General FAQ:
Where are you located?
Chesapeake Vein Center & MedSpa is located at 300 Medical Parkway, #208, Chesapeake, VA 23320. Our medical spa and vein health center is convenient to Norfolk County and the Virginia Beach area.
What are your hours of operation?
Monday: 8am–4pm
Tuesday: 7am–3pm
Wednesday: 8am–4pm
Thursday: 8am–4pm
Friday: 7am–3pm
Please call us for our personalized after hours for your cosmetic needs.
What are the vein health procedures offered by Dr. Challa?
Renowned Virginia Beach vein doctor and vein specialist Dr. Surya Challa is pleased to offer the latest and most advanced techniques for varicose vein removal and treatment, as well as spider vein removal and treatment. From venous duplex ultrasound procedures to radiofrequency ablation, Dr. Challa can help you achieve optimal vein health.
What are the Chesapeake medical spa services offered by Dr. Challa?
At our VA beach medical spa we offer Laser Photo Rejuvenation (also known as Photofacials), MicroLaserPeel, Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing, Laser Hair Removal, Chemical Peels, CoolSculpting®, BOTOX® and dermal fillers.
What are Dr. Challa’s qualifications?
Dr. Surya Challa has extensive training and experience in the field of surgery and phlebology (the specialty dealing with venous disease). He has conducted more than twelve thousand venous procedures with excellent results, a superb safety profile and no major complications. Dr. Challa also has more than a decade of experience in general surgery. Dr. Challa is on staff at Chesapeake Regional Medical Center and is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at Eastern Virginia Medical School. He is board certified in general surgery and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine (ABVLM). Additionally, Dr. Challa is a Registered Phlebology Specialist and ABVLM certified physician.
Dr. Challa also serves as the Chief Medical Informatics Officer at Chesapeake Regional Medical Center. This position uniquely positions him to be aware of and incorporate as appropriate, the latest technological advances in the health care industry. Dr. Challa is board certified in the Subspecialty of clinical informatics which deals with the role of technology in medicine. To read his full physician bio, please click here.
What insurances do you accept?
For a full list of the insurance carriers we accept, please click here.
How can I log onto the patient portal?
To log onto the patient portal, please click here.
Vein FAQ:
What are varicose veins?
The term ‘varicose veins‘ is often used to describe everything from smaller, spider veins (red or blue veins on the surface of the skin) up to true varicose veins (swollen, bulging veins with a rope-like appearance). Varicose veins are quite common, with one in three woman and one in five men experiencing them. Varicose vein symptoms can include swelling, heavy legs, leg fatigue, leg pain, as well as burning and itching sensations.
What causes varicose veins?
Varicose veins are almost always associated with venous reflux. This occurs when the valves in the leg veins don’t work well, and backward blood flow causes pooling in the lower leg. Without treatment, the pressure this creates may increase over time and cause additional varicose veins and symptoms. People with a family history and who are older, obese or are pregnant may be at increased risk of developing varicose veins.
Can varicose veins be prevented?
It is unclear if varicose veins can be prevented, but certain actions may help limit the disease’s progression and symptoms. Routine exercise, maintaining a normal weight, avoiding excessively long periods of standing or sitting, and the use of compression stockings may all help alleviate symptoms.
What happens if I don’t treat the vein?
If you have underlying venous disease (e.g., venous reflux), the pressure created by backflow of blood and pooling in the lower legs may create a progressive condition that only gets worse with time. This may lead to additional spider veins and varicose veins, and in some cases can lead to swelling and venous ulcers at the lower calf and ankle. Only a trained vein specialist can effectively evaluate your spider veins or varicose veins.
Will my spider veins or varicose veins reoccur, even with treatment?
Sometimes the same factors that helped to cause your first spider veins or varicose veins (e.g., family history, age, obesity, female hormones, etc.) will make you predisposed to develop additional vein conditions. If a specific vein is properly treated, it usually does not recur, but it is possible that other veins may become diseased. This is why it is important that even if you have what appear to be simple, cosmetic spider veins, that you consult a vein specialist who can determine if you have an underlying condition (venous reflux). If you do, and you don’t treat the cause of the problem, additional spider veins or varicose veins are likely to develop.
Won’t I need that vein?
Procedures like sclerotherapy and radiofrequency ablation and closure act to close down a faulty vein. The vein being closed is dysfunctional and is allowing blood to flow backwards and pool, so leaving it open only makes things worse. The body contains numerous other healthy veins that are still functional and can easily take up the additional flow. Treatment of the faulty veins almost always results in improved blood flow in the overall vein system.
What is the cost of vein treatment?
Procedures like VNUS Closure/Venefit radiofrequency ablation and ambulatory phlebotomy, when shown to be medically necessary, are commonly covered by Medicare and insurance providers. Sclerotherapy for spider veins is generally considered a cosmetic procedure and usually not covered. Consult your local insurance provider to determine your exact eligibility and coverage as well as cost.
Surgical FAQ:
What surgery procedures are offered at Chesapeake Vein Center & MedSpa?
Board-certified Dr. Surya Challa is skilled and experienced in general surgery, offering comprehensive solutions to a variety of health conditions. He has special interests in acid reflux surgery, gallbladder removal surgery, hernia surgery, colon surgery, hemorrhoid removal surgery, spleen removal surgery, as well as breast cancer surgeries such as lymph node biopsies, mastectomy, lumpectomy, breast reduction utilizing the nipple sparing technique and more. Dr. Challa also performs other procedures typically performed by general surgeons, including the removal of lumps, skin cancers and other abdominal surgeries.
What are laparoscopic surgery techniques, and why are they preferred at Chesapeake Vein Center & Medspa?
During laparoscopic surgery, small incisions are made to insert a small fiber optic tube, also known as a laparoscope. This laparoscope is connected to a video camera, enhancing visibility inside the body. Unlike traditional “open” surgery, which requires a large incision to operate, laparoscopic surgery offers less post-operative pain, a shorter hospital stay, quicker recovery time and considerably less scarring.
For these reasons, Dr. Challa prefers to avoid traditional surgery techniques whenever a laparoscopic approach is possible. Robot-assisted surgeries are used for patients requiring gallbladder surgeries, hernia surgeries and acid reflux surgeries.
What are Dr. Surya Challa’s qualifications?
Dr. Challa has extensive training and experience in the field of surgery, with more than a decade of experience in general surgery. He is on staff at Chesapeake Regional Medical Center and is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at Eastern Virginia Medical School. Dr. Challa is board certified in general surgery and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine (ABVLM). Additionally, he is a Registered Phlebology Specialist and ABVLM certified physician.
Where do surgeries take place?
All consultations take place at Chesapeake Vein Center & Medspa. Surgeries, however, are done at the state-of-the-art surgical suites at Chesapeake Regional Medical Center.
Is a hospital stay required after my surgery?
This depends on the type of surgery performed. A patient undergoing a gallbladder removal surgery typically can go home after a few hours following their procedure. A patient having colon surgery may need to stay in the hospital for 3-8 days.
What insurances do you accept?
For a full list of the insurance carriers we accept, please click here.
MedSpa FAQ:
What is the difference between a day spa and a medical spa?
Medical aesthetic treatments are more intense and offer more noticeable results than the treatments found at most day spas (such as mud baths and therapeutic massages). Aesthetic medicine includes Botox, Juvéderm®, chemical peels, CoolSculpting, fractional laser skin resurfacing, laser hair removal, MicroLaserPeel and PhotoFacials.
When should I arrive?
Plan to arrive approximately 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time in order to have enough time to complete any required paperwork beforehand. Some treatments may require you to arrive sooner, if the skin needs to be prepared prior to treatment. This way you can be assured that your appointment will begin and end on time.
What should I do before my appointment?
Laser Hair Removal patients should come shaved before a treatment. We recommend shaving the day prior to your appointment (note: shaving and depilatories should only be used, not tweezing or waxing, for optimal results). If you are scheduled for any of our facial treatments or consultations, please arrive without makeup if possible.
What if I have physical concerns?
During your consultation, any concerns related to pregnancy, allergies, recent surgeries, impaired mobility, or medical conditions should be discussed.
What are your rules during my visit?
We request that all cell phones and PDAs be turned off, for your peace of mind as well as those around you. Please leave any jewelry or other valuables at home. Children should not be brought to the spa as a courtesy to our guests. The minimum age for spa services is 12; however, children under 18 must have a parent present.
How much downtime is necessary?
Most of our procedures require no downtime, with the rest having minimal downtime. The majority of patients do not require any time off from work, and may even return to work on the same day. A longer period of recovery may be necessary for combined procedures.
How long do treatments take?
Most of our treatments can range from 15 minutes to an hour, depending on the type of treatment and the size of the area being treated. Dr. Surya Challa will be able to give you a better estimate during your consultation.
When can I book an appointment?
We request that appointments be made two weeks in advance when possible. Once an appointment is made, we require 48-hour notice for any changes or cancellations. If an appointment is cancelled with less than 48 hours or you do not show up, a 50% service fee will be charged. For this reason, we request that appointments be held with a gift card, pre-paid credit or credit card.
Do you have financing available?
Yes, we offer financing through CareCredit® & Cherry.
