Questions to Ask Your Vein Doctor Before Starting Treatment
When it comes to treating vein disease, there’s no shortage of clinics and doctors offering procedures that promise relief. But here’s the truth: not all vein specialists are the same, and the quality of your results depends heavily on who you choose for your care.
That’s why it’s important to go into your first consultation armed with the right questions. The more you know about your doctor’s qualifications, treatment approach, and philosophy, the more confident you’ll feel about your decision — and the better your chances of getting the outcome you want.
Below are some of the most important questions you should ask before committing to any vein treatment.
1. What Is Your Board Certification — and Why Does It Matter?
This is the first question to ask, because board certification tells you a lot about a doctor’s formal training and expertise. Unfortunately, the term “vein specialist” is not a protected title. That means almost any physician — regardless of specialty — could call themselves a vein doctor after taking a weekend course.
For the safest, most effective care, you’ll want to see a physician who is board certified in a specialty with dedicated training in veins and vascular health. The two main specialties that fit this bill are:
- Interventional Radiology (IR) – Specialists who have extensive training in minimally invasive, image-guided procedures for the veins and arteries.
- Vascular Surgery – Surgeons with in-depth experience in surgical and non-surgical treatments for vascular conditions.
These fields require years of residency and fellowship training, so the doctors come equipped with the technical skills and anatomical knowledge needed for complex vein procedures.
Pro tip: You can verify board certification through your state medical board or the American Board of Medical Specialties website. This ensures you’re working with someone whose credentials match their claims.
2. What Happens if I Don’t Get Treated?
A reputable vein doctor should be honest about whether you truly need treatment right away. In most cases, vein disease is not an emergency. You can choose to wait — but it’s important to understand the likely consequences.
Without treatment, vein problems often progress over time. The affected veins can stretch more, causing increased backward blood flow (venous reflux). This can lead to more symptoms such as swelling, heaviness, aching, skin changes, and, in some cases, ulcers.
Dr. Tonie Reincke always discusses the “do nothing” option with her patients. While she encourages treatment for those who are symptomatic, she believes informed decisions are better than rushed ones.
3. Is There Flexibility in the Treatment Plan?
Every patient’s situation is unique, and so is their comfort level with treatment. The best vein doctors understand this and are willing to tailor the plan to your needs.
For example, some patients prefer to start small — treating just one vein or one leg to see if there’s symptom improvement before moving forward. At Reincke Vein Center, Dr. Reincke supports this approach when appropriate.
It’s also common for patients to come in wanting treatment on just one leg, only to later realize the other leg also has symptoms. The important thing is to feel comfortable with the pace of your treatment.
That said, there is one timing consideration: insurance authorizations often have expiration dates. If you delay too long, you might have to go through the approval process again.
4. Will I Need Future Treatments?
Here’s something many people don’t realize — vein treatment is effective, but it’s not a permanent cure. Vein disease is a chronic condition, and while treated veins are permanently closed, new problem veins can develop over time.
This doesn’t mean you’ll need constant procedures, but it does mean you should be prepared for the possibility of additional treatments down the road. The good news is that catching new issues early usually makes them easier to treat.
At Reincke Vein Center, follow-up care is a big part of the process. Dr. Reincke performs thorough ultrasounds after every procedure to confirm the veins are closed and to monitor overall vein health.
5. How Do You Decide Which Treatment Is Best for Me?
There are several minimally invasive options for treating vein disease, including radiofrequency ablation, sclerotherapy, and ambulatory phlebectomy. The choice depends on the type of vein involved, its size, location, and the severity of your symptoms.
A skilled vein doctor will evaluate your veins with an ultrasound and explain why one treatment is recommended over another. If a provider seems to offer only one type of procedure for every patient, that’s a red flag.
6. Can You Show Me Before-and-After Photos of Your Own Patients?
While results vary, photos can help you set realistic expectations. Just make sure the photos are of actual patients the doctor has treated — not stock images from the internet.
Dr. Reincke keeps a portfolio of before-and-after results so patients can see what’s possible in cases similar to their own.
7. How Do You Ensure My Comfort During Treatment?
Many patients worry about whether vein procedures will hurt. The truth is that modern treatments are quick and well-tolerated, especially when performed by an experienced doctor.
At Reincke Vein Center, Dr. Reincke takes extra steps to keep patients comfortable. This includes applying a topical numbing cream, using a cold numbing spray before injections, and making sure patients are adequately anesthetized before starting.
8. What Payment and Insurance Options Are Available?
Some vein procedures are covered by insurance when they are medically necessary, but purely cosmetic treatments — like those for spider veins without symptoms — are usually not covered.
It’s important to ask upfront what your insurance will cover, whether you can use a Health Savings Account (HSA), and if payment plans are available. Many clinics, including Reincke Vein Center, offer options like CareCredit, which often has interest-free financing for a set period.
The Bottom Line
Vein treatment is about more than closing off problem veins — it’s about improving your health, comfort, and confidence. By asking the right questions, you can ensure you’re getting care from a qualified, experienced physician who will tailor your treatment to your needs.
Dr. Tonie Reincke, a board-certified interventional radiologist, has years of specialized training in vein and vascular procedures. At her solo practice in Sugar Land, she offers patient-focused care, advanced minimally invasive treatments, and a commitment to long-term vein health.
If you’re ready to learn more, schedule a consultation and get answers to all your questions — before, during, and after treatment.