Frequently Asked Questions

What happens on the first visit?

Comprehensive diagnostic consultation to determine your vascular issues.

After you contact Dr Hagley’s rooms, a member of our team will schedule an initial consultation. During your initial consultation, we will:

  • Evaluate your current vascular disease issue and how it developed.
  • Consider any previous treatments you have had performed.
  • Review other medical conditions that need to be considered.
  • Perform a thorough physical examination.
  • If needed, conduct diagnostic testing.

Personalized plan to resolve your unique problems.

Dr Hagley will analyse all diagnostic information from your initial consultation. Then, he will meet with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses your concerns and desires. He will explain the recommended procedure step by step and provide you with clear, treatment-specific instructions.

Post-treatment guidelines vary depending on the treatment. We will go over everything with you, and always know that our staff are more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

Will you work with my GP to make sure I get what I need?

Our mission is to support your doctor in the delivery of the best possible care. We take pride in cultivating great relationships with referring doctors, starting with making referrals easy, providing regular reports and always being accessible and responsive to consult with your GP. Dr Hagley sends letters back to your GP after each visit to keep them up to date with your progress.

What do I need to take to hospital?

Dr Hagley suggests that you remember to bring the following:

  • All of your medications including a list of the regular medications you take.
  • All of your x-rays and scans.
  • Any letters from your specialist or GP.
  • Your hospital preadmission pack.

If you are staying in hospital overnight or longer, we would recommend that you also take:

Clothing

  • Clothes for when you leave hospital.
  • Underwear.
  • Pyjamas.

Toiletries

  • Toothbrush and toothpaste.
  • Deodorant.
  • Shampoo and conditioner.
  • Any other things you use regularly at home (e.g. contact lens fluid, denture cleaner).

Other

  • Mobile phone and charging cable.
  • Laptop / iPad / music device.
  • Books / magazines.
Can DVT affect young and healthy people?

DVT mainly affects the older age group (over 60), but all ages are affected. Be aware of the DVT risk factors and adopt strategies to reduce this risk. Individuals carrying the abnormal clotting genes may suffer multiple blood clots at a young age. (link to chronic clot).

Is the oral contraceptive pill a risk factor for DVT?

Yes. However, the vast majority of women on the pill do not suffer from blood clots. Other risk factors, such as prolonged immobility, should be avoided when taking the contraceptive pill.

If I develop DVT, do I have to be on treatment forever?

No, not usually. In patients with a clear DVT trigger that is reversible, treatment usually takes 3 to 6 months. For cases in which the risk of developing new thromboses remains high (such as in patients with certain cancers or genetic abnormalities), therapy may need to be continued for months to years. Some patients remain on oral medication for life.

What can I do to help prevent DVT on a long flight?

Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes for travel. Drink plenty of water or juice, but avoid drinking alcohol. When seated, shift the position of your body periodically. You can also do simple exercises, or walk around the plane when safely permitted. Wear compression stockings, and avoid sleeping tablets. Sometimes, a preventative anticoagulation is used, which can be self-injected by the patient.

Can sclerotherapy treatment on leg veins cause DVT?

The DVT risk associated with sclerotherapy is exceptionally low, making it one of the safest procedures for vein treatment. Post-treatment compression and walking are important factors that help prevent DVT.

Does taking aspirin prevent DVT?

Although commonly taken and prescribed, there is no evidence that aspirin reduces the likelihood of DVT.

Can surgery on leg veins cause DVT?

The DVT risk associated with surgery can be quite significant. Reports of five per cent DVT after varicose vein operation on one leg, and 15 per cent after varicose vein operation on both legs, have appeared in scientific literature. The risk varies depending on patient factors such as age, weight, gender and degree of mobility after surgery. Most patients are discharged on the same day and are mobile fairly quickly, which is important in prevention of DVT.