Albuquerque Vein & Laser Institute

I had no idea how much better I’d feel after getting my varicose veins removed! My evenings after work are so much more productive and pleasant…and my legs look so much better! The staff is awesome, helpful, and even interesting during surgery. Warning: I had three different procedures and it was rough, but worth it.

I do not even know where to begin! Dr. Cutchen and He’s team Did a fabulous job working with me and each other! The first day was just a consultation. I arrived to my appointment and checked in. When I was called back the vascular sonographer (I believe that’s what she is.And I apologize if I’m wrong.) Greeted me with a soft and caring voice. She explained what she was doing before we started the ultrasounds and while we were doing the ultrasounds. She cleaned all of the Gel with a clean cloth and even gave me one to use just incase she missed any. After she gave the papers to Dr. Cutchen’s he explained to me what veins were damaged and how they were damaged. And what route would be best for me. We had planned on working on both legs. The procedures took four days in total . December 17,18,19, and 20th. The first two days were worked on my left leg which needed more work. Then the last two days we worked on the right. I couldn’t be happier with his team, and their great bedside manner. And willing to answer any all questions and concerns! Can’t wait to go back on January 30th for my follow up!

In reading the other reviews for this clinic, I am completely baffled by my experience at this medical facility and can only conclude that the doctor was having a bad day and/or they are selling something that I wasn't buying. Either that, or something weird is going on with these reviews, which are all so cloyingly fantastic, I wondered, at first, who wrote them. First, I had a hard time accessing the clinic. I use a large walker and their door has to be held open manually. Every other medical facility that I have used in Albuquerque has a handicap entrance. I struggled to enter the clinic at all. I would recommend that if you decide to try this clinic and you are disabled, you should have someone with you to help you get through the clinic door because they will have to open it for you and stand there while you get your walker through the door. I did eventually manage to do it myself, but it was awkward and baffling. Why would a medical clinic have this kind of situation? Clearly, disabled folks weren't considered in the initial construction. I did mention it to the technician, and she agreed that it was odd that this facility does not have a handicap entrance but she did not know why. Speaking of the technician, she was a lovely person, very kind and friendly, and gentle when examining my legs with the ultrasound machine. She is personable and easy to talk to. The "two stars" I've given this clinic are entirely for her part of the visit, since she was pleasant, professional, and kind. If the doctor had been as caring and informative as she was, the entire clinic would have gotten 4 or 5 stars. But that was not the case. The doctor's demeanor was puzzling. He behaved as if he was angry and disgusted. I tend to be loquacious and sociable, so his deportment was unexpected and rather unusual, in my experience. He took a cursory look at my legs and said something about my "huge" varicose veins, with a repulsed expression. I've seen much worse than mine, which are not prominent and do not bulge out from the skin. I felt he was reacting more to the fact that my legs themselves are large, but I don't want to guess. I have a lot of allergies due to inherited autoimmune disorders, a couple of which have landed me in the hospital with anaphylactic reactions, which makes me cautious about medications. I tend first toward the most natural or low-tech methods of handling my medical conditions when they arise, and perhaps this was part of the problem because I asked him about this, and he was strongly dismissive about it, but did not present any treatment that he WOULD recommend. I mentioned to him my plan to lose some more weight, and he said it would "change my life," but I never learned what they do at this clinic as nothing was offered and no treatment was explained to me. He did discuss how varicose veins work, which I already knew. For my part, I was stunned by the doctor's unpleasant affect and felt like I wanted to get away from him, so I shut down and stopped asking questions. I had originally come to them because my doctor had wanted me to see a vein specialist to keep an eye on what is going on with my veins, after some superficial blood clots that had appeared after a 2-week episode of Covid. I still can't tell you what they do at this clinic. Whatever they do, this doctor has apparently been pleasant with other folks who wrote glowing reviews, so perhaps this clinic is looking for a certain type of clientele. While I was waiting for my ride in the cramped reception area, I noticed a large sign for laser treatment of skin issues such as melasma, dark spots and that sort of thing, which seems much more like something a dermatologist would do, and more of a cosmetic procedure than a strictly "medical" one, and I wondered if this clinic was more geared toward treatments that would make the legs LOOK good, cosmetically speaking, but don't take my word for it. I have no clue what they do there. I got out of there as soon as I could and definitely won't be back.

The work they did has withstood the test of time! I had a horrible red bump on my nose that was easily removed by the 5 star nurse that worked with me ( I forgot her name). She took her time and explained that it will take time to heal. I was scared because at first it looked 5x worse than when I came in. But after 1-2 months of healing you would have never known anything happened and the red bump never re-appeared!

I can't speak to the services of Dr. Cutchen (although when I met him he was very pleasant and professional) because I only went in for laser treatments to my face and these are performed by Andi. She did a great job. She is funny and pleasant and professional as well. The treatments for my broken face veins/rosacea went swimmingly well. I never had to wait long for my appointments either. I highly recommend.