Tag: Gilroy Vascular Surgeon

When One Leg Swells: Why Dr. Polly Kokinos is Santa Clara County’s Go-To Expert for May-Thurner Syndrome

Posted on by Michael Kokinos

Swelling in one leg should never be ignored. It’s not normal — and it’s not something a pair of compression socks can fix. More often than not, it’s a red flag. One of the most underdiagnosed causes? A condition called May-Thurner Syndrome (MTS), also known as iliac vein compression.

Dr. Polly Kokinos, a board-certified vascular surgeon with elite training from Columbia, UCSF, and Washington University, is the physician that primary care doctors, cardiologists, and even other vascular specialists turn to when they suspect something more serious is at play. She’s not just a vein doctor. She’s where the buck stops.

What Is May-Thurner Syndrome?

May-Thurner Syndrome occurs when the right iliac artery compresses the left iliac vein against the spine, restricting blood flow out of the left leg. This leads to swelling, pain, heaviness, and in some cases, deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

It often goes undiagnosed because surface ultrasounds can’t see into the pelvis — which is where the problem lies. Only a vascular surgeon with advanced imaging capability and specialized training can make this diagnosis accurately.

Symptoms That Mean It’s Time to Call Dr. Kokinos

– Swelling in one leg (usually the left)
– Aching or heaviness after walking or standing
– Skin discoloration or visible pelvic veins
– Previous DVT or unexplained leg pain
– History of misdiagnosed or recurring leg swelling

Why Experience — and Board Certification — Matter

Many providers advertising vein care are not board-certified vascular surgeons. Some have no hospital privileges and refer out complex cases they’re not equipped to treat.

Dr. Kokinos is different:
– She has performed thousands of advanced venous interventions.
– She does not refer out — she diagnoses and treats MTS herself.
– She holds active hospital privileges across Santa Clara County.
– Her training gives her the ability to recognize what most miss.

What patients are saying about Dr Kokinos

🗣️ Patient Testimonial 1:

“My experience with South Bay Vascular, and Dr. Kokinos, was outstanding. Since my procedure, I have had ZERO of any of the symptoms I had been experiencing: no swelling, no ankle pain, no varicose vein, and no clots. Could not be happier!”
— SBVC Patient ​southbayvascular.com

🗣️ Patient Testimonial 2:

“Highly recommend this place for vascular surgery. Dr. Kokinos knows her stuff, spends extra time before and after the surgery, double checks everything with…”
— Yelp Reviewer ​Yelp+1MapQuest+1

Dr. Polly Kokinos: The Physician Other Physicians Trust

Whether you’re a busy professional, a mom, or a retiree, you deserve answers. If your leg swelling has been dismissed or misdiagnosed, now is the time to get the clarity you deserve — from the physician who sees what others don’t.

Call (408) 376-3626 today to schedule your advanced vascular consultation.

Confident Legs. Confident Life. Trust your legs to Dr. Polly Kokinos — the valley’s most trusted name in vascular care.

ANEURYSMS: WHAT ARE THEY AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE ONE?

Posted on by Michael Kokinos

Of the many reasons that a patient can be referred to a vascular surgeon, one is that their referring physicians believes that their patient may have developed an aneurysm.  Aneurysms, typically speaking, form in arteries which are the specialized vessels that carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body under high pressure.  When the wall of an artery weakens, it can develop into a balloon-like dilation called an aneurysm. (See below). This most commonly occurs in the main blood vessel in your abdomen, which is called the abdominal aorta. When the blood vessels dilate to 50% greater than their normal diameter, the vessel has become an aneurysm.

 

 

Interestingly, the reason why aneurysms form is actually poorly understood.  We know that smoking cigarettes and a family history of aneurysms increases the risk that a patient will develop an aneurysm, but no direct cause-effect relationship has been established.  Diabetes mellitus, however, appears to have a protective effect.  That is, the presence of diabetes appears to help prevent aneurysms!  The other health risks of diabetes including neuropathy and infection, of course, make diabetes an undesirable health problem to have.

Aneurysms have two main catastrophic problems: Rupture and thromboembolization.  (to learn more about aneurysms visit our website at https://www.southbayvascular.com/aneurysms/  Rupture refers to a tear in the wall of the blood vessel resulting in a leakage of blood.  When aneurysms in the abdomen rupture, the amount of blood loss into abdomen can be life threatening and result in death within seconds.  Thromboembolization refers to the formation of blood clot within the aneurysm that then breaks off and goes somewhere else.  When aneurysm and associated blood clot form in the abdomen, these blood clots can break off and travel to the leg resulting in a lack of blood flow to the legs.  Such a sudden cessation of flow to the legs can result in the death of the foot and/or legs within hours.

As you can see arterial aneurysms can be very troublesome.  Luckily, vascular surgeons have many tools and instruments that we can use to treat these aneurysms in a minimally invasive way.  In my blog next week, I will go over the different options for treating aneurysms in the abdomen.  If you or someone you love have been told that you may have an aneurysm, please call our office immediately to schedule an appointment for a full vascular work-up. 408-376-3626

We Can Help!

 

THE “RIGHT” EXPERIENCE COUNTS WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR HEALTH

Posted on by Michael Kokinos

The “RIGHT” Experience Counts When It Comes to Your Health! South Bay Vascular Center and Vein Institute is the Bay Area’s Most Trusted Varicose Vein Clinic and Treatment Center.

Having performed over 20,000 vein procedures in the past 24 years, more independent doctors refer their vein patients to Dr. Polyxene (Polly) Kokinos than to any other vascular surgeon in the greater Silicon Valley region. Recognized as San Jose’s most experienced Vascular Surgeon and Varicose Vein Expert, Dr Kokinos offers cutting edge care to patients suffering from all forms of both arterial and venous disease.

Here’s why more local doctors refer to South Bay Vascular than to any other Vascular Surgery Center in the Valley:

  • The “RIGHT” Experience Counts When it Comes to your Health: South Bay Vascular center has been treating vein patients in a private practice setting for over 24 years.
  • Cutting edge vascular care in a fully accredited, state of the art, and private out-patient surgery center dedicated entirely to the practice of vascular surgery.
  • Access to the most Advanced Imaging and Device technologies found anywhere in the world.
  • On-site fully staffed IAC accredited Vascular Ultrasound Clinic that is operated full time by Registered Vascular Technologists (RVT).
  • Vascular Studies ready by RPVI certified Vascular Surgeons.
  • Same day availability for Hemodialysis Access de-clots.
  • “One-Doctor, One Patient, One Nurse” practice philosophy means we put the patients first.
  • Full time access to practice physicians
  • Easy access to care: No admissions departments.
  • RESULTS:   We are MORE than just a colorful website and a Google Adwords campaign. Remember, all that glitters is NOT Gold!  https://www.southbayvascular.com/blog/varicose-vein-doctors/

 Trust the doctor your physician does.

 Remember, Its Not Just Experience That Counts.

When It Comes to Your Health, It’s The “RIGHT” Experience that Matters!

Dr Polyxene Kokinos, Silicon Valley’s Vascular Surgeon.

Call us today at 408-376-3626 to schedule your vein consultation.

Click here to learn more about Dr Kokinos  NOT JUST VASCULAR CARE, EXCEPTIONAL VASCULAR CARE