Vascular Surgeon FAQs
Vascular surgeon FAQs: what to expect and how to prepare
Many people feel unsure about seeing a vascular surgeon. In Perth, we aim to make your visit clear, calm and tailored to you across my Nedlands, Carine, Midland and Northam rooms.
About Dr Nishath Altaf
Understanding vascular surgery
The idea of seeing a vascular surgeon can feel daunting. My role is to assess your circulation carefully, explain your options in plain language and agree on a plan that fits your goals.
Vascular and endovascular surgeon Perth
A vascular surgeon is a doctor who diagnoses and treats problems of arteries and veins. This includes varicose veins, venous ulcers, peripheral artery disease, carotid artery disease, diabetic foot problems and abdominal aortic aneurysms. Treatment may involve lifestyle care, minimally invasive options or open surgery depending on medical assessment, clinical findings and your health status.
Depending on your condition, treatments may include endovenous laser ablation, VenaSeal glue ablation, sclerotherapy, ambulatory phlebectomies, angioplasty and stents, bypass surgery, carotid endarterectomy or carotid stenting, and open or endovascular aneurysm repair. We only recommend a procedure when the expected benefits outweigh the risks for you.
At your first visit, we will talk about your medical history and symptoms. We will check your circulation. If a duplex ultrasound is needed, we will organise it. Venous patients are usually scanned by PVDI before seeing Dr Altaf. Arterial patients are scanned on the day during the appointment. We will explain your results, discuss options, and cover risks, recovery and costs. We will also answer any questions you have.
Yes, a GP referral is often recommended to see a vascular surgeon. It shares helpful background and may allow Medicare rebates where eligible. If you are unsure, our team is more than willing to guide you on what to bring and how to prepare for your visit.
Vascular surgeons evaluate your entire circulatory system. They can identify underlying arterial or venous causes. They offer a full suite of treatments ranging from lifestyle advice and compression stockings to minimally invasive or surgical options. This broader approach helps tailor care to your anatomy, health and goals.
Dr Altaf consults in Nedlands, Carine, Midland and Northam. When you book, we will help you choose the location and time that suits you best.
Trained in both the UK and Perth, Dr Altaf leads the Vascular Surgery Department at Royal Perth Hospital and holds an academic post at Curtin University. With over 40 peer-reviewed papers and ongoing involvement in research and education, he applies current, evidence-based care in his practice.
Not at all. Each consultation is given the time it needs. That means we listen, examine, scan if needed, and make decisions together based on your health and goals.
Yes; vascular surgeons plan, create, and maintain dialysis access in close partnership with your renal team. They also monitor the access over time and can treat issues early, such as narrowing or clotting, to help keep dialysis running smoothly.
Restless legs usually need review by your GP or a neurologist. However, one possible cause is underlying vein disease, especially chronic venous insufficiency; this is when the veins in your legs don’t work efficiently and blood pools (the same issue behind varicose veins). If you also have leg swelling, varicose veins, or skin changes, a vascular check can help rule out a venous cause. More information and next steps https://draltaf.com.au/restless-legs-syndrome-specialists-perth/
Varicose veins
What are varicose veins?
The look of raised, twisty veins can be worrying. Minimally invasive treatment options may be considered depending on your scan results, anatomy and clinical need.
Vascular and endovascular surgeon Perth
Varicose veins are swollen, twisted veins in the legs caused by weak valves. Symptoms can range from aching, swelling, heaviness, and itching to skin changes and ulcers. If your legs feel tired or throb by day’s end, it is worth having time for a check-up.
No. Varicose veins can cause real discomfort including restless legs, night cramps, skin irritation, clots, and even ulcers. If you notice skin changes around the ankle or ongoing symptoms, it’s best to see your GP or a vascular specialist.
Depending on your scan and anatomy, varicose vein treatment options include endovenous laser ablation, VenaSeal glue ablation, sclerotherapy, and in select cases, open surgery. We decide together on the most suitable option based on your ultrasound map, vein anatomy and goals.
Minimally invasive varicose vein treatments are often walk-in, walk-out, with minimal downtime. This means you can return to normal activity depending on individual recovery. Some people wear stockings briefly. If vascular surgery is needed, recovery is longer, and we’ll go through all the details before you proceed. We will explain indicative timelines clearly before you book.
Yes, new veins can become problematic over time. Regular follow-up and lifestyle measures may help reduce recurrence risk. It’s important to stay active, manage your weight, and wear stockings as advised.
A fine laser fibre seals the faulty vein under local anaesthetic. It has a well-established effectiveness, typically short recovery, and small entry sites, individual recovery varies. The procedure is performed in our rooms with real-time ultrasound guidance.
A medical glue is delivered through a single needle to close the target vein. Stockings are usually not required afterwards and downtime is low. Available studies report excellent outcomes up to five years. Longer-term results are not yet fully established.
A sclerosant solution or foam is injected under ultrasound to collapse small varicose or spider veins. It is often used on its own for smaller veins or combined with laser or glue for the best overall result.
Open varicose vein surgery is a more traditional method done in hospital, involving vein ligation and stripping. It suits specific anatomies or where private insurance covers it. Recovery takes longer than minimally invasive care. Our team will explain indicative timelines clearly.
Yes; we share selected case studies to explain assessment and treatment steps. Start here: https://draltaf.com.au/blog/varicose-vein-case-study-perth/
and browse individual examples:
- Laser therapy for varicose veins: https://draltaf.com.au/laser-therapy-for-varicose-veins/
- High tie stripping and avulsions: https://draltaf.com.au/painful-varicose-veins/
- Sclerotherapy case: https://draltaf.com.au/sclerotherapy-for-spider-veins-perth/
Yes; we provide duplex vascular ultrasound and vein mapping in-clinic, which helps plan the safest, most suitable treatment. Learn what the scan involves and how we use the results: https://draltaf.com.au/vascular-ultrasound-perth/
Yes. Vascular surgeons are trained to assess the cause of varicose veins, perform an ultrasound-guided diagnosis, and offer minimally invasive treatments or surgery if needed. Learn more about options here: https://draltaf.com.au/varicose-vein-treatment-perth/
Yes; endovenous laser is a common, minimally invasive option for faulty trunk veins. It is chosen after an ultrasound confirms the vein pattern and suitability. Read more: https://draltaf.com.au/endovenous-laser-ablation-varicose-vein-removal-perth/
and a simple guide to heat-based treatments: https://draltaf.com.au/blog/endovenous-thermal-ablation-perth/
Most patients do not need open surgery; modern treatments use small entry points with laser, heat, medical glue, or targeted injections.
Vascular conditions
Understanding common circulation problems
Circulation issues can creep up quietly. Finding them early means we can act simply and safely in many cases.
Vascular and endovascular surgeon Perth
PAD is the narrowing of arteries in the legs due to plaque build-up. It may cause calf pain and cramps when walking, cold feet, or slow-healing wounds. It also raises the risk of heart attack and stroke. Lifestyle changes, exercise, and medication are first steps. In some cases, people need stents or bypass surgery depending on the blockage.
First-line care is lifestyle changes and medication. Some people benefit from procedures such as angioplasty, stents, atherectomy or bypass. The choice depends on blockage location, severity and your overall health.
An AAA is a bulge in the body’s main artery. Small aneurysms are monitored with regular scans. Larger or fast-growing ones may need endovascular stent repair or open surgery to reduce the risk of rupture. We decide based on scan findings and your general health.
Options include endovascular stent repair through small groin incisions or open surgical graft repair. The decision depends on aneurysm size and shape, your anatomy and general health. We will discuss pros and cons in full before any procedure.
Carotid artery disease involves narrowing of the neck arteries leading to the brain. It can cause TIAs or strokes. Treatment options include medication, lifestyle changes, and risk-factor control to carotid endarterectomy or stenting. Timing is critical if you have had recent symptoms.
Most leg ulcers are due to poor vein function but blocked arteries or diabetes can also play a role. We focus our assessment on blood flow, signs of infection, and vein function. Treatments may include compression, wound care, or circulation-enhancing procedures.
Cold feet, pain in the calves when walking that eases with rest, colour changes, non-healing sores on toes or feet, tummy pain after eating, dizziness or mini-strokes are red flags. Please see your GP or a vascular specialist promptly for assessment.
Venous disease is often described in stages from C0 to C6; this helps us match symptoms and findings with the right treatment plan. A simple overview is here, including what each stage means in everyday terms: https://draltaf.com.au/vein-disease-perth/
Your body has veins close to the skin and veins deeper inside the leg. The deeper veins sit between the muscles and carry a large amount of blood back towards the heart.
A deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, happens when a blood clot forms in one of these deeper veins. This can happen when blood flow slows down, when the blood becomes more likely to clot, or when the inside of the vein has been irritated or injured.
This is why DVT can sometimes happen after surgery, a hospital stay, long travel, illness, injury, or a period of not moving around much. When the calf muscles are not moving as usual, blood can move more slowly through the deep veins of the leg, which may increase the risk of a clot forming.
DVT is different from a clot in a surface vein. A clot in a deep vein can be more serious because part of it may break away and travel to the lungs. This is why symptoms such as one-sided leg swelling, calf pain, warmth or redness should be checked promptly.
If a DVT travels to the lungs, it is called a pulmonary embolism. This is a medical emergency and is usually managed in hospital by an emergency, respiratory, general medicine, intensive care or heart team, depending on the situation.
A vascular surgeon may still be involved in your care, especially if the clot started in the leg, if you have ongoing leg swelling or pain, or if there are longer-term vein concerns after the DVT.
If you have sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing blood, or you feel faint, call 000 or go to your nearest emergency department.
No. Varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, are not the same condition.
Varicose veins are enlarged veins that sit closer to the skin. They can look raised, twisted or blue, and may cause aching, heaviness, swelling or skin changes.
DVT affects the deeper veins inside the leg. It happens when a blood clot forms in one of these deep veins. This can be more serious because part of the clot may break away and travel to the lungs.
Both conditions are part of venous health, but they are different problems and need different types of care. Some people with vein problems may need a more careful assessment, especially if they have one-sided leg swelling, calf pain, warmth, redness, or a history of blood clots.
Vascular treatments
Making a booking with Dr Nishath Altaf
Yes, it’s recommended. It helps us understand your history and unlocks Medicare rebates where applicable. If you are unsure on what to ask your GP for, and how to send it through, our team can guide you.
Once we receive your referral, we’ll contact you to lock in a time and place. If you have questions about timing or locations, just give us a ring. We can also advise if a vascular ultrasound is likely to be arranged at your visit.
We do not routinely bulk bill. Costs for consultations and any scan fees will be discussed at the time of booking. Medicare rebates may apply with a valid referral. If a procedure is needed, we’ll give you a full written quote, including hospital and other fees.
Dr Altaf consults at clinics in Nedlands, Carine, Midland and Northam. We will help you pick the most convenient location and provide parking details and directions in your confirmation email.
No. “Vein doctor” is a general term; training and scope of practice vary. A vascular surgeon completes specialist surgical training in artery and vein care across the whole body. In this article, Dr Nish Altaf explain how to choose the right clinician: https://draltaf.com.au/blog/vein-specialist-perth/
No. Some doctors focus on cosmetic veins or single procedures; vascular surgeons offer comprehensive diagnosis, imaging, and the full range of treatments. More detail here: https://draltaf.com.au/blog/vein-specialist-perth/
About
Dr Altaf
As a vascular surgeon, I believe there is no one size fits all. This means appointments take as long until you fully understand the condition and are happy with my approach to get you the best treatment option.
