The Totality Blog
Veins 101: Why do Varicose Veins itch?
We know how frustrating varicose veins can be... Not only are they unsightly, but they ITCH. Why do they itch?!?! The reason is a condition associated with varicose veins called Venous Stasis Dermatitis. This condition is caused by blood building up in the veins and...
Veins 101: How are Varicose Veins Treated?
One of the most common questions people with Varicose Veins ask is: How do I get rid of them? At Totality, we offer several treatment modalities to get rid of those persistent Varicose Veins. Previously, Varicose Veins were physically cut out of the body, resulting in...
Veins 101: Vaginal Varicose Veins
Vaginal Varicose Veins… What a nuisance! Unfortunately, pregnant individuals are most at-risk for developing them. Vaginal Varicose Veins are very normal, and are referred to as Vulvar Varicosities, since they don't actually impact the vaginal canal and only the...
Veins 101: Are Varicose Veins Genetic?
Have you ever wondered if varicose veins are genetic? We have the answer for you! Yes, varicose veins are hereditary. If you have a close relative that has varicose veins, you have a much higher chance of developing them yourself. Here are some statistics for you: If...
Veins 101: What even are Varicose Veins?
Welcome to the first session of Veins 101... We hope that this new blog series will teach you all the ins and outs you need to know about your veins, how they work, and what can be done to treat problems that arise. In this first post, we will be covering the...
The Importance of Self-Care and Your Health
The term "Self-Care" has become increasingly popular over the last several years. Many people highlight the importance of self-care, but few talk about the actual health implications that research associates with a lack of good, consistent self-care. With self-care...
Does my insurance cover varicose vein treatments?
Many patients and individuals wonder if the expensive health insurance they pay for will cover treatment of their varicose veins. In a nutshell, the answer is yes. As with all health insurance covered procedures and treatments, however, there are some hoops to jump...
Is Varicose Vein Removal my only option??
For many years, the primary way to treat varicose veins was to physically remove the vein from the body in a procedure known as vein stripping. Thanks to medical developments and research, this is no longer your only option!! There are now many noninvasive treatment...
Varicose Vein Treatment – Easy New Year’s Resolution!
At Totality, our specialty is treating Varicose Veins. Dr. KathyLee Santangelo has been exclusively treating varicose veins for more than ten years, practicing previously as a cardiothoracic surgeon. With loads of experience and many treatment options, Totality can...
Lower Leg Discoloration: What Does It Mean?
Reddish, brown discoloration of the lower leg is often due to Chronic Venous Insufficiency, and this discoloration is called Venous Stasis Dermatitis. Oxygenated blood is pumped to the body by the heart. It is returned to the heart for re-oxygenation by a system of...
Leg Wound That Will Not Heal?
A venous skin ulcer is a shallow wound that occurs when the leg veins do not return blood back toward the heart the way they should. This is called venous insufficiency. These ulcers usually form on the sides of the lower leg, above the ankle and below the calf....
WE DO LEGS!
At Totality, we specialize in the treatment of varicose and spider veins. Our state-of-the-art treatments are provided by a team with over 60+ years experience, and are provided in-office, usually within one hour. No expensive, unnecessary hospital costs or operating...
Why treat varicose veins, they won’t affect my health will they?
Yes, in some people, varicose veins can cause serious health complications. 50% of all Americans have varicose veins, and two-thirds of women over the age of 60 have them. Other than an unsightly appearance, some people have no other symptoms. Many experience aching...
All you need to know about varicose veins and pregnancy
From our video archives: Dr. KathyLee Santangelo answers frequently asked questions regarding varicose veins and pregnancy. Part 1: Why some pregnant women develop varicose veins while pregnant: https://www.facebook.com/totalityOK/videos/689877914806967/ Part 2: What...
What Are Spider Veins?
Spider veins are a group of dilated veins that appear close to the surface of the skin and look like spider webs or tree branches. They are usually red or blue. Although they can develop anywhere, they are most common on the legs and face. Spider veins are very...
Are You Ready?
Are you beach ready? If not, get rid of those spider veins today! Buy one 60 minute sclerotherapy session at full price ($300) and get your next 60 minute session for 50% OFF ($150)!* Sale starts Monday, 07/15/19 and continues until Labor Day! Call us at 405.739.6596...
Is that a bruise?
Do you have a red or purplish patch on your leg that may look like a bruise but never goes away? This "bruise" may actually be a condition called matting, a cluster of extremely fine spider veins grouped together in a network. They usually appear on the inner or outer...
Are Your Legs Ready for Summer?
Do you have varicose or spider veins, age spots, small areas of tiny veins that resemble a bruise, or cellulite? At Totality, we have the answer! These include vein ablations, sclerotherapy, laser and body contouring treatments. For a free vein screening or a free...
Why Do I Need an Ultrasound to Diagnose My Obvious Varicose Veins?
At Totality, we are asked this question frequently. First, both Medicare and private insurance companies require an ultrasound to diagnose the source of your varicose veins. An ultrasound finds and documents the vein that is problematic. The examination will also...
Did You Know?
Did you know that outpatient clinics like Totality that provide vascular ultrasound imaging must meet higher standards than hospitals to be eligible for reimbursement from Medicare? The reason you should consider Totality for treatment of your varicose veins is our...
Medicare or Medicare Advantage: Is there a difference in vein treatment?
The answer is... yes. At Totality, we accept both Medicare and Medicare Advantage patients for vein treatment, however, there are differences between the programs that you should be aware of. First, a Medicare patient is able to select their own provider and seek...
Which Compression Stockings Are Right For Me?
People consider wearing compression stockings for different reasons, from relieving leg swelling caused by standing on their feet all day at work, to helping prevent a potentially life-threatening condition like Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). For whatever reason you are...
Spider Veins Before and After Sclerotherapy
Have ugly spider veins that have you wearing pants on a 100 degree summer day? Sclerotherapy may be your answer. Sclero is a non-surgical procedure that uses a sclerosing agent injected directly in the veins to seal and close them off. If you are interested in...
Spider Veins: Cosmetic or Problematic?
Spider veins are those tiny red, blue, or purple veins that often appear on our legs and ankles as we age. In most cases, spider veins are a cosmetic issue that is easily treated with sclerotherapy. However, it is important, especially if they cause aching, heavy, or...
Totality Participates in National Study on the Effect of Varithena on Wounds Caused by Venous Disease
Veins within the legs are key in assisting the return of blood to the heart. This process occurs when muscles within the leg (calf muscles) contract, forcing blood upward through a series of one-way valves within the veins to the heart. When these tiny valves become...
Spider Veins?
Sclerotherapy is a non-surgical procedure used to treat varicose and spider veins. Although we usually use sclerotherapy on the legs, it can be used virtually anywhere on the body where unsightly veins appear. During a sclerotherapy treatment session, solutions are...
3 Years or 5 Days? Which Would You Choose?
FIVE DAYS. After dealing with a painful leg wound for 3 YEARS, once the proper diagnosis was made and this man's problematic, diseased vein was treated with Varithena, his wound began to heal immediately! When small valves in the lower leg fail, blood cannot be...
What’s the Difference? Vein Treatments in Brief
At Totality, we utilize 4 types of treatments to ablate (seal or close) varicose veins. They are: VenaCure EVLT (laser ablation), Venefit (radiofrequency ablation), and Varithena (chemical ablation), and Venaseal (medical adhesive ablation). Both laser and...
March is DVT Awareness Month: What You Should Know
What is Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)? When a blood clot forms in the deep veins of the body, it is called deep vein thrombosis, or a DVT. DVT occurs most commonly in the legs; although it can occur anywhere in the body, such as the veins in the abdomen, or around the...
Venous Leg Ulcer?
A venous skin ulcer is a shallow wound that occurs when the leg veins don't return blood back toward the heart the way they should. This is called venous insufficiency. These ulcers usually form on the sides of the lower leg, above the ankle and below the calf. Venous...
“Will removing my varicose veins cause problems with circulation in my legs?”
There are 2 types of veins in your leg, deep and superficial. The deep veins of the leg are responsible for moving 90% of the blood from your legs up to your heart. The superficial veins primarily hold blood and move only 10% of the blood toward the heart. When valves...
Totality Participates in Varithena Study
Totality is proud to have been asked to participate in a new study by the makers of Varithena, the British Technology Group. As the first and only vein care center in Oklahoma to currently use Varithena in the treatment of varicose veins, we were one of the first...
What Are Spider Veins And Who Gets Them?
Spider veins are a group of dilated veins that appear close to the surface of the skin and look like spider webs or tree branches. They are usually red or blue. Although they can develop anywhere, they are most common on the legs and face. Spider veins are very...
Why You Should Consider Totality For Your Ultrasound Imaging Needs
At Totality, we use ultrasound imaging every day to diagnose venous disease. What you may not know, is that we also offer ultrasound examinations of veins and arteries of the legs and arms, carotid arteries, abdominal structures, thyroid glands, renal arteries,...
Those Varicose Veins Could Become a Problem: How Venous Insufficiency Can Lead to Leg Ulcerations
Varicose veins develop when tiny, one-way valves in leg veins become damaged and non-functional. This causes blood to pool in the veins instead of returning to the heart. The veins then bulge or varicose and the leg may become achy, heavy, swollen, and unsightly...