Lawrence Schmetterer MD FACS Thoracic & Vascular Surgery

Lawrence Schmetterer MD FACS Thoracic & Vascular Surgery Surgical Excellence & Trusted Care for patients in the Mahoning Valley since 1992.

This Valentine’s week, love isn’t just about hearts ❤️Your legs work hard every single day, carrying blood back to your ...
02/09/2026

This Valentine’s week, love isn’t just about hearts ❤️
Your legs work hard every single day, carrying blood back to your heart against gravity.

If you’re noticing heaviness, swelling, fatigue, or visible veins, those are signs your veins may need a little extra care. The good news? Most vein concerns are highly treatable with simple, in-office options.

Showing your legs love means listening early and taking action before symptoms worsen!

📱 Call or text Melyssa at 330-443-0111 to schedule a consultation.

[vascular surgeon, vein specialist, venous insufficiency, leg swelling, varicose vein care, circulation health, Youngstown Ohio]

Your heart, arteries, and veins don’t work in isolation. They function as one connected circulatory system.When veins st...
02/06/2026

Your heart, arteries, and veins don’t work in isolation. They function as one connected circulatory system.

When veins struggle to return blood to the heart, pressure builds, circulation slows, and symptoms like heaviness, swelling, or skin changes can appear.

During American Heart Month, it’s a good reminder that caring for your veins supports your entire circulatory system, not just how your legs look, but how your body functions.

📱 Call or text Melyssa at 330-443-0111 to schedule a consultation.

[vascular surgeon, vein specialist, circulation health, venous insufficiency, leg swelling, varicose vein care, Youngstown Ohio]

What you feel is often just the tip of the iceberg.Tired, heavy legs are easy to brush off, but beneath the surface, the...
02/04/2026

What you feel is often just the tip of the iceberg.

Tired, heavy legs are easy to brush off, but beneath the surface, they can signal circulation issues caused by chronic venous insufficiency. When veins struggle to move blood back to the heart, pressure builds, symptoms progress, and discomfort becomes harder to ignore.

Listening early makes a difference. Understanding the root cause leads to better outcomes and long-term leg health.

📞 Call or text Melyssa at 330-443-0111 to schedule a vein evaluation.

[vascular surgeon, vein specialist, venous insufficiency, leg heaviness, circulation health, Youngstown Ohio]

Your heart does the heavy lifting, but it relies on healthy circulation to do its job well.This Heart Month, we’re highl...
02/03/2026

Your heart does the heavy lifting, but it relies on healthy circulation to do its job well.

This Heart Month, we’re highlighting signs your body may be asking for attention, from persistent fatigue and leg swelling to shortness of breath or slow-healing wounds. These symptoms are often connected to how well blood is moving through your heart, arteries, and veins.

Healthy habits matter, but so does having the right conversations and testing to uncover silent risks early. Paying attention now can make a meaningful difference long term.

📱 Call or text Melyssa at 330-443-0111 to schedule an evaluation.

[vascular surgeon, vein specialist, heart health, circulation health, venous insufficiency, leg swelling, cardiovascular awareness, Youngstown Ohio]

02/02/2026

Your veins and heart rely on each other to keep blood moving efficiently. When vein valves don’t work as they should, circulation slows and symptoms like heaviness or swelling can appear.

Supporting vein health helps the entire circulatory system function better, including the heart.

📱 Call or text Melyssa at 330-443-0111

[vascular surgeon, vein specialist, venous insufficiency, circulation health, leg swelling, cardiovascular care, Youngstown Ohio]

February is one of the best times to start vein treatment. Cooler weather, slower schedules, and extra layers make recov...
01/30/2026

February is one of the best times to start vein treatment. Cooler weather, slower schedules, and extra layers make recovery easier, especially when mild bruising or compression stockings are involved.

Treatments done now have plenty of time to heal before spring, so your legs look and feel their best when warm weather returns.

If you’ve been thinking about getting care, this is the perfect time to begin.

📱 Call or text Melyssa at 330-443-0111
💻 Visit SchmettererMD.com to schedule your consultation

[vascular surgeon, vein specialist, venous insufficiency, varicose vein treatment, leg swelling, spider veins, compression therapy, Youngstown Ohio]

01/29/2026

We’re looking for… new patients! 🙌
Take the first step toward healthier legs today.

📞 Call/text Melyssa at 330-443-0111

[vascular surgeon, vein specialist, arterial disease, venous insufficiency, Youngstown Ohio, leg pain treatment, varicose vein care]

Ultrasound is where clarity begins.This simple, in-office scan helps us see exactly how your veins are functioning, so w...
01/28/2026

Ultrasound is where clarity begins.

This simple, in-office scan helps us see exactly how your veins are functioning, so we can diagnose the root cause and build a treatment plan that works for you.

Painless. Precise. No downtime!

📞 Call or text Melyssa at 330-443-0111 to schedule your consultation.

[vascular surgeon, vein specialist, arterial disease, venous insufficiency, Youngstown Ohio, leg pain treatment, varicose vein care]

01/27/2026

Veins have one-way valves to help blood travel upward against gravity.

When those valves weaken, blood can flow backward, leading to heaviness, swelling, and varicose veins.

If your legs feel tired or achy by the end of the day, your veins may be struggling.

📱 Call or text Melyssa at 330-443-0111
💻 schmetterermd.com

[vascular surgeon, vein specialist, venous insufficiency, varicose veins, leg swelling, circulation health, Youngstown Ohio]

When temperatures drop, circulation slows, and signs of venous insufficiency often become harder to ignore.Swelling, col...
01/26/2026

When temperatures drop, circulation slows, and signs of venous insufficiency often become harder to ignore.

Swelling, cold toes, nighttime cramps, skin changes around the ankles, and heaviness after sitting or standing are all symptoms we see more often in winter.

If these issues are creeping in, it’s worth getting checked. A simple evaluation can uncover what’s going on beneath the surface, and winter is the ideal time to start treatment.

📱 Call or text Melyssa at 330-443-0111 to schedule your consultation.

[vascular surgeon, vein specialist, venous insufficiency, varicose vein care, leg swelling treatment, winter vein symptoms, Youngstown Ohio]

01/26/2026

Important Notice: Office Closure - Due to inclement weather, the office will be closed on Monday, January 26. Regular business operations will resume on Tuesday, January 27, at 8:00 AM. We appreciate your understanding in this matter and wish you a safe period.

Address

5671 Mahoning Avenue
Youngstown, OH
44515

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Website

https://schmetterermd.com/blog/

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Surgical Excellence. Trusted Care.

It was all timing.

In 1969, I was 13 years old. Dr. Michael DeBakey at the Baylor College of Medicine in Texas had developed the first artificial heart, which was successfully implanted into a human patient. Around this time, my grandfather traveled to Texas to undergo a vascular bypass operation by this ground breaking physician, Dr. DeBakey. For me, these events were amazing and captivating, and the surgeon was larger than life. I was fascinated that a world famous surgeon had operated on my grandfather. At that time, in 7th grade science class, we were studying the cardiovascular system. Our teacher brought to class a cow’s heart and lungs. She opened the heart, revealing the chambers, valves and the great vessels. She blew air into the trachea (windpipe) inflating the lungs. It was beautiful, science, and powerful. It was a matter of timing. At that moment I knew my future. Nothing mattered more to me than becoming a surgeon trained to repair cardiovascular disease for those in need. And now, nothing matters more to me than helping you.

For over 26 years, I have been fortunate to call the Mahoning Valley, “Home,” and bring my skills to help those in need. Throughout my studies at Duke University and Oxford, as well at medical school at the University of Illinois in Chicago through completion of my training at University of Southern California, I was determined to be the most compassionate and knowledgable cardiovascular disease physician. I bring this same determination to every encounter with my patients, both at my office and the hospitals of Salem Regional Medical Center, Trumbull Regional Medical Center and St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, where I am grateful to practice.

My calling to be a thoracic and vascular surgeon was a discovery I made at an early age. I made another amazing discover in 1994 where I found my wife, Dr. Susan Woods, and raised our two amazing sons here in Youngstown. Timing is everything, and I hope you will take the time to discover the compassionate care and medical expertise our team can offer you here in the Mahoning Valley. Visit us at www.schmetterermd.com to learn more or to schedule a consult.