Before I had children I had pretty athletic looking legs because of volleyball. However, during my pregnancy with my first child in 1996, I had these veins come out of no where that made my legs swell up and look so unappealing. I would have people constantly asking me what was wrong with my legs.  After the birth of my son, most of the swelling seemed to go away but I was left with noticeable veins as a reminder.  After my second and third child, the veins continued to get worse with every pregnancy and swell up quicker and quicker.  They got so bad my OB/GYN suggested that I have no more children.

After the delivery of my son, I was referred to The Varicose Vein clinic. I have been a patient of theirs since 1997 and they have been very supportive and understanding throughout the entire time and documented everything for insurance purposes. Since I could not undergo any surgeries or treatment during pregnancy, they would offer advice in addition to any information that would provide comfort. Dr. Laborde and his staff are phenomenal! Not only did they consult me about treatment and make recommendations but they never made me feel like a patient. They always made me feel like a person who needed information to make the best decision about treatment.

Over the summer of 2005, I had several miniphlebectomy and sclerotherapy sessions. After the first session, I was almost in tears after I took off the bandages because not only did they start giving me my legs back but also my self confidence.  I am 33 years old and had not worn a pair of shorts for such a long period of time. I always thought the pain, discomfort and swelling I was feeling was just going to be a part of life I live with.  How do you express your gratitude in words when someone gives you back a part of your life? Dr. Laborde, you always made me laugh, thank you for being a real person not just a doctor, Betty, thank you for your constant smile and understanding, Elisabeth, thank you for your hand holding when I was whiney and staff, thank you for being so nice.

Jennifer R. Peña