insideKENT Magazine Issue 63 - June 2017 | Page 134

HEALTH+WELLNESS
WHAT SHOULD YOU ASK
THE DOCTOR BEFORE
HAVING VARICOSE VEIN
TREATMENT?
VARICOSE VEINS ARE VERY COMMON
BUT TREATMENTS ARE RARELY AVAILABLE
ON THE NHS. IF YOU ARE THINKING
ABOUT HAVING YOUR VEINS TREATED
THEN YOU WILL PROBABLY NEED TO GO
TO A PRIVATE MEDICAL CLINIC TO SEE A
VASCULAR SURGEON OR VASCULAR
INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGIST, LIKE
DR MO FARIS (PICTURED LEFT) AT THE
COODEN MEDICAL GROUP.
Wherever you go, it’s important that you feel
comfortable and confident with both the clinic and
the clinician who will be doing the procedure.
Many clinics offer the opportunity to visit to find
out more about the treatments and to talk to the
medical practitioners about the procedures.
Dr Faris says: “You must ask as many questions as
you like – when it comes to your health there’s no
such thing as a silly question, so do ask anything,
however trivial it might seem.”
Dr Faris suggests that you make a list of questions
to bring along to your first appointment. “It can
sometimes be a little overwhelming on your initial
visit and something that you really wanted to find
out may slip your mind. Having a checklist to hand
will help you to make sure that you get all the
information you need to make an informed
decision about having a medical procedure.”
Here are some questions you might want to ask
your clinician at your first appointment.
• What are the benefits and risks of the different
treatment options?
• Which kind of treatment is most suitable for me?
• How is the treatment carried out?
• How long will it take?
• Who will be doing the procedure and what
experience do they have?
• Where will the procedure be carried out? Is it
possible to see the room?
• How many appointments will I need altogether?
• Will I need any tests beforehand? If so, what will
they be?
• Will I be able to walk and drive afterwards?
• Is there anything I should avoid doing after my
treatment?
• Does the cost of the treatment include all the tests
and aftercare?
• What will my veins look like afterwards?
• How long will it take to completely recover?
134
When you visit you will also meet other
members of staff who may be looking after
you during your treatment. If they are
friendly and go out of their way to put you
at ease then that is a good indication of a
well-run establishment. You shouldn’t feel
under any pressure to commit to having a
medical procedure – it is absolutely fine to
go away and digest all the information and
perhaps discuss with your family before
making any decisions. If you have further
questions then you should be able to call
the clinic and talk to someone.
www.coodenmedicalgroup.com