Phlebologist, FACP, MBBS (Qld), JD Barrister at Law (Qld), MBA, GAICD, Medical Director Vein Doctors Group, CEO Miami Private Hospital
Dr Lekich is the Medical Director of Vein Doctors Group. He changed career paths from pursuing an eye career to the treatment of venous disease following the serious complication of a blood clot his then-wife had with varicose veins during pregnancy. As well as offering a comprehensive modern non-surgical treatment for varicose veins, Dr Lekich established a pregnancy vein service to support women with varicose veins during pregnancy.
Further, he explored the specialised Open Ended Vasectomy to offer this service to the partners of his female patients who have to stop the oral contraceptive pill due to their varicose veins.After completing his medical degree in 1991 from the University of Queensland, Dr Lekich worked at the Royal Brisbane Hospital as a resident for three years. As a senior medical officer, he completed numerous country hospital rotations as a relieving Medical Superintendent. At Royal Brisbane Hospital his focus was on surgical/procedural-based specialisations.
Further, he has a strong background in Emergency Medicine and eyes namely the retina.Dr Lekich’s four (4) year fellowship training with the peak body for non-surgical management of venous disorder in Australia was with the Australasian College of Phlebology. This meant that Dr. Lekich had achieved the highest level of structured advanced training for this modern non-surgical treatment of venous disorders in Australia.
To enable Dr Lekich to deliver the best possible ultrasound assisted treatment of varicose veins, he has undergone formal training by way of Certificate of Ultrasound in Phlebology (C.U.P): Introductory Course and Certificate of Ultrasound in Phlebology (C.U.P): Advanced Course.Dr Lekich’s supervisor during his advanced training was A/Prof Kurosh Parsi who is the Australasian College of Phlebology President, Vice President of the International Union of Phlebology and a PhD Researcher.
Other mentors of note are Australasian College of Phlebology founding members Dr Thibault, the father of Phlebology in Australia (NSW), Dr Loizou (Victoria) and Dr Jenkins (NSW).
Dr Lekich regularly attends conferences and on-going education seminars. He regularly speaks at scientific meetings and conferences and is involved in delivering workshops training doctors. Further Dr. Lekich is a preceptor, mentor and supervisor for phlebology trainees.
Apart from the study of medicine, whilst working full time, Dr Lekich has furthered his university education completing a postgraduate law degree (Juris Doctor) from Bond University in 2004 inspired by the medical indemnity crisis. He then completed the Bar Practice Course at the Queensland University of Technology in 2005 and was admitted as a Barrister in the Supreme Court of Queensland in 2005.
He completed his Masters of Business Administration also at Bond University and has been an Assistant Professor in the Bond University Medical School, Gold Coast Australia.Additional to Dr. Lekich’s venous work, he was trained by the pioneer of the specialised form of vasectomy Dr. Bruce Errey of the 30,041 Open Ended Vasectomy fame. This approach to vasectomy is very specialised and performed by a small percentage of doctors. This form of vasectomy is designed to minimise post vasectomy congestion pain and is more readily reversible should circumstances change.
This Open Ended Vasectomy service complements the care Dr. Lekich provides his female vein patients so that they can stop the oral contraceptive pill.Further Dr Lekich has been trained to perform microsurgery personally at the microscope over three years by the Father of Microsurgery, Professor Earl Owen. Professor Owen performed the world’s first hand and double hands transplant and the collaborator of the first face transplant. This microsurgical training enables Dr Lekich to successfully reverse vasectomies.Dr Lekich is a devoted father of three children and he enjoys influencing them to the best young adults they can be. His other languages include fluent Croatian and Serbian.
The following are Dr Chris Lekich’s professional Society Memberships:
- Preceptor Graduate School of Medicine-Clinical and Scientific Teaching -1997
- Australian Medical Association -National Membership-Current
- Australian Medical Association -Queensland Branch Membership- Current
- Gold Coast Medical Association- Current
- Clinical Ophthalmic Workshop Mentor Programme – Princess Alexandra Hospital July 2004
- Admitted Supreme Court Queensland as Legal Practitioner, March 2005.
- Member Queensland Bar Association 2005 – Current
- Assistant Professor Medical School Bond University 2005-2010
- AHPRA Medical Board of Australia Registration- Current
- Member of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine
- Member of the Australasian College of Phlebology (ACP)-Current
- Preceptor for Australasian College of Phlebology Basic and Advanced Training-Current
- Member of the Medico legal Society of Queensland-Current
- Board Member of the Australasian College of Phlebology -Current
- ACP Chair of the Australian Medical Council Specialist Accreditation Committee-Current
- ACP Member of the Continuing Professional Development Committee -Current
- ACP Member of the Ethics and Standards Committee-Current
- CEO Miami Private Hospital
- Clinical Director of Miami Private Hospital Medical Advisory Committee
- Medical Director of Coastal Medical Services
I often get asked are there any natural treatments for varicose veins and spider veins. The answer depends on what aspect of veins you are trying to treat. If it is the ache from varicose veins there is ONLY ONE product that has undergone any sort of rigorous scientific evaluation and that is Horse Chestnut Extract. This has been demonstrated to help leg pain and swelling when compared to placebo (Cochrane Database Syst. Review 2006).
Another product that has been heavily advertised is Veins Clear (refer my previous blog post) but there is no scientific study that demonstrates that Veins Clear has any effect on treating any type of leg veins. Vein Away is another product that made lots of claims but these were found to be unsubstantiated when it was compared to placebo in a scientifically controlled study. This study was conducted by Dr Sue McKoy and presented at a Phlebology conference. There has actually NEVER been a product that has EVER been scientifically demonstrated to improve the appearance of veins or halt the progression of the condition. Reflexology and acupuncture / acupressure maybe useful in the management of the ache due to varicose veins but there are no scientific studies that I am aware of that confirms the effectiveness of these approaches.
Dr Varcoe, I note that you talk about other manual type therapies like reflexology. Does lymphatic massage or draining help? I suffer from poor circulation in my legs and even though I have had treatment for veins and this helps tonnes, still have puffy
legs. 🙁 Read a bit about lymphoedema which seems to go hand in hand with poor veins. Any advice appreciated.
what is the recommended dose for the horse chestnut extract?
Hi Jeff, I have seen doses from 300mg two times a day and up to 500mg of horse chestnut seed extract 3 times a day. If you are going to use this type of product go to a reputable source (pharmacy or health food shop) for your information and dosage guidelines.
As with all products there can be side effects which can be dose dependent so you need to get advise from people who have experience with this product. I personally have never used or prescribed this product as people seeking my services invariably want their
problem fixed rather than the symptoms treated
Hi Jennifer, You are correct in believing that patients with vein problems often have a mixed picture that involves some dysfunction of the lymphatic system. This is more likely to be the situation in the more severe cases. Treatment of your lymphatic
system with lymphatic massage / drainage may improve your symptoms of swelling and ache but will not effect the progression of any venous disorder that you may also have.
Hi, stumbled across this post @Jeff – I got some liquid extract at my local health food shop, Go Vita. They seem to have a range of quality herbal supplements from Mediherb. I got a liquid supplement to take 5mls a day. Bitter taste but hopefully results
with some of my issues.
Hi Crystal, Please keep me updated about your progress. I am specifically interested in feedback about whether people are finding horse chestnut useful for swelling and aching of their legs ( especially if they also have varicose veins). Dr Paul Varcoe
Hi Dr V, i have been taking the liquid extract, but it’s only been a couple of weeks. The naturopath who advised me said it could take up to 6 weeks to notice any difference in legs. The liquid extract has made me very nauseaous a couple of times. I have
taken it before a meal on empty stomach, so I won’t be doing that again. :/
Hi Crystal, Thanks for the update. Are you taking HCE for aching, swelling or both? It would be great if you could give a rating for how your symptoms are and if they change. I suggest you rank your initial symptom(s) out of 5 (1= mild, 5 = severe) and
then note the change (if any) over time. What dose are you on?
I had sclerotherapy done nearly seven years ago and after only three sessions, my spider veins disappeared. Last year they started coming back and I am thinking of having sclerotherapy again. I would like to know who is permitted to perform this kind of
procedure? Can it be a GP? I am trying to avoid long drive down to Penrith (I live in the Upper Mountains). Thanks folks.