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Austin Vascular Specialists
aus
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Wednesday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
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Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas
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Austin Vein Specialists
Austin
About
Bio
Board-Certified Vascular Surgeon. Vascular specialist who has expertise in the management of artery and vein diseases. Aneurysms, atherosclerosis, peripheral artery disease, carotid artery disease, dialysis access, DVT, varicose veins, spider veins, phlebitis. Endovascular procedures & open surgery.
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Vascular Surgery
General Surgery
Phlebology
Wound care
Doctor Q&A
366 Answers
28 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 37-year-old female asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
Varicose Veins: I would recommend that you pump milk prior to any treatment & feed your infant this during the days around treatment (or use formula as a alternative)... Read More
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 27-year-old female asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
Varicose Vein Creams: There is not any cream or topical medication available that is effective for treatment of varicose veins. If you have heard of some, they are unprove... Read More
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
Not likely: Varicose veins usually cause focal discomfort at the site of the visible veins or a diffuse leg discomfort below the knee. If you had a large cluster... Read More
3.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
Venefit Vein Therapy: The venfit procedure is a modern method of treating varicose veins which cures the condition and prevents future recurrence. It uses targeted radiofre... Read More
4.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
Prevention of veins: Many things can decrease the severity of varicose veins & their symptoms. But if you are genetically prone to varicose veins you will likely event... Read More
2.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 16-year-old female asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
You have higher risk: You definitely have a higher than average risk of developing varicose veins since your mother has them. Varicose veins are a hereditary condition, so ... Read More
2.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old female asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
Not Necessarily: It can take up to 6 weeks to get the appropriate response following evlt. Not everyone gets bruising or a hard cord in the leg following treatment, s... Read More
4.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 59-year-old female asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
Typically not: The INR should not play a role in how your leg pain feels. Fluctuations in the INR can affect the efficacy of the medication though (low INR could in... Read More
1.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
Blood vessel growth: Tumors arise when there is abnormal proliferation of cells within tissue. As tumors grow they stimulate angiogenesis or new blood vessel growth into ... Read More
2.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
Yes: Varicose vein symptoms can range widely from individual to individual. Itching is a common presenting symptom. Other symptoms include achiness, hea... Read More
2.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old male asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
See Vascular Surgeon: I would recommend that you see a vascular surgeon for a thorough assesment for treatment options. Hypercoagulable workup indicated. Stenotic vein may... Read More
2.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
Intervention: Activity, exercise, supplements, & compression therapy will have no effect on the APPEARANCE of your veins. Although these things may improve your... Read More
2.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
Sclerotherapy: Sclerotherapy is common therapy used to remove spider or varicose veins of the legs, whether for cosmetic or medical reasons. Small needles are insert... Read More
2.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old male asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
D-dimer: D-dimers are detectable as soon as clot forms & remains detectable during the acute fibrinolytic phase (clot breakdown phase). Although a D-dimer... Read More
2.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
Not varicose veins: Veins on the penis are not varicose veins. Varicose veins do not form in this location. You are likely just seeing prominent dorsal veins of the peni... Read More
2.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
Vein Resolution: Sclerotherapy can be a great option for treatment of variocse veins in many situations. It works best for veins that are 1-3 mm in diameter. It can ... Read More
2.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
Varicose Vein RX: There are many successful treatment options for varicose veins. Seek consultation with a vein specialists (i.e. vascular surgeon). Depending on your a... Read More
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
Depends of Anatomy: Whether there will be an effective method to "cure" your varicose veins will depend upon your underlying anatomy, which is genetically determined. Th... Read More
2.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
Vein Stripping: Vein stripping is a surgical procedure in which an underlying defective vein within the leg is removed, often the saphenous vein. It has been almost c... Read More
4.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old female asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
Varicose veins: Varicose veins are typically a genetic condition, but certain predisposing factors can make them present or progress more quickly. Being significanly... Read More
4.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
Ignore: There is a natural supplement that often helps relieve vein symptoms: horse chestnut extract!
2.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 22-year-old female asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
Rarely: As a vascular surgeon, I have seen several cases of DVT or deep venous thrombosis, that have occurred secondary to varicose vein disease. Typically i... Read More
2.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 60-year-old male asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
Not Going to Happen: Spider veins & varicose veins are 2 very different conditions. Spider veins are very small dermal veins. They can enlarge & increase in numbe... Read More
4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old male asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
Varicose Vein Causes: Usually varicose vein disease is genetically acquired. Weak vein valves progressively break as a result of venous insufficiency. Leg ultrasound often ... Read More
1.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 52-year-old female asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
See Vascular Surgeon: It would be unlikely that a splenic artery aneurysm of that size would be causing pain, but it is possible. Most splenic aneurysms are asymptomatic &a... Read More
3.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
1 comment
A 54-year-old female asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
Artery Aneurysm: Splenic artery aneurysms are the most common type of visceral artery aneurysm and usually require treatment to prevent rupture. At your age of 54 yo ... Read More
3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
Possibly: Patients with varicose veins have venous hypertension buildup inside their leg veins which often leads to accumulation of tissue fluid around the ankl... Read More
3.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old male asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
Generally no: That is a difficult question to answer without knowing the location and extent of the clot, but the general answer is no. Only deep clots are typicall... Read More
3.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
Varicose Veins Cause: No, it is not normal to get varicose veins, but it is a common condition. The abnormality usually arises as a result of a predisposed genetic weaknes... Read More
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
Not specific: A D-dimer is useful because it is very sensitive but the problem is that it is not specific for blood clots. Something else other than clot could cau... Read More
2.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
Endovenous laser: Complication chances are minimal. There a 1% risk of blood clot. There is a small chance of skin numbness as a results of thermal injury to nerves. ... Read More
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
EVLT Varicose Veins: Evlt, or endovenous laser therapy, for varicose vein disease is associated with very little discomfort. It is typically done in the doctors office usi... Read More
5.2k viewsReviewed Sep 30, 2020
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
Metal clip device: Dr. Welker's answer displays a picture of one type of aneurysm clip, which is commonly utilized in the brain. a aneurysm clip is a small piece of meta... Read More
1.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
Varicose vein pain: Not necessarily. Varicose veins often get larger during pregnancy which can lead to more symptoms, but increasing pain in leg veins can also indicate... Read More
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
Varicose Veins RX: Too numerous to discuss in detail. To actually remove the veins you would need a vein procedure done. Depending on you anatomy, this could be a vein ... Read More
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
EVLT Complications: Depends on who did the treatment & what the complication was. If a vascular surgeons performed your treatment, then they should be able to deal effec... Read More
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
Spider Vein Therapy: Horse chestnut extract is indicated for symptoms of varicose veins such as pain / swelling & is usually used in conjunction with compression stockings... Read More
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
Artery Disease Legs: Peripheral artery disease, or "pad" is a blood vessel condition that is usually the result of progressive plaque build-up within the walls of arteries... Read More
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
Absolutely: MD that is best qualified to treat varicose veins & vein diseases is board-certified vascular surgeon.They are only vein specialist that has forma... Read More
3.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
Sclerotherapy: Sclerotherapy is used to treat varicose veins & spider veins. A small needle is inserted into the abnormal cluster of veins & then medication ... Read More
2.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
None: No anesthesia is needed for sclerotherapy. It is done in the doctors office while you are awake. Since the needles are very small there is very litt... Read More
2.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
See Vascular Surgeon: You would need to see a vascular surgeon to be evaluated & treated. The first step is getting a venous reflux ultrasound to treat the underlying c... Read More
3.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
See Vein Specialists: Best place to get info in from a board-certified vein specialist who has dedicated their career to treat vein diseases & who performs sclerotherap... Read More
2.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
Venous Insufficiency: Venous insufficiency, or chronic venous reflux, is a condition in which the valves within the veins are weak and defective, allowing blood to stagnate... Read More
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
Yes: Varicose veins are very treatable & because of advances in technology, the treatments have become less invasive. They are often performed in the d... Read More
2.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
Good Results Typical: I have been performing varicose vein treatments for over 15 years & good results are to be expected in the majority. Technology has improved drast... Read More
2.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
Vein home therapies: Compression stockings and horse chestnut extract can often help with symptoms resulting from varicose veins. But unfortunately neither of these thera... Read More
2.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
Dialysis Access: Dialysis vascular acess refers to the method by which a patient is attached to a hemodialysis machine (artificial kidney machine that filters blood). ... Read More
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
Depends: In certain medical conditions it is advised to wear compression stockings as much as possible, even at night. This includes cases of venous statis ulc... Read More
2.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joel Gotvaldanswered
Vascular Surgery 26 years experience
Pulses and veins: Typically yes, there will be intact palpable pulses in a patient with isolated venous insufficiency. If the patient has both vein disease as well as ... Read More
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions, provide medical advice, write prescriptions, and more.
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
2
Recommendations
269
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Gotvald is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Gotvald is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
This was very helpful. Thanks! Your reply is the BEST of all received. You have placed me on the right track. I am totally comfortable with it and will stay with board certified vascular surgeon with ...Read More
HealthTap member
This was very helpful. Thanks! This gives me info that I can use. Much appreciated. I live across the street from the ocean and will have to lock myself indoors. Spiders seem inconsequential...
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer or tip was very helpful! My mom did see a vascular surgeon who told her blockage is too long & surgery's only good for 1-2 yrs. I will let her know to get a 2nd opin
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
University of Alabama School of Medicine, AL
Graduated 1996MD
Residency
General Surgery, St. Joseph Hospital & UT hospitals
Residency
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
Completed 2006
Residency
HOUSTON MEDICAL CENTER
Completed 2001
Residency
HOUSTON MEDICAL CENTER
Completed 2001
Residency
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
Completed 2006
Awards
America's Best Doctors, Castle Connolly Medical
America' Top Doctors, Castle Connolly
Five Star Rating, Healthgrades
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions, provide medical advice, write prescriptions, and more.
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