From left to right: Tracy Stella, clinical technician, Dr. Bertos Reitsma,M.D. PhD, and Joanne Cole (receptionist) of Crowsnest Pass Surgical, Vein and Laser Clinic announce the opening of it’s doors September 9th and will host a grand opening October 9th.
DIEGO SYZ
Pass Herald Staff
The Crowsnest Pass Surgical, Vein and Laser Clinic opened its doors to the public September 9th and will host its grand opening October 9th, according to Dr. Bertus J. Reitsma, M.D. PhD, General Surgeon at the clinic.
The clinic offers a variety of medical procedures to the public including; surgical consultation, laser hair reduction, vein therapy, microdermabrasion, limelight facial and laser genesis, according to the clinics’ information pamphlet.
“There’s almost no adverse affect of the treatment and compared with surgery, no downtime,” said Dr. Reitsma.
“It’s completely safe,” he continued and added laser surgery has been around since the 1980’s and so the technology has had time to advance.
Dr. Reitsma has practiced medicine for nearly 30 years, (six years in Alberta).
Laser surgery uses laser light to remove diseased tissues or treat bleeding blood vessels, it may also be used to remove wrinkles, sunspots, tattoos, or birthmarks, according to MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.
“Procedures are usually non-invasive,” said Dr. Reitsma.
The clinic offers surgical consultations. Dr. Reitsma does perform (outside of the clinic) at the Crowsnest Pass Hospital.
Other procedures include; vein treatments (spider veins, reticular veins), hair removal, skin lesions, age spots, pigment changes, skin rejuvenation, fungus and wart removal, according to Tracy Stella, the clinical laser technician.
Hair removal treatment is the most frequent although the clinic does offer tattoo and facial hair removal as well, said Dr. Reitsma.
There are some risks to laser treatment including; cold sores if herpes simplex virus is already present, bleeding, the problem not going away, infection, pain, scarring and skin colour changes, according to Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia.
Stella does maintain the clinic doesn’t treat anyone with cold sores, laser surgery is a painless procedure and the problem not going away is not a factor because they can perform multiple procedures (if necessary).
However, Dr. Reitsma assured the Pass Herald his practice and the machines it uses have been inspected and approved by The College of Physicians and Surgeons in Alberta.
“For quality assurance, the clinic is fully approved by regulatory institutions,” he said.
The clinic is also offering an open house October 9th form 4-7 PM including wine, cheese and promotions such as; instructive videos and information sessions, according to Stella. The clinic is located at 13037-20th Avenue in Blairmore.
