click here to view our website or call us 631-321-6801 to schedule your free consultation today.

Sclerotherapy vs. Laser Treatment for Varicose Veins

It’s no surprise that many people are eager to get rid of their unsightly varicose veins. The good news is, there are a few different ways to do so! In honor of National Beautician’s Day tomorrow, we’d like to dedicate this blog post to helping you choose the best treatment possible to beautify your body and get your legs vein-free for the beach this summer.

First, we’ll review the two most common types of varicose vein treatments: Sclerotherapy and Laser Therapy.

Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure performed by injecting a chemical solution of sclerosant into your unwanted spider or varicose vein. The solution works to irritate, inflame and dry out the vein, causing it to collapse and be reabsorbed into the body. The body will compensate for the vein loss by redirecting blood to flow through alternative, deeper veins, significantly reducing the appearance and pain associated with varicose veins.

Laser Therapy is non-invasive, and require no chemical process. Instead, a laser is shot directly onto the vein through the skin, which heats up causing the blood to coagulate and collapse the vessel. The procedure itself usually takes between 15-20 minutes, and within four to six weeks the vein will be reabsorbed into the body, leaving virtually no trace of its existence.

Now, take a look at the comparative overview below, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of each treatment, and when they are typically recommended.

Sclerotherapy -- vs -- Laser Therapy
Advantages: Less expensive option  Faster and more effective Disadvantages: Not the best choice for all vascular medical and cosmetic needs  Recommended for: Reducing smaller, superficial spider veins on the hands and legs  Those with low pain thresholds  Patients with darker skin	Advantages: More effective than sclerotherapy when treating specific vascular issues Disadvantages: More expensive and less effective  Potentially more painful Recommended for: Veins in sensitive areas, like the face  Patients with a fear of needles or an allergy to sclerosant chemicals  Treatment of veins too small for injection

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we strive to provide surgical solutions for all of your cosmetic and medical vascular needs. Serving patients in Nassau, Suffolk and the surrounding areas, our team of leading surgeons is committed to providing exceptional services with state of the art technologies. For more information or to schedule a consultation, click here to view our website or call 631-321-6801 today.

Meet Dr. Garri Pasklinsky!

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, our surgeons are leading doctors in their respective fields, hailing from prestigious colleges, universities and surgical training programs country-wide. We want our patients to be calm and comfortable when undergoing any type of procedure, which is why we’ve decided to bring the doctors to you in our “Meet the Doctors” blog series.

Today we’d like to introduce you to another one of our surgical experts, Dr. Garri Pasklinsky!

Prior to joining the Great South Bay Surgical Associates team, Dr. Pasklinsky completed his general surgery training at Stony Brook University Hospital. Afterwards, he then went on to specialize his training in vascular surgery at Stony Brook as well, earning a double board certification by the American College of Surgeons.

Although Dr. Pasklinsky is certified to perform general and vascular procedures, his main area of interest lies in the management of arterial and venous disease. That being said, he typically performs surgical procedures relating to the vascular field.

Here are some of the doctors most commonly performed procedures, done using both open and endovascular techniques:

• Carotid Surgery
• Abdominal Aneurysm Repairs
• Management of Aortoiliac & Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease
• Hemodialysis Access
• Venous Laser Surgery
• Management of Deep Venous Thrombosis
• And more!

To learn more about how Dr. Pasklinsky can help you, give us a call at 631-321-6801 today!

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we strive to provide open and minimally invasive surgical solutions for any vascular or general health issues you may face. If you live in Nassau, Suffolk or the surrounding areas and are in need of a surgeon, click here to view our website or call us 631-321-6801 to schedule your free consultation today.

Meet Dr. Michael Sacca!

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we take pride in our exceptional level of quality healthcare services, provided by the best and most knowledgeable surgeons in the field. Our extraordinary team of doctors perform a multitude of open and minimally invasive procedures in general and vascular surgery. We understand the fear and discomfort that might result from learning that you have to have a procedure done, which is why we’ve developed our “Meet the Doctors” blog series. We want our patients to get to know our doctors before their surgery so that they can feel calm, comfortable and confident that they’re in the best hands.

So, today we’d like to introduce you to another one of our expert surgeons, Dr. Michael Sacca!

Dr. Sacca studied as an undergraduate student at Brown University before completing his medical school training at Albany Medical College. After receiving his degree from medical school in Albany, he returned home to Long Island to complete training in vascular surgery at Stony Brook University.

In 1998, Dr. Sacca became a valued member of the Great South Bay Surgical Associates team, where he has performed hundreds of surgeries over the past 17 years. The doctor’s training and dual board certification in both general and vascular surgery allows him to perform a variety of complex surgeries with ease and precision, including laparoscopic and open GI surgery as well as endovascular and open arterial reconstruction procedures. Dr. Sacca has also performed a number of minimally invasive varicose vein procedures in-office.

In addition to his role as a surgeon at Great South Bay Surgical Associates, the doctor is also the current Chairman of the Surgical Peer Review Committee at Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center, and holds a position as Associate Director of Vascular Surgery at Southside Hospital.

To learn more about how Dr. Sacca can help you, give us a call at 631-321-6801 today!

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we strive to provide open and minimally invasive surgical solutions for any vascular or general health issues you may face. If you live in Nassau, Suffolk or the surrounding areas and are in need of a surgeon, click here to view our website or call us 631-321-6801 to schedule your free consultation today.

Varicose Veins: Causes and Risks

Varicose veins are unfortunately something that many of us face as our bodies age, and can be unsightly if left unmanaged. So what exactly are they? Varicose, or spider veins, form when veins become swollen and twisted, making them visible underneath the skin. Typically these veins form in the legs, but other parts of your body are susceptible as well.

What causes varicose veins to form?
Your veins work to pump blood throughout the body and back to the heart. When blood is pumped from your legs specifically, the veins must work double-time against the force of gravity to send the blood all the way up to your heart. Veins are made up of one-way valves that open to let blood flow through, but if these valves are weak or damaged, blood can pool in the veins causing them to swell and create spider veins. Damaged or deformed valves can cause blood to flow backward as well, which causes the veins to bulge and swell.

Who is at risk for developing varicose veins?
According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, “many factors may raise your risk for varicose veins.” Here are some of the things that you should keep in mind and watch out for when it comes to varicose veins:

• Family History: If this condition runs in your family you’re more likely to develop varicose veins.
• Age: Since veins tend to weaken with age, the older you become, the more susceptible you are to having vein complications.
• Gender: Due to hormonal changes associated with pregnancy, menopause and the like, women are generally more likely to develop spider veins than men.
• Weight: Obesity is a huge factor in vein related conditions because being overweight can cause extra strain on your veins.
• Physical Activity: As for most health conditions, a proven record of physical activity can help prevent this condition. Sitting or standing for a long time, especially with legs crossed or bent, can cause spider veins to form more rapidly.
• Leg Trauma: Blood clots or severe damage to your veins can cause weakening and make you more at risk for blood pooling and vein swelling.

How can Great South Bay Surgical Associates help?
We understand our patients’ needs for varicose vein removal, which is why we offer three types of treatments: Laser, sclerotherapy injections and inferior vena cava (IVC) filter placement. To learn more about our vascular surgery options, click here to view our past blog post, or click here to visit us on the web.

Our Vascular Surgery Procedures

The surgeons at Great South Bay Surgical Associates specialize in a variety of vascular surgery procedures. Our goal is to provide quality care for all of our patients' vascular health needs, performing both cosmetic and medical procedures as necessary. Here’s a list detailing some of the vascular surgeries that we provide:

Laser Treatment for Varicose Veins helps to minimize the appearance of varicose and spider veins. It is a simple procedure that uses laser heat to produce scar tissue that inevitably causes the unsightly vein to close and lose it’s blood source, disappearing over time.

Sclerotherapy Injection Treatments have been practiced since the 1930s, and involve injecting a salt solution directly into the veins, causing the lining of the blood vessels to swell and stick together. This will eventually cause a clot that will turn to scar tissue, eliminating unwanted varicose and spider veins.

Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) Filter Placements work to stop blood clots from traveling from your leg or pelvis area to your lungs, causing a life-threatening pulmonary embolism. Our surgeons will successfully place the filter into your IVC using a topical anesthetic and a delivery catheter.

Endovascular Arterial Surgery is used specifically to treat Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), a disease of the arteries which causes narrowing and poor circulation. Patients who suffer from PAD often experience muscle pain and cramping. Our surgeons perform three types of endovascular arterial procedures: Angioplasty, stent placement and atherectomy.

A Carotid Endarterectomy works to combat Carotid Artery Disease by removing plaque buildup in the carotid arteries that can cause abnormal blood flow and in some cases strokes.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Surgery repairs weakened areas within the aorta wall. Since the aorta is the largest artery in the body, delivering oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body, it is very important that you keep yours healthy. This surgery is performed by placing stents into the aorta through small incisions

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we strive to provide surgical solutions for all of your cosmetic and medical vascular needs. Serving patients in Nassau, Suffolk and the surrounding areas, our team of leading surgeons is committed to providing exceptional services with state of the art technologies. For more information or to schedule a consultation, click here to view our website or call 631-321-6801 today.

Meet Dr. John Francfort!

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, our surgeons are leading doctors in their respective fields, hailing from prestigious colleges, universities and surgical training programs country-wide. We want our patients to be calm and comfortable when undergoing any type of procedure, which is why we’ve decided to bring the doctors to you in our “Meet the Doctors” blog series.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. John Francfort!

Dr. John Francfort first received his surgical training in Philadelphia, PA at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. After completing his training and earning his degree at UPenn, he went on to specialize in vascular surgery through a training program at Northwestern University in Chicago, IL. As such, he currently holds a dual board certification in both general and vascular surgery.

But that’s not all! Dr. Francfort continued to further his studies while giving back to the education system as an assistant professor of surgery at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, PA for quite some time. Since then, he has moved on to become a clinical assistant professor of surgery at both Stony Brook University and NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYCOM) on Long Island, where he still teaches today.

Like all of the doctors at Great South Bay Surgical Associates, Dr. Francfort has held many prestigious positions in the past, including acting as a former president of the eastern Long Island chapter of the American College of Surgeons. Currently, he is chairman of the Department of Surgery at Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center.

As for surgical procedures, Dr. Francfort does it all! He’s highly skilled in performing a high volume of surgical cases including laparoscopic procedures, surgical oncology, breast, GI and colorectal care, gallbladder surgery, venous laser surgery and endovascular arterial surgery.

To learn more about how Dr. Francfort can help you, give us a call at 631-321-6801 today!

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we strive to provide open and minimally invasive surgical solutions for any vascular or general health issues you may face. If you live in Nassau, Suffolk or the surrounding areas and are in need of a surgeon, click here to view our website or call us 631-321-6801 to schedule your free consultation today.

About Us!

Established in 1909 by founding partner Dr. Charles Murphy, Great South Bay Surgical Associates and  Vascular Lab has been serving the community with the tradition of caring and quality for over 100 years.  For generations we have provided high quality services using state of the art technologies in general and vascular surgeries, both open and minimally invasive.

Our practice is comprised of eight outstanding doctors that double as directors, department chairs of surgery and chairmen of the Surgical Peer Review Committee at Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center, presidents and fellows of the American College of Surgeons and other elite medical societies, and hold various additional positions as innovative leaders within their fields.

These surgeons specialize in a variety of general, vascular and colorectal surgical procedures such as:

• Hernia Surgery
• Gallbladder and Hepatobiliary Surgery
• Hemorrhoid Surgery
• Pelvic Floor Procedures
• Laser Varicose Vein Surgery
• Sclerotherapy Injection Treatments
• Carotid Artery Surgery
• And more!

We also specialize in surgical oncology, covering areas including:

• Breast Cancer (Lumpectomy and Breast Reconstruction)
• Gastrointestinal Cancer (Stomach, Small Bowel, Colon and Rectal)
• Melanoma and Skin Cancer
• Sarcomas (Tumors of the Muscle)

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates and Vascular Lab, we understand our patients’ necessity for knowledgeable, friendly doctors that provide convenient procedures with effective results.  Choose us for all of your surgical needs and rest assured that you’ll always be in good hands - the best in the field!

For more information about the services we offer visit us on the web or give us a call directly at 631-321-6801.  Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ to get up to date information and health tips!