vein care on the forefront of

Vascular Vein Centers leads the way in improving the health of your veins.

With the introduction of laser and radiofrequency ablation around the turn of the new millennium, the whole landscape of venous therapy changed. Previously, patients underwent an operation that required general anesthesia and lengthy recovery. However, due to other conditions and their age, many of these patients couldn’t have surgery with general anesthesia.

Now, there is a treatment that requires only local anesthesia and doesn’t cause any debility. As the medical director of Central Florida’s first wound care center, where a large percentage of patients suffer with venous ulcers around their ankle, this new technology has been a godsend. Those of us who embraced laser and radiofrequency ablation early noticed a significant reduction in the time to heal these ulcers. Additionally, we have seen a very low reoccurrence rate.

Before, compression was often the only treatment, but resulted in prolonged outcomes and frequent recurrence.

The new technology has also been a game changer, especially for those with symptoms of vein disease (aching, throbbing, pressure, cramps, and heaviness) and early signs of vein disease, such as swelling, shin dryness, and thickening. In the past, patients would have shied away from an operation because of what was entailed or rumors from a friend or family member who had the operation but experienced a less-than-optimal experience. Now, patients can rest easy knowing they will receive nothing but the utmost care.

With the greatest experience of any vein center in Florida, Vascular Vein Centers was one of the earliest practices to utilize this new, revolutionary laser technology. Let our experience in treating the most challenging cases throughout Central Florida benefit you!

Samuel P. Martin, MD, FACS Vascular Surgery/Phlebologist Founder and Medical Director

Daniel L. Arnold, MD, FACS Board Certified General Surgery/Phlebologist

Hugo V. Hart, MD, FACS Board Certified General Surgery/Phlebologist

I am whitewater rafting with my family down the Cache La Poudre River in Colorado. Toward the beginning of the trip I fall out and immediately think, “They’ll never be able to pull me back in the boat.”

I am in total panic and my daughters are laughing hysterically. Fortunately, the guide lifts me out of the water and back onto the boat very easily. That wouldn’t have been the case eight months ago. Of course, I never would have attempted whitewater rafting eight months ago, so I guess it wouldn’t have mattered. I’m proud that I put myself out there.

Growing up, I was a cheerleader and gymnast. Today, I started teaching pompom routines at The Villages Charter School for an afterschool activity program. It allows me to continue doing things with students and helps me achieve physical fitness at the same time. Again, I am participating in something I never would have tried eight months ago.

At 8:45a.m. I am preparing to run by myself. Being a people person, I miss being around fellow teachers and students. I’m having a pity party this morning. I take a picture of myself in front of a mirror and send the picture and a text message to my nutritionist Lori Esarey and two friends, B.E. Thompson and Jaime Alonzo. The message reads:

Day 214 Day 235 Day 242 226 Day

I treat myself to a pedicure today. Whenever I tried to lose weight in my prior life, I would always reward myself with unhealthy food. So instead of doing that, I now treat myself to pedicures, manicures, or shopping trips. I recently purchased a Michael Kors purse and watch.

Sometimesit’salonely journey…Headingout formyrun/walk…Being a mom/wife/friend/ andhealthyishardto balance…ButIamdoing it...God’sgrace.

Here’s part of what B.E. text messages me back!: Wow… can’t believe the difference! I know that feelingalltoowell.My personalexperience— I had to decide not to allow others’ decisions to impact whether or not I’d get up and do what I knew I had to do for me. You know what’s right for you and you’re obviously getting it done. It’s worth it!”

Today, I added another member to my health journey. I am now working with Laine D’Souza, a fitness trainer at LB CrossFit Gym in Lady Lake. When you are healing mentally, it is a positive thing to try something new along the journey. Like a smorgasbord, you want to try a little of everything. Laine is very uplifting and makes me focus on the positive while putting the negative away. When you are a woman who is overweight, it is nice to have a female in the mix because she has so much compassion. For me, it is so important to surround myself with a positive army during this important life journey.

I take the kids to a late-night football game. They are hungry after the game so at 10:45p.m. we stop at Steak N’ Shake. The kids order burgers and shakes, and they look so good. However, I order a grilled chicken salad with no dressing. The temptations are always there, but I work real hard at not slipping up.

My husband and I spend a weekend at Omni Championsgate in Kissimmee with a group of friends from Heritage Community Church. The resort has a large swimming pool and lazy river, so naturally I am terrified about wearing a swimsuit in front of people. While there, a woman named Summer approaches me and says she had been following my progress. She asks if I would lead an accountability group at church for people who are dealing with food-related struggles. For me, this is a wonderful opportunity to pay it forward and share with people what I have learned along the way.

Day 243 Day 243 Day 245 Day 250

I have finally mustered the courage to begin shopping in department stores. Before, I would always shop at Lane Bryant because they have a nice selection of plus-sized clothes. I’d always shop there for bras, underwear, and clothing items. On this day, though, I am shopping at Belk. A nice clerk offers to help me pick out some items and takes a size 14 pair of pants and large shirt off the rack for me to try. I’m thinking she is crazy and they’ll never fit me. In my mind, I still need size 20 pants and a 2XL shirt. But the clothes she picked out did fit me. I still see a heavy person in the mirror, but the tag sizes on my new clothing items are proof that I’m losing weight.

Coming In December

Be sure to check back with us in December to learn about Traci’s latest feats, challenges, and obstacles. If you are unfamiliar with Traci’s amazing journey, please read her stories in our April, June, and August issues of Healthy Living online at lakehealthyliving.com.

Lending Helping Hands in the Dominican Republic

Last year, Vascular Vein Centers completed their first medical samaritan trip to the Dominican Republic to take vein care to their impoverished citizens. Under the direction of Dr. Hugo Hart, a total of 56 vein procedures were performed on 11 local patients at the Hospital Buena Samaritano, a non-profit hospital located in La Romana. This was the first recorded use of laser therapy for leg veins in the Dominican Republic.

Through the Hispaniola Medical Charity, Dr. Hart, along with VVC staff and techs, will be donating their time and talent once again this October. Some medical supply vendors are making donations of medical supplies. VVC is not financing this trip this year, so they need your help to cover living expenses.

HOW CAN I HELP?

We are accepting tax-deductible monetary donations to the Hispaniola Medical Charity at all of our clinics. You can also visit our website at www.VVCmission.com.

“Hispaniola Medical Charity” a non-profit organization 501(c) (3), organized in honor of the Hart Family. Dr. Hugo Hart and his brother, Dr. Umbert Hart, Jr. set up the non-profit organization in honor of their father, a retired physician from the Dominican Republic who served as a surgeon. The mission is to provide medical, dental and surgical care to the impoverished people of Hispaniola, the island comprised