Hayward Hills Man Elated After Swift Recovery from Varicose Vein Surgery

Kurt Dowling, 67, of Hayward Hills, has seen many doctors over the years, but none impressed him as much as Dr. Rakesh Safaya, a vascular surgeon with Washington Township Medical Foundation. Dowling, the manager of Deens Electronics in Fremont, a family business, is very grateful for his smooth recovery from varicose vein surgery. “Dr. Safaya is a miracle doctor,” Dowling says with a smile.

“I was dealing with varicose veins for 15 years and finally decided to do something about it,” recalls Dowling, who works closely with his grandson at Deens and is a hobby pastry chef. “I liked Dr. Safaya right away. He was sincere, honest, intelligent, humble, and very professional. It’s obvious he cares deeply about his patients and has a great attitude.”

Same-Day Procedure

In July, Dr. Safaya performed a same-day procedure on Dowling at Washington Hospital called a saphenofemoral ligation with multiple stab phlebectomies, a minimally invasive procedure to remove varicose veins. “Afterwards, they wheeled me out, and I stood right up. No pain; no medication, just an aspirin. I was up on my leg the next day,” Dowling recalls. Referred by his primary care physician, Dowling was eager to address his enlarged veins that persisted despite wearing compression stockings. “Now, I have no more veins bulging, and I’m walking normally.”

A week post-surgery, Dowling was active, baking pastries and cheesecakes for family and friends and sharing his creations on social media. He credits his fast recovery to good health and a healthy lifestyle.

New York- and Houston-Trained, Board Certified

Dowling, who met Dr. Safaya four times before committing to the procedure, is meticulous about researching his doctors. He was impressed by Dr. Safaya’s training at Bronx Lebanon Hospital in New York City and Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, his experience, and his American Board of Surgery certification. Dowling quickly realized Dr. Safaya was well-regarded in the community. “I like to do research and spend time with any doctor I’m considering. Dr. Safaya has been in practice for years, and I appreciated his intelligence and attitude,” he notes. According to Dowling, trust is essential for successful surgery, and he found that trust with Dr. Safaya. “He spent a lot of time explaining the procedure. Some doctors want to rush you out of the office.”

What Causes Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are caused by weak or damaged vein walls and valves, which disrupt blood flow toward the heart, causing blood to pool or flow backward, primarily in the legs. Risk factors include age, pregnancy, excess weight, prolonged sitting or standing, smoking, contraceptive or hormone use, leg injury, or inactivity. Family history also plays a role. While untreated varicose veins are usually not serious, they can lead to inflammation, swelling, and blood clots.

Dowling suspects his varicose veins may have resulted from his career as a maître d’, often standing on his feet in upscale Beverly Hills restaurants from 1984 to 1997, where he served celebrities such as Marlon Brando, Raquel Welch, Clint Eastwood, Dolly Parton, and Mike Tyson. It was during this time that he first became interested in pastry making.

Dowling encourages others with varicose veins to consider surgery. “I would recommend the surgery as long as you’re a good candidate. After it’s done, you’ll feel good about yourself,” he says. “Dr. Safaya is a great surgeon. I’d put a star next to his name. I don’t say that about just any doctor.”

To learn more about Washington Hospital’s Vascular Services, visit the website: https://www.whhs.com/vascular.