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Nov 1, 2017 Reporting from Niles, MI
Taking the First Step to Living Pain Free - Mary Ciaravino
https://www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/medical-services/surgical-services/da-vinci-patient-stories/Detail/taking-that-first-step-to-living-pain-free/?utm_source=Taking_the_First_Step_to_Living_Pain_Free&utm_medium=PatientStory_Landing&utm_campaign=InternalPages
Nov 1, 2017
Nov 1, 2017
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
Ten hours a day, six days a week. That’s how long Mary Ciaravino spends on her feet each day at Wolverine Metal Stamping in Stevensville. Mary started working there after deciding she needed a change from her desk job. Little did she know how that ca
Taking the First Step to Living Pain Free - Mary Ciaravino
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
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Taking the First Step to Living Pain Free - Mary Ciaravino
Nov, 2017
Physicians: Glen Hastings, MD; Pam Klint, NP
Ten hours a day, six days a week. That’s how long Mary Ciaravino spends on her feet each day at Wolverine Metal Stamping in Stevensville. Mary started working there after deciding she needed a change from her desk job. Little did she know how that career move would affect her physically.
“While I was standing I just felt pain, like an uncomfortable ache,” said Mary. “My right leg would swell so bad, my primary care provider, Pam Klint, NP, said I needed to make sure I didn’t have a blood clot.”
Further testing determined Mary’s veins might have been damaged from an old leg injury. That’s when Mary was referred to general surgeon, Glen Hastings, MD.
“I had a friend who had gone to Dr. Hastings,” said Mary. “She told me about how great he was with vein issues. He performed an ultrasound on me right in his office and told me I would be a good candidate for varicose vein treatment.”
Dr. Hastings and his staff offer a number of minimally invasive treatments to those suffering the painful effects of varicose veins.
“What that means is smaller incisions, or no incisions at all,” said Dr. Hastings. “Our goal is less pain during and after the procedure. We make sure to identify the problem properly first using state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment, and do everything we can to correct it for the patient.”
Because Mary’s veins were so damaged, she says Dr. Hastings recommended some of them be removed. The procedure involves the surgeon making a small incision in the skin to remove, or tie off, the blood vessel. Dr. Hastings also used a special laser to close off blood flow in Mary’s other problematic veins.
“The laser allows us to deliver a highly-concentrated beam of light to the damaged vein,” said Dr. Hastings. “The laser emits energy that closes the vein and seals it shut. Blood is then automatically routed to other, healthy veins.”
“He did it all right in the office,” said Mary. “I noticed an instant difference. My legs were transformed!”
Despite needing surgery, Mary said her recovery was quick and easy. All it took was a few days of compression stockings, and time to let her legs heal.
“There was no more discomfort, no more swelling. I couldn’t believe I didn’t miss a day of work,” said Mary. “I wasn’t in any pain, and that’s for someone with zero pain tolerance. I just had a bit of bruising. My legs are beautiful again!”
Even though she did her research about where to turn for help, Mary says it was the personalized care she received from Dr. Hastings and his staff that made the ultimate difference.
“They are just wonderful,” said Mary. “They were so gentle, caring, and very professional. They made me feel very comfortable, explaining everything, every step of the way. I felt very confident in my decision to have the work done, and that meant the world to me.”