Staying active as we age
Genetic predisposition to varicose veins has not stopped Tim and Diane Fobell from maintaining good health and an active lifestyle. Here’s how they do it.
Tim and Diane Fobell, of Geneva, returned to Northeast Ohio in 2020 after 36 years in Florida. Thanks to Dr. Sonja Stiller and the team at the Center for Advanced Vein Care, the active, health-conscious couple enjoys walking, hiking, biking, and keeping up with their grandkids. (Photography: Francis Angelone)
After 36 years in Florida, Tim and Diane Fobell, now living in Geneva, moved back to Northeast Ohio in 2020. As a very active, health-conscious couple in their late 60s, they enjoy walking, hiking, biking, and working out in their basement gym.
So, when Tim started experiencing symptoms of venous disease in Florida, including leg swelling and achiness, he sought treatment in the Sunshine State. But after returning to Northeast Ohio, his symptoms returned, including a bout with “Covid toe,” which can cause pain and discoloration in the extremities.
“I didn’t like not being able to do as much as I want to do,” explains Tim, who has hiked with Diane in many of America’s national parks during their 46-year marriage. “I understood my condition could lead to other problems, and I want to continue being active.”
A major local hospital told Tim there was nothing wrong with him, so he started researching and found Dr. Sonja Stiller of the Center for Advanced Vein Care. “She had excellent reviews,” adds Tim, who says his treatments with Dr. Stiller were completely different from his experience in Florida.
“The procedure here was much easier,” he recalls. “It was a piece of cake, much more comfortable, and painless. Plus, the doctor in Florida told me to lie on my back for two days afterward, while Dr. Stiller encouraged me to get around. There was a big difference. The doctor in Florida made me take a drug to relax, even though I didn’t want to. With Dr. Stiller, there was no need for anything like that. To me, the treatments are easier than going to the dentist.”
Soon afterward, Diane also began experiencing symptoms of venous insufficiency. “I was having restless legs at night, plus my feet and knees were achy and sore,” she explains. “I figured it was time. Varicose veins can be hereditary, and my mother had them. So did Tim’s brother.”
According to Dr. Stiller, a venous disease like varicose veins can worsen osteoarthritis knee pain and vice versa. “When you have treatments for varicose veins, it can reduce knee pain from arthritis,” she says. “It’s all about reducing inflammation in the entire body. Many people don’t realize this.”
Diane and Tim also agree on other points, including the staff at the Center for Advanced Vein Care and the simplicity of the compression stocking requirement. “The staff here is so good,” Diane says. “They explain everything really well and make you feel completely comfortable. Speaking with Dr. Stiller is like having a nice conversation. The first time we met, we spoke for so long the staff had to break us up.”
“People seem concerned about the compression socks you have to wear, but it’s no big deal,” Tim adds. “It’s so much easier than I had heard. It helps so much that I now wear compression socks most of the time.”
Today, Diane and Tim still love to walk, hike and bike, and they enjoy spending time with the four of their eight grandchildren who live locally. “Our grandkids are all active in sports, and we follow them wherever they go,” Tim says. “It’s so rewarding to be healthy enough to keep up with them.”
The Elite Vascular Wellness Program
Getting healthy wasn’t enough for Diane and Tim. They want to stay healthy. As a result, the couple joined Center for Advanced Vein Care’s Elite Vascular Wellness Program.
“Many patients who see results from our venous insufficiency treatments transition into our wellness program,” Dr. Stiller says. “It’s all about stabilizing your health so you can respond better to inflammation and then we work to reverse the inflammation process in every way we can.”
Inflammation, Dr. Stiller explains, doesn’t stay in one place. “Our blood vessels and lymphatic system are connected throughout our entire body.” “They carry inflammation everywhere. I like to say, ‘Inflammation anywhere is inflammation everywhere.’”
The wellness program isn’t just for those wanting to shed a few pounds. Achieving a meaningful goal demands a serious commitment of time, money, thoughts and effort.
“It’s life-altering,” Dr. Stiller explains. “It’s also data-driven and highly education-based, essentially like a college course. Based on extensive labs and bloodwork—far more than an annual physical—plus body composition, family history, lifestyle, and other data points, we work together to determine when you should eat, what you eat, what supplements you take, how you exercise, how you sleep, and more. It’s not just about food and supplements; it’s about making sure those things actually deliver the right nutrition. There is no single path. Every plan is customized because everyone is different.”
Diane and Tim say they are highly committed to the wellness plan. “It has helped us stay healthy,” Diane reveals. “It’s comprehensive but also easy. The staff is always available. We can call the office anytime with questions, and Dr. Stiller always makes time for us.”
Sonja Stiller, MD, is a diplomat of both the American Board of Emergency Medicine and the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine and the UIP 2023 lead chair for scientific abstracts. She is the founder of the Center for Advanced Vein Care and Elite Vascular Wellness, a Tier 1 provider with Lake Health Hospital System.
Center for Advanced Vein Care
7200 Mentor Ave., Mentor
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