An Easy Choice
Amy Sharp

“Fifteen years ago, I had vein stripping surgery done on a varicose vein. It was large and ugly, started at my thigh, was really bad on my knee and worked its way down my leg,” says Houston resident, Kathleen Kruger. “The procedure was extremely painful, leaving me bedridden for a couple of days and unable to exercise at all for six weeks. And much to my dismay, the vein came back!” Though she wasn’t in physical pain, the vein was painfully unattractive for Kathleen. “I started to wear pants all the time,” says Kathleen. “Dresses and shorts were no longer part of my wardrobe.”

But when Kathleen’s General Practitioner saw the vein, he thought it was much more than a cosmetic problem…and thought it needed treatment. This time Kathleen did her homework. “I know there are no guarantees, but I wanted something less invasive, less painful, and more likely to not fail. And I was looking for the procedure to be covered by insurance.” Kathleen’s case landed in the skilled hands of vascular surgeon, Dr. Ulises Baltazar, MD. “Dr. Baltazar was great,” says Kathleen. “He was very straightforward and honest about what he could do, and took time to make sure I understood the problem and all my options.”

“Treating varicose veins has become less-invasive and much easier for patients,” says Dr. Baltazar. “Kathleen’s doctor was right to recommend repeat treatment on the vein. What may seem like a cosmetic problem is actually a vascular health problem. When the valves in your veins are unhealthy, blood can then flow backward and pool inside the vein, and then it swells…leading to venous diseases like spider veins, varicose veins and venous stasis ulcers. The condition can become extremely uncomfortable, painful and potentially dangerous if not treated by someone who understands the problem. And since we could prove the vein was not working properly, insurance covered the procedure!”

Post procedure, Kathleen was shocked by how great she felt. “Unlike the first time I had the vein treated, this time was so easy! I literally took a walk down my street that same afternoon. There was no pain, just a mild twinge here and there reminding me that something had been done to my leg. And I was completely back to normal in a couple of days. The vein is now 90% smaller than it was when I stepped into Dr. Baltazar’s office. If I had known how easy it could be, I would have gotten the treatment done years ago!”

Board-certified in Vascular Surgery with a reputation that is second to none, Dr. Baltazar has been treating diseases of the arteries and veins for more than a decade. “I would absolutely and without reservation recommend Dr. Baltazar to anyone,” says Kathleen, “He is wonderful!”

Ulises Baltazar MD, RVT, FACS
Sugar Land Vein Specialists
281-240-8400
16605 Southwest Freeway Ste 505
(in the Methodist Professional Building 3)