Team Gaunt Success at Chariots of Fire Race for Charity

The Chariots of Fire race is an annual event in Cambridge to raise money for good causes. The race was inspired by the film of the same name, which told the story of Olympic gold medallists Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddle. The race is a relay and consists of a circuit of 1.75 miles through the grounds of several Cambridge Colleges including Trinity and King’s. Each runner completes a circuit and each team consists of six runners.

This year over 150 teams took part and it was a pleasure to co-sponsor three teams with the owner of designer clothes shop Giulio. Our veterans team won the veterans’ event and our elite men’s team, skippered by ex-patient of mine, Ian Williamson, came second overall – beaten only by a team containing Olympic athletes!! So congratulations to all who took part. The photograph shows me with the elite men’s team showing off the Michael Gaunt logo on the back of their vests – which obviously a lot of the other runners got a good view of as they sped past.

In addition to cheering home the Giulio-Gaunt team it was a great occasion to meet up with friends, colleagues and patients past and present. It was nice to meet up with Dr Pixie McKenna, from the popular TV health programme ‘Embarrassing Bodies’, who was there to present the prizes. Also, it was a pleasure to be asked to be the unofficial photographer to the Great Dames team – a team of real-life Dames from the House of Lords, skippered by Cambridge’s very own Dame Mary Archer. It really was a great day, great fun and a lot of money raised for good causes.

The Great Dames team included:

• Dame Carol Black, Principal of Newnham College.
• Baroness Pauline Neville-Jones DCMG, former chair of the British Joint Intelligence Committee.
• Dame Gill Morgan, chair of NHS Providers, former Permanent Secretary to the NHS in Wales, former CEO of the NHS Confederation.
• Dame Fiona Woolf, former Lord Mayor of London, trustee of the Science Museum Group.
• Dame Barbara Stocking, President of Murray Edwards College, former CEO of Oxfam.
• Dame Mary Archer, chair of the Science Museum Group, former chair of Cambridge University Hospitals.

Varicose vein treatment - before and after photos

“Hello, Mr Gaunt operated on my leg about 7 weeks ago and during my follow up appointment he asked if I could send him my before and after photos. I have to say I am absolutely thrilled with the result and would whole heartedly recommend it to anyone living with ugly varicose veins, Best regards, Matt”

It is a common observation that men often delay in seeking treatment for their varicose veins until they are very large. These photos show a very impressive set of man-sized veins, and although I would always recommend treating veins at an earlier stage if possible, these photos show that by using modern techniques it is still possible to achieve an excellent result. Also they illustrate how the immediate post-op bruising, which can be impressive with very large veins, resolves after a few weeks to reveal an excellent functional and cosmetic result.

Official Expert for the New England Journal of Medicine

It is an honour and a pleasure to be invited to be an ‘official expert’ for the New England Journal of Medicine – the leading academic medical journal in the world. It is very gratifying to be recognised in this way and to participate in online discussions about the latest research with colleagues around the world. Discussion and debate about academic research is a vital to evaluate medical advances to ensure patients benefit from the latest techniques and it is a great privilege to participate in the process at the highest level.

Sharing Clarivein technique insights in Athens

I have recently returned from Athens where I participated in the annual conference of the International Society for Vascular Surgery. I updated the conference on my latest results of the Clarivein technique for the treatment of varicose veins. I have one of the largest series of patients treated with this technique in the world so delegates were keen to hear my insights in using this excellent local anaesthetic walk-in walk-out method.

Once again it was extremely beneficial to learn about the latest advances in vascular surgery and exchange views and opinions from colleagues around the world. The ISVS attracts surgeons and specialists from all around the globe and I had some very interesting discussions with surgeons from China, USA, Brazil, Australia, France, Italy, Albania, Germany and of course Greece.

The photograph shows me at the Faculty table at the annual dinner with my good friend Professor Alan Dardik from Yale University, USA and President of the ISVS with Alan’s family including his father Herbert Dardik one of the leading pioneers of vascular surgery.

Keynote speech at Brazilian Venous Scientific Conference

In my role as a member of the executive council of the International Society for Vascular Surgery it was a pleasure to be invited to be a keynote speaker at a major Brazilian Venous Scientific Conference in Belo Horizonte. I gave three lectures on the treatment of varicose veins including endovenous laser techniques, Clarivein and injection sclerotherapy. The lectures were well received and stimulated some very interesting discussions.

It is always fascinating to attend international conferences and exchange views with colleagues from other countries and learn new techniques and approaches to common problems as well as forging new friendships and international links. As the picture shows I benefitted from excellent hospitality from my Brazilian hosts and I am very grateful to them for their kindness and generosity.

Belo Horizonte, June 2015

Let’s talk about varicose veins

I read with interest the news that the public in one part of the country have been consulted about the treatment of varicose veins.

The West Essex Clinical Commission Group invited the public, through an online questionnaire, to give their opinions and look overall at increased investment opportunities. The results of the questionnaire have not yet been made public, but the aspirations of the CCG should be applauded. Getting people talking about treatment and therefore raising awareness of varicose veins can only be a good thing.

Far too many people hide away from their varicose veins, believing it is a problem that can either be looked at another day or ignored completely. This is dangerous course of action which can ultimately lead to bigger issues down the line. I welcome anything that is done to get people talking about varicose veins. It is one of the reasons why I started my no-obligation, mini-consultations detailed on the home page of my website.

Set your legs free for 2015

Why not make 2015 the year when you finally get rid of those troublesome varicose veins and thread veins which stop you enjoying life the way you deserve? In addition to relieving the aching and tiredness look forward to setting your legs free for the summer wearing what you want to and enjoying the park, the beach, the pool or just clothes shopping without worrying about people noticing your veins.

If one of your resolutions for 2015 is to get those veins sorted then the process could not be simpler. Call my office on 01223 305858 to arrange an appointment at a clinic convenient to you. Undergo a thorough assessment of your condition which provides a range of treatment options from which you can choose the most appropriate. Set a fixed date for your treatment and then attend a modern, private, fully equipped hospital and undergo a minimally invasive treatment performed under local or general anaesthetic depending on your preference. New vein treatments are simpler, effective and less painful with a quicker return to normal activity and usually an excellent cosmetic result.

So why put off the decision any longer, set your legs free in 2015 and enjoy life a bit more without the worry of those veins.

2015 - Looking forward to the year ahead

As we head into 2015 I would like to wish all my patients past, present and future all the very best for the year ahead. 2015 promises to be another busy and exciting year for me. Recently I was elected to the council of the International Society of Vascular Surgery and I look forward to fulfilling my duties associated with this post. I have also been invited to lecture at international research meetings in Europe and South America. As always it will be a pleasure to meet with colleagues from around the world and share advances in treatments and new techniques.

In addition I have been invited to contribute to an international textbook of vascular surgery in collaboration with my good friend and colleague Professor Alan Dardik from Yale. Alan and I have already co-authored a book called ‘Outpatient Surgery’ which has proved very popular and is the first of my books to be translated into Chinese.

So here’s to 2015 and if you have decided that this is the year to finally get those troublesome veins sorted out, it would be a pleasure to see you in one of my clinics.