McKeown Medical
167 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4SQ
When it comes to treating varicose veins, VenaSeal™ has emerged as a revolutionary option that offers a minimally invasive and highly effective solution.
Date posted — 4.10.24
When it comes to treating varicose veins, VenaSeal™ has emerged as a revolutionary option that offers a minimally invasive and highly effective solution.
This innovative treatment involves using a specially formulated medical adhesive to seal off problematic veins, redirecting blood flow to healthier veins and providing relief from the discomfort and unsightly appearance of varicose veins.
Dr Alex Vesey is our expert consultant vascular surgeon who heads up our varicose vein team. Listen to him explain the VenaSeal™ treatment.
Unlike traditional methods that rely on heat or chemical irritants, VenaSeal™ works by simply bonding the vein walls together, causing the treated vein to collapse and eventually be absorbed by the body. The procedure is quick, usually completed in under an hour, and requires no anaesthetic, making it a convenient and comfortable choice for many patients.
It has already become the gold standard treatment in America, accounting for around 50% of varicose vein treatments in the USA, although its rollout in the UK has largely been limited because there are cheaper alternatives prioritised by the NHS, which has also influenced the private sector in this country – despite VenaSeal™ being a better alternative for most patients. We are the first private clinic in Scotland to offer this procedure.
The VenaSeal™ treatment works by using a specially formulated medical adhesive to seal off varicose veins, effectively rerouting blood flow to healthier veins. The procedure begins with a small, single injection of local anaesthetic. This contrasts with other minimally invasive options like Radiofrequency Ablation or Laser treatment that require a large volume of local anaesthetic to be injected along the entire length of the thigh.
Next, a tiny skin incision is made, and a small catheter is inserted into the affected vein. Using ultrasound guidance, the doctor makes sure that the catheter is in the correct place before they deliver the adhesive along the length of the vein. The adhesive immediately seals the vein walls together, causing the vein to collapse and preventing blood from pooling in that area. Over time, the sealed vein is gradually absorbed by the body, and blood is naturally redirected to other – healthier, functioning veins.
The VenaSeal™ procedure is quick, typically taking less than an hour, and it requires no tumescent infiltration (extensive injections of local anaesthetic), nor does it require the use of heat to burn the vein, which minimises discomfort and allows for a faster recovery.
In contrast to other procedures, VenaSeal™ doesn’t require patients to wear compression stockings afterwards – you simply get up, walk out the door and get back to your normal activities.
VenaSeal™ offers a number of advantages that make it an attractive option for treating varicose veins. One of the primary benefits is its minimally invasive nature, as it requires no heat, tumescent anaesthesia, or multiple needle injections, which are necessary with other endovenous treatments. This reduces the amount of discomfort and bruising patients experience both during and after treatment. The avoidance of the use of heat also reduces the risk of nerve damage and the extent of bruising.
The procedure is quick, usually completed in under an hour, and patients can return to their normal activities almost immediately, with no need for compression stockings afterwards. Additionally, VenaSeal™ has a high success rate in effectively sealing off problematic veins and providing long-term relief from the symptoms of varicose veins. It is at least as effective in terms of long-term outcomes as other endovenous methods like radiofrequency or laser, and there is some emerging data suggesting that it may even be slightly more effective – despite being less invasive and having fewer risks of common side effects.
VenaSeal™ is considered a safe and effective treatment for varicose veins, with a strong safety profile supported by clinical studies and widespread use. Because it is a minimally invasive procedure that does not involve heat or chemicals, the risks associated with VenaSeal™ are lower compared to some traditional treatments. However, as with any medical procedure, there are potential risks that you should understand before you choose to proceed with treatment.
Although the pain following the procedure is less than after other methods – that doesn’t mean it is pain-free. Most patients experience a bit of soreness or tenderness at the treatment site as well as some mild bruising and swelling. It is common for the vein that has been treated to become swollen, red, hard and lumpy. This is part of the process by which your body gets rid of the diseased veins.
In rare cases, allergic reactions to the adhesive or infection at the incision site can occur. There is also a risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a condition where a blood clot forms in a deep vein. This is a risk with any type of treatment in the leg – in fact, it’s a risk with any injury (accidental or controlled) in the leg. We help to reduce this risk by giving you medicine to thin the blood a little before treatment. We also encourage you to walk around and get back to normal as quickly as possible after treatment which further mitigates the risk.
Overall, VenaSeal™ is a well-tolerated and safe option for most patients. We will discuss all of the risks of treatments as part of your initial consultation and assessment.
If you’d like to find out if VenaSeal™ is the right treatment for you, the first step is to fill out our online consultation form. From there, our team will be able to arrange an initial consultation and ultrasound scan, and we can work together to create a treatment plan that is tailored to your needs.
Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins that often appear just under the skin, primarily in the legs and feet.
If you're struggling with the discomfort, swelling, or unsightly appearance of varicose veins, Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) could be the solution...
Phlebectomy, or microphlebectomy, is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to remove varicose veins.
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Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins that often appear just under the skin, primarily in the legs and feet.
If you're struggling with the discomfort, swelling, or unsightly appearance of varicose veins, Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) could be the solution...
Phlebectomy, or microphlebectomy, is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to remove varicose veins.
There is no single "best" facial rejuvenation treatment - only the treatment that`s right for the individual patient.
For patients with more advanced facial ageing, significant jowls and loose skin of the neck, a deep plane facelift remains the gold standard. In the right hands, it can achieve results that more significant than what we can do with less invasive treatments.
This is one of our recent patients following deep plane face and neck lift surgery, performed by the incredibly talented @bramhallplasticsurgery. It`s always a privilege to work alongside Russell and see the exceptional results he consistently achieves.
One of the things I`m most proud of at McKeown Medical is that we`re a genuinely multidisciplinary team. We don`t believe every patient needs fillers. We don`t believe every patient needs surgery either. We offer injectables, lasers, minimally invasive procedures like the Quantum Lift, and facelift surgery because different patients, at different stages of the ageing process, need different solutions.
Our job isn`t to sell you a procedure - its to help you choose the right one.
If you want to have a conversation about which option is right for you, you can send us some pics by PM.
#DeepPlaneFacelift #Facelift #NeckLift #FacialRejuvenation #PlasticSurgery #AestheticMedicine #NaturalResults #McKeownMedical #Glasgow #PlasticSurgeon
I genuinely think the Quantum Lift is changing what is possible for patients who want to improve their jawline and neck, but do not want to undergo facelift surgery.
I have used earlier generations of skin-tightening technology and, honestly, I was often underwhelmed by the results. This is different.
By combining precise power-assisted liposuction, targeted treatment of the neck muscle where needed, and QuantumRF skin tightening, we can address the three things that most commonly age the lower face and neck: muscle, fat and skin.
This patient is shown just 24 hours after treatment. There is still swelling to settle, but the early change in her jawline and neck contour is already clear.
I have also included clips from the procedure for anyone who likes seeing the technical side of what we do.
Would you consider a minimally invasive alternative to facelift surgery for your jawline or neck, or would you rather go straight to surgery?
And this is why we LOVE combination treatments in the clinic!
Different parts of the face age in different ways. And even different layers of the same part sometimes age differently, which is why we often need to combine treatments to achieve the best overall effect for each patient.
This lovely patient first underwent some laser resurfacing to her eyelid area to take away the lines and wrinkles and tighten the skin. Then we used some HA to blend the contour below the eye and cheek. Finally, we addressed the lower part of the face and neck with some Sofwave to tighten the skin and Sculptra to give her more connective tissue support.
She is over the moon with her improvement. What do you think?
The biggest mistake I see after weight loss? People choose a treatment before understanding what`s actually causing their loose skin.
Not all "loose skin" is the same, which is why the right treatment for one person can be completely wrong for another.
If you`ve lost weight and aren`t sure which option is right for you, the first step isn`t choosing a device. It`s getting the right diagnosis.
Looking for some advice? Send us a DM to get started.
The Quantum Lift!
We introduced this new technique only a few weeks ago and, well, it’s going even better than expected. This is one of our patients before and immediately after. I always warn my patients that I cannot give them a surgical facelift result with a procedure that doesn’t involve cutting but honestly, in this case, I think we got pretty close to a facelift result and closer than I was expecting.
First we remove some fat from under the chin and jawline before the quantum goes in to tighten the skin. I have included a picture of the neck after the we had removed fat from both sides, but only applied the quantum to her right side. You can see how much difference there is when I try to pinch the skin. In the non-treated skin I skin still pinch an inch (or two) but on the treated side there is very little to pinch, because the tissues have shrunk down so much.
The patient tolerated the procedure very well under simple local anaesthetic without sedation and we had a nice chat throughout. Afterwards she had a cup of tea and then went home with her husband half an hour later.
I have been very excited about The Quantum Lift for a while, but I’m only getting more excited the more I do. I really believe this is a massive step towards an effective way to rejuvenate the lower face and neck whilst avoiding traditional facelift scars.
Everyone knows we do lots of sophisticated facial work in the clinic. But did you know we also now do a lot of breast work too?
This is one of our patients who wanted breast augmentation. She specifically wanted more upper pole fullness so Kavita selected a 325cc high profile implant from Mentor, but placed them under the muscle to give a more natural take off. Mentor are considered the gold standard for breast implant quality and we only use their implants in the clinic.
The patient is just a few weeks post-op, so there is still a little bit of settling to go but she is already delighted with the shape and size. The key to breast surgery is listening to the patients concerns and then tailoring the procedure to get them the result they want - which is something the very fabulous Miss Kavita excels at.
What do you think?
The SMAS Facelift is back at McKeown Medical!�
Patients tell us all the time that they want to get rid of their jowls and facial sagging, but are hesitant about a lengthy surgical procedure or taking several weeks away from work and social commitments. The SMAS Facelift is an excellent alternative for patients who want meaningful improvement without the bigger commitment. �
It`s a technique that lifts and repositions the deeper tissues of the face while removing excess skin. Until Deep Plane became more popular in the last 10 years, SMAS was the gold standard. Compared with Deep Plane, it takes about 3 hours instead of 6-8, can be done under local anaesthetic, has a shorter recovery, and lower risk of nerve injury. For many patients with moderate facial ageing, it produces excellent, long-lasting results at £12,000, all performed by the phenomenal @bramhallplasticsurgery.�
This is one of our patients who had a SMAS Facelift with eyelid surgery five years ago. She`s maintained her results with HA fillers, like many of our surgical patients do, but otherwise her results are still going strong. That`s what SMAS can give you.
Every face ages differently and every patient has different circumstances. Some need the extensive correction of Deep Plane, especially if they have a heavy neck. Others are better suited to SMAS, particularly if you want a less invasive option with quicker recovery.
The right choice depends on your anatomy, your concerns, and your lifestyle. If you’d like to know more about the SMAS facelift, drop your questions in the comments or send us a DM!
So here she is! The one we’ve all been waiting for 😍 This is Lorraine 5 days after her Quantum lift. She’s still at home recovering because she had her body done too (more on that soon), so she’s not been back in the clinic for proper after photos yet. But she’s already delighted and sending the dreamteam these selfies from home. She’s obviously still very early and a bit swollen, but I think we can all see where this is heading already! I’m very excited for Lorraine… and for all of our lovely patients who are already booked for Quantum. This is a game changer for loose skin!
Thank you to this lovely patient for allowing us to share her upper blepharoplasty results, by the phenomenal @bramhallplasticsurgery .
This patient is 62 and came to us feeling self-conscious about the heaviness and puffiness of her upper eyelids. She`d found herself regularly raising her eyebrows just to lift the skin away from her eyes and had noticed a shadow appearing when she looked upwards and outwards, which was beginning to affect her peripheral vision.
Heavy upper eyelids can really knock people`s confidence, especially in social situations and in photos, and yet it`s one of the most straightforward areas to address.
The procedure itself takes around 45–60 minutes and is carried out while patients are awake under local anaesthetic. The scars sit within the natural crease of the eyelid, making them almost impossible to spot once healed
This is just 2.5 months post-surgery, and her scars are already settling beautifully. They`ll continue to fade over the next 12 months.
What do you think?