My heart goes out to you. I'm having my legs wrap and new stocking made. I know how much I have been feeling sorry for myself. Guess I need to suck it up!!!!!!!!!! My shoulder is here for you to cry on.

Shirley

It took a very long time for me to be diagnosed.  It finally took me seeing a vascular surgeon for him to recognize the problem. My primary physician was telling me to elevate and loose weight.

I had RNY 2 1/2 years ago and that helped a lot!  I started with one pair of the custom compression stocking in September of 2010 and in December of 2010 I got a couple new pairs that were smaller because the first pair worked so well that it reduced the swelling enough. I knew then that I could get a couple pairs of the smaller size and then start a new pair every three months.  The custom ones are wonderful because I have one leg larger than the other so the generic over the counter ones were not going to cut it. I tried one pair over the counter and they were horrible!! They cut into the back of my knees terribly.

I had total knee replacement surgery March 28th of 2011 and was unable to wear my stockings for a while and now summer is here and I find it even more difficult but... I do wear them to sleep and that helps a lot!  I did have a slight complication after surgery that was due to bruising from them holding onto my calf so tight during the surgery and the lymphedema. A bit of a cellulitis from the blood that pooled in the tissue under the skin.  I still have a brown stain there that is very slowly fading.  I imagine I will have another one on the left leg when I have the left total knee on August 8th but it is worth it for me. RNY made it possible to finally get the knees replaced so I can walk more and that helps with the swelling too!

I hope you can get some custom stockings! That would be great! I know they do custom full stockings for men and women.  Most of the time the insurance covers them.  My stockings were $220 per leg! Thankfully they were covered under durable medical equipment.

Best of everything to you! I hope you find the perfect solution to help you!

For almost 2 weeks I have been using kinesio tape on my hard part of my leg.  The new therapist uses it and at this stage I will try anything. 

IT IS WORKING!!!! I don't know if any of you have tried it.  My skin is softer and I feel this bulge is not as large.  I have to replace mine every 3-4 days. 

So anyone ever tried this for lymphedema?

I'm all ears
JJ

When I had to have my thighs wrapped we used that foam stuff and to keep it up we had to crisscross the foam first then crisscross the first layer of ace like wrap. I had to keep my wraps on for 2 to 3 days and work on my feet for 12hr.s as a nurse so by the end of the third day mine had slipped and got tight around my ankles. Thank God, I am so much better after RNY 20 mo.s ago. I still have some swelling in my thighs but can wear compression pantihose .

I know how you feel. I have had lymphedema in both of my legs for years now. Not many people, Dr.s included, understand it. I believe my lymphedema started when I was a kid when my aunt noticed my feet swelling. The Dr.s I went to just told me to lose weight. I now have it in both legs, and have started getting it im both arms too. I have had a panniculectomy (removal of my large hanging belly fat) last year. My surgeon told me my lymphedema may get worse. It most certainly did! I am not saying your surgery may make yours worse or not. That is something you should ask your surgeon. As far as the wrapping goes, what more can I say, but UGH!!!!! I tried the leg wrapping last year and mine kept sliding off too. My Dr. said to try wearing a garter belt. I have yet to do it.

Insurance may or may not cover your bandages. It depends on where you go for treatment. I have lymphedema specialists close by, but my insurance won't cover the cost of the wraps. There is one place that considers it "in patient" and my insurance will cover the cost if I go to this particular place. However, I am number 28 on their waiting list!!!!!

I found out that the summer heat makes lymphedema worse and to stay in air conditioned places.

I am having trouble handling my lymphedema emotionally. I am angry, depressed, have crying spells, etc. I will have to be wrapped on my entire legs, both arms, possibly hands too, and wear a binder on my abdomen. Talk about being wrapped like a mummy! And all these wraps in this heat!!!!!

Sorry for the long reply. I just wanted you to know that I understand completely what you are going through. I am trying to get on Dr. OZ, or at least have him discuss lymphedema to spread awareness of it. I am getting tired of being made fun of, or stared at like a freak by ignorant kids, (and some adults) I swear, I want to wear a T-shirt that says,"  I am not fat, I have lymphedema, so BITE ME!!!"

Seriously ask around about where you may be able to go so your insurance will cover the high cost. Just be aware that there also may be a lengthy waiting list too. ((((((hugs))))))