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Compassionate team focused on personalized, minimally invasive treatments for effective, safe care.
Expert team with extensive experience in vein health, offering trusted, high-quality care.
Cutting-edge technology provides innovative treatments that quickly improve comfort and appearance.
Warm, welcoming office setting designed to make patients feel at ease during treatment.

Side-by-side comparison of minimally invasive options offered at Sarasota Vascular Specialists.
| Feature | RFA (Radiofrequency Ablation) | VenaSeal | Sclerotherapy | Microphlebectomy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Large varicose veins with reflux | Large varicose veins (no heat preferred) | Spider veins & small varicose veins | Bulging surface varicose veins |
| How It Works | Thermal energy heats & closes the vein | Medical adhesive seals the vein shut | Solution injected to collapse the vein | Tiny incisions to physically remove veins |
| Anesthesia | Tumescent local anesthesia | Minimal (no tumescent needed) | None required | Local anesthesia |
| Procedure Time | 30-45 minutes | 30 minutes | 15-30 minutes | 45-60 minutes |
| Compression Stockings | 1-2 weeks required | Not required | 1-2 weeks recommended | 1-2 weeks required |
| Success Rate | 95%+ (SVS guidelines) | 94-97% | 80-90% (may need multiple sessions) | 95%+ |
| Return to Activity | Same day / next day | Same day | Immediately | 1-2 days |
| Insurance Coverage | Yes (with medical necessity) | Yes (with medical necessity) | Cosmetic: No / Medical: Yes | Yes (with medical necessity) |
Your board-certified vascular surgeon will recommend the best treatment based on duplex ultrasound mapping of your venous anatomy. Many patients benefit from a combination of procedures.

Answers from our board-certified vascular surgeons to help you make informed decisions about your vein health.
Sarasota Vascular Specialists offers several minimally invasive treatments: Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) uses thermal energy to close damaged veins, VenaSeal uses a medical adhesive to seal veins shut without heat or tumescent anesthesia, sclerotherapy injects a solution to collapse spider veins and small varicose veins, and ambulatory microphlebectomy removes larger surface veins through tiny incisions. Your surgeon will recommend the best approach based on ultrasound mapping of your venous anatomy.
Common signs include visible bulging veins, leg heaviness or fatigue (especially at the end of the day), swelling in the ankles or calves, skin discoloration near the ankles, restless legs, leg cramps, and itching or burning around veins. If you experience any of these symptoms, a vascular ultrasound can determine whether venous reflux (backward blood flow) is the underlying cause.
Yes, most insurance plans including Medicare and Medicaid cover varicose vein treatment when medical necessity is documented. Our team handles insurance verification and prior authorization before your procedure. A diagnostic ultrasound and conservative treatment trial (such as compression stockings for a period) are typically required by insurers before approving a procedure.
Most patients return to normal activities the same day or next day. You will wear compression stockings for 1–2 weeks and are encouraged to walk immediately after the procedure. There is no general anesthesia, no hospital stay, and minimal downtime. Mild bruising or tenderness is normal and typically resolves within 1–2 weeks. Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided for about one week.
Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins that bulge above the skin surface and often cause symptoms like pain, heaviness, and swelling. Spider veins are smaller, flat, red or purple veins visible on the skin surface that are primarily a cosmetic concern. Both are caused by venous insufficiency, but varicose veins typically indicate a more significant underlying circulatory problem that may require treatment.
Most minimally invasive vein procedures take 30–60 minutes and are performed in our office under local anesthesia. Sclerotherapy sessions typically take 15–30 minutes. You can drive yourself home after most procedures, and many patients schedule treatment during a lunch break or between errands.
Treated veins are permanently closed and reabsorbed by the body. However, new varicose veins can develop over time because the underlying tendency toward venous insufficiency remains. Annual follow-up ultrasounds help detect any new reflux early. Maintaining a healthy weight, staying active, and wearing compression stockings when recommended can reduce the chance of new varicose veins forming.
Our practice is led by five board-certified vascular surgeons who are all Fellows of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) and hold RPVI certification in vascular ultrasound interpretation. Unlike cosmetic vein clinics, we are trained surgical specialists who diagnose and treat the full spectrum of venous disease — from spider veins to deep vein thrombosis. Our in-office vascular lab allows us to perform diagnostic ultrasound and treatment in the same visit, and most patients are seen within the same week.