Varicose Vein Specialist in Singapore

Who is a varicose vein specialist?

Varicose veins are a circulation problem: valves in the leg veins leak, blood flows the wrong way, and the veins near the skin stretch. Treating them well starts with finding out which veins are leaking and why.

A vascular surgeon is a specialist in the blood vessels outside the heart and brain, including the leg veins. Vascular surgeons assess the whole venous system with a duplex scan, treat the leaking trunk veins from the inside (radiofrequency, laser, glue or foam), remove or inject the visible branches, and recognise when leg symptoms come from a clot, an artery problem or something else.

Aesthetic practitioners may treat small surface veins for appearance. Bulging varicose veins, swelling, skin darkening, eczema, bleeding or ulcers are medical problems and are best assessed by a vascular specialist first.

When should you see a varicose vein specialist?

• Bulging veins that ache, throb or feel heavy, especially at the end of the day.
• Ankle swelling, skin darkening, itchy eczema or hardened skin around the ankle.
• A varicose vein that has bled, or a wound near the ankle that is slow to heal.
• Varicose veins that have come back after earlier treatment.

Call 995 for sudden breathlessness or chest pain. A suddenly swollen, painful leg needs a scan the same day to look for a clot: see DVT symptoms, same-day scan and treatment. Dr Choong sees urgent patients the same day at Mount Elizabeth Novena.

What happens at the first visit?

The consultation covers your symptoms, previous treatment, clot history and what you want from treatment. A duplex ultrasound then maps which veins are leaking. Where needed, the scan is done the same day, so the plan can be discussed at the same visit.

Treatment is chosen from the scan, not from the appearance of the leg alone. The options, from compression to radiofrequency, laser, glue, foam sclerotherapy and microphlebectomy, are explained in varicose vein treatment options, and the keyhole methods are compared in laser vs radiofrequency vs glue.

How to check a specialist

The Singapore Medical Council register lists every doctor's specialist registration. You can search it for any doctor and check whether they are registered as a specialist in vascular surgery. Dr Andrew Choong's training and qualifications (MBBS, PhD, FRCS, FEBVS (Hons), FAMS) are set out on his profile, and our guide on how to choose a vascular surgeon in Singapore covers what to look for.

Questions to ask at your first visit

• Which veins are leaking on my scan, and are they the cause of my symptoms?
• Which treatments do you offer, and why do you suggest this one for my legs?
• Is treatment needed now, or is it reasonable to wait?
• What does recovery involve, and when can I return to work and exercise?
• What affects the cost, and what will my insurer need? See varicose vein treatment cost in Singapore.

Common questions

Do I need a referral to see a varicose vein specialist?

You can book a private specialist consultation directly. Some insurers ask for a GP letter before they reimburse a specialist visit, so check your policy if you intend to claim.

Is a scan always needed?

A duplex ultrasound is the standard way to see which veins are leaking. It guides whether treatment is needed and which method suits each vein.

Are varicose veins only a cosmetic problem?

Not always. Aching, swelling, skin changes, bleeding and ulcers are medical problems. Read more on the varicose veins guide.

To arrange a consultation and scan, WhatsApp Dr Choong on +65 9027 8636 (he usually replies within the hour) or see all contact options. Clinic: Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, #09-22, 38 Irrawaddy Road, Singapore 329563.