Meet Brandon
Brandon lives in San Antonio and has spent much of his life in the skies. After serving 20 years as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force, he now flies medical transport and business jets. Despite his cool-under-pressure profession, one issue had bothered him for years—his varicose veins.
“I probably had early-onset varicose veins,” Brandon shared. “I got them in my mid-twenties, and they just got worse over the next 15 years.”
The Turning Point
While stationed at Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio, Texas, Brandon began to notice severe bulging in his leg veins. “They almost looked like tumors under my skin,” he said. “Then I started getting sharp, shooting pains—it almost felt like something was passing through my veins. That’s when I thought, I’d better take this seriously.” Varicose veins run in his family—his father has them, too—but Brandon developed symptoms much earlier. Long missions at altitude, sometimes lasting 24 hours, likely made things worse.
Finding the Right Clinic
When his primary care doctor referred him to a local vein specialist, Brandon decided to look for a clinic with a strong reputation. His girlfriend searched online and found Medical Vein Clinic. “Because it was called Medical Vein Clinic and was so well-known, I thought—this is probably the perfect place for me.” He first visited Medical Vein Clinic’s Stone Oak location and was immediately impressed. “Both facilities are beautiful and state-of-the-art—clean, modern, and professional. That gave me peace of mind right off the bat.” For convenience, he completed his treatments at the Alamo Ranch clinic, which was closer to home.
Treatment and Experience
Ultrasound imaging revealed that while Brandon’s left leg had the most visible varicose veins, his right leg had deeper problem veins. His care team recommended radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and Varithena™ to treat both legs. “I’ll admit, I was nervous,” Brandon said. “I took a lot of time to think about it. I was worried about pain and side effects. But the staff was so open and honest—they really put me at ease.” In June 2025, Brandon underwent six consecutive days of treatment. “I was very worried about pain because I don’t have a high pain threshold,” he said, “but it didn’t hurt in the least. There was just minor discomfort, and the staff did an amazing job keeping me comfortable.”
Life After Treatment
Today, Brandon’s legs both look and feel dramatically better. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think they could shrink those veins down—but they did. I’m so thankful I went through with it.” His pain is gone, his veins are no longer bulging, and he’s back to enjoying life without discomfort or worry. His girlfriend, who supported him throughout, was equally impressed with his results. “She’s been so supportive,” he said. “She’s the one who encouraged me to go for it—and I’m so glad I listened.”
“I was nervous, but it didn’t hurt in the least—and the results are incredible. My legs feel amazing, and I’m so glad I made the decision to move forward.”
Brandon’s Takeaway
Brandon’s story shows how modern treatments like RFA and Varithena™ can change lives—without major surgery or downtime. With the right team and technology, even long- standing varicose veins can be safely and comfortably treated.