Dr. Timothy J. Ryan is a board-certified vascular surgeon who has been treating varicose veins and other vascular diseases for over 20 years. His training and experiences has given him the knowledge of what varicose veins are, why they occur, and how to treat them.

As a native Lake County resident, Dr. Ryan returned to establish his practice here in Gurnee to give back to the community. He returned in 1977 after graduating with an M.D. degree from Creighton University Medical School. His fellowship and advanced training in vascular surgery was at the University of Illinois, College of Medicine, Chicago. His past medical leadership includes the Chairman for the Department of Surgery at St. Therese Hospital, Director of Trauma Services at Condell Medical Center, President of Medical Staff at Victory Memorial Hospital, and Chairman of the Department of Surgery and Credentialing Committee at Victory Memorial Hospital. His academic appointments include Assistant Professor of Vascular Surgery at Chicago Medical School.

Dr. Ryan believes that continuing education for himself and his staff gives them the aptitude to provide state of the art and optimal care to his patients. His continued education involves annual conferences and educational tutorials by the American College of Surgeons, Peripheral Vascular Surgical Society, American College of Phlebology, and Midwest Vascular Surgical Society. Dr. Ryan's dedication to provide individualized treatment plans is why he and his staff are able to meet each patients needs with the best possible outcomes.

About varicose veins

No two patients are alike and each one's veins are different. A history and physical exam will be performed by Dr. Ryan or his nurse at the initial visit. Dr. Ryan or an ultrasound technician would then do an ultrasound. An ultrasound is a non-invasive, pain free test that allows the doctor to see the veins through the skin. The results of the physical exam and the ultrasound will then help you and Dr. Ryan determine what treatment options are best for you.

What are varicose veins? Varicose veins are veins that are dilated or stretched out. They can be compared to a balloon that expands with each puff of air. This is can be caused by pregnancy. When the baby sits on the pelvic veins there is an increase in pressure in the legs causing the balloon-like effect. Just being female can cause varicose veins. Estrogen causes the walls of the veins to have less elasticity; therefore increasing your risk for varicose veins. Also heredity and jobs where you stand or sit in one position all day, can contribute to varicose veins.

What are the treatments for varicose veins? There are a variety of treatments for varicose veins. The treatment options are determined by the competency of the vein, or how well it is working which is determined by an ultrasound.  Some of the treatment options are:

EVLT™/ELAS is a non-invasive laser procedure that can be performed in the office under local anesthetic with minimal sedation. This procedure is performed in about one hour. For the first twenty-four hours after the procedure each patient needs to take it easy and perform no strenuous activities. After that he/she can return to normal activity.. This technique treats the underlying causes of varicose veins and has a 98% success rate!

Microphlebectomy is a non-invasive surgical procedure that is also performed in the office. The word "phlebectomy" literally means removing the vein. The day of the procedure, the doctor or nurse will mark your leg where the veins bulge out. Then, a special local anesthetic (numbing medication) called "tumescent" is injected into the area surrounding your vein. A small 2mm incision - the size of a ball point pen tip - is made and the vein is pulled out. This interrupts the vein, causing any remaining portions of the vein to "clot off", and the unsightly bulgy areas go away. Minimal bleeding occurs.

The advantages of both of these procedures are that no general anesthesia is used and no hospital stay is required.