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Topic: RE: Lymphedem and Plastic Surgery
Miss Jean
I will have to have plastics too when I have met my goal. My lymphedema Dr. is very supportive and has told me to have the excess skin removed from my stomach and legs and arms to relieve the pressure on the lymphatic system down stream and prevent skin irritations that can cause infection.Not sure how much insurance will pay but know that breast reduction and pannectomy can be covered especially if you have irritations. So take pictures . Inteerstingly my Dr. said as the fat goes so will the fluid and it is.I'm down 3 compression hose sizes in 6 mo.
Miss Jean 
Topic: RE: Anybody know how to get rid of Venous Stasis discoloration?
Hi Kenneco,
You're already doing the right stuff to reverse it!
1. Compression hose
2. Exercise
3. Weight control
4. Elevation of the legs
Is all you need. Just give it time and congrats on being on the loser's bench.
Good luck,
Scott
You're already doing the right stuff to reverse it!
1. Compression hose
2. Exercise
3. Weight control
4. Elevation of the legs
Is all you need. Just give it time and congrats on being on the loser's bench.
Good luck,
Scott
Topic: RE: Lymphedem and Plastic Surgery
Hi mantionette,
Plastic surgery in general puts a person at risk for lymphedema. Most surgeons post-op should provide compression garments for arms lifts etc. If you're just going for a tuck mostly you should be fine, at least I think so. The real answer is to get a consultation and address it with the surgeon. If he/she tries to bypass the subject I would find another surgeon.
Any kind of surgery that occurs around your lymp nodes and possibly damages them will put you at risk for lymphedema so it's imperative they address that.
Good luck,
Scott
Plastic surgery in general puts a person at risk for lymphedema. Most surgeons post-op should provide compression garments for arms lifts etc. If you're just going for a tuck mostly you should be fine, at least I think so. The real answer is to get a consultation and address it with the surgeon. If he/she tries to bypass the subject I would find another surgeon.
Any kind of surgery that occurs around your lymp nodes and possibly damages them will put you at risk for lymphedema so it's imperative they address that.
Good luck,
Scott
Topic: RE: I hate Lipedema
Miss Jean
Nancy, Great Job! My Dr. said as the fat goes so will the fluid. I am right behind you 11/05/09. I too am much smaller on the top but we had to start somewhere. We will get there we just need to be patient I'm finding I'm more shapely as I lose after RNY than with the liquid diets. Remember we didn't gain the weight overnite and it's been there awhile so our body has to hunt and destroy and expel the fat and fluid. It's all in the process.. My left lower leg is bigger than the right and the right thigh is bigger than the left . The important thing is if you feel better and can function better. I still get tired so need to pace myself but I'm 100% better than I was 6 mo.s ago and am amazed everyday at how my body is changing. Make sure you get enough protein and enough fluids to wash the waste out or it just settles somewhere else. I'm glad we have this support to vent this is life changing and no one knows how it is unless they are experiencing the same things. Miss Jean
Miss Jean 
Topic: Anybody know how to get rid of Venous Stasis discoloration?
I have recently had a lap band surgery six weeks ago.� I am now down 37lbs.� I am pleased to say that the size of my ankles, due to Edema, have decreased by quite a bit.� And, I can walk much better now.
I still have a lot of discoloration caused by Venous Stasis on the lower 12" of my ankles.� Will this eventually�go away or should I be using some kind of medication in addition to my sequential pumped leg stockings?
I still have a lot of discoloration caused by Venous Stasis on the lower 12" of my ankles.� Will this eventually�go away or should I be using some kind of medication in addition to my sequential pumped leg stockings?
Topic: I hate Lipedema
Today is the six month anniversary of my surgery. I'm pleased with my 100+ lb. loss, but not the progress of my legs. I know, lots of people on Lip and LE support groups warned that most of the weight loss would be in the top half, but I tried to be optimistic. When I first looked into having surgery, my LE doctor said that she felt I had plenty of plain ole' adipose tissue in my legs, and that I should lose there. Well, yesterday I went to see her. She was pleased with the weight loss, and I have gone down in all my leg measurements. My left thigh went down five inches. She did admit that we will just have to wait and see how much progress I make. It is just really frustrating to have lost so much, to have clothes baggy from the belly up, and not be able to move down one size in pants due to these darned legs! Now when I look down, instead of seeing my belly, I see my thighs sticking out, so that makes me more aware of it as well.
Thanks for listening to me whine!
Nancy
Thanks for listening to me whine!
Nancy
Topic: Lymphedem and Plastic Surgery
Hello everyone!!
I hope you all had a great weekend and a great day today!!
I hate to bug you guys and pick your brains, but you all have been so helpful in the past I wanted to see if anybody has anything on this subject.
Lymphedema and excess skin.
I have loss over 150lbs and have kept it off for 5 years. However back in 2007, when my weight was stabilizing, my legs started to swell out of no where. I went from doctor to doctor with no explanation and had every blood test, and acronym test you can find only to be told that nothing was wrong. But then I went to another Dr. outside of my network, he said that I had lymphedema because my blood pressure was high and that I need to take meds to control it. He sent me to a physical therapist, who massaged me and wrapped me for a week and in combination with that and the meds I immediately dropped 15-19lbs of fluid with in 2 weeks. I've been on the meds for the duration since then.
But I just noticed that I don't swell unless I don't get enough sleep and also it popped in my mind that I'm carrying around the weight in skin on a 5ft 5in frame of a whole other (plus-sized) person and would think that would have an effect on my circulatory system too.
I only posted this on this board to see if anyone had the same problem and were able to get insurance to approve plastic surgery because of this.
As usual your time, thoughts and suggestions are greatly appreciated,
Marie
I hope you all had a great weekend and a great day today!! I hate to bug you guys and pick your brains, but you all have been so helpful in the past I wanted to see if anybody has anything on this subject.
Lymphedema and excess skin.
I have loss over 150lbs and have kept it off for 5 years. However back in 2007, when my weight was stabilizing, my legs started to swell out of no where. I went from doctor to doctor with no explanation and had every blood test, and acronym test you can find only to be told that nothing was wrong. But then I went to another Dr. outside of my network, he said that I had lymphedema because my blood pressure was high and that I need to take meds to control it. He sent me to a physical therapist, who massaged me and wrapped me for a week and in combination with that and the meds I immediately dropped 15-19lbs of fluid with in 2 weeks. I've been on the meds for the duration since then.
But I just noticed that I don't swell unless I don't get enough sleep and also it popped in my mind that I'm carrying around the weight in skin on a 5ft 5in frame of a whole other (plus-sized) person and would think that would have an effect on my circulatory system too.
I only posted this on this board to see if anyone had the same problem and were able to get insurance to approve plastic surgery because of this.
As usual your time, thoughts and suggestions are greatly appreciated,
Marie
Topic: Lymphedema Bill introduced in Congress
I almost cried while reading this... at one time I battled infections every 6 weeks, I was hospitalized several times a year, and even had home healthcare. HOWEVER, with the proper treatment I have not had an infection in over 5 years!!! I have saved my insurance company $$$ by managing my lymphedema. $700/ 2 year for ...compression garments is a lot less expensive than hospitalizations...and yet I have to battle to get my garments covered.
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-4662
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-4662
I have Lipedema and Lymphedema. I also have a passion for Obesity and Health Insurance Advocacy.
Blog: born2lbfat.com Facebook: Born2lbFat Twitter: @born2lbfat
Topic: RE: Need feedback from Pump users
I've had a compression pump for years, but the best thing I've used is a Jovi-Pak for nighttime compression.
Topic: RE: lymphedema
Hi there - that's a pretty broad question without knowing any details. Here's what happened with me, so hopefully something in here will help you!
Lymphedema (LE) has quite a number of causes, and varies greatly in severity - which can change the suggested treatment greatly.
For example, early on my LE was treated with diuretics ('water pills') that made me pee out the excess fluid. But since the primary cause of my LE was my weight, this didn't work for very long. I had ultrasounds of my legs to confirm the problem was lymphatic and not due to vein problems.
When my LE got quite bad - could hardly find any shoes to fit me, was in a lot of pain due to the swelling - I went to a Lymphedema Therapist (they're like Physical Therapists, but specialize in LE). I had to see her 4 times a week for 10 weeks for compression therapy (bandages and padding) and manual lymphatic drainage massage. This was because my feet and legs were constantly swollen and needed to be reduced in size before I could do 'maintenance' on my own.
Before my WLS (and for several months afterward) I wore medical grade compression devices (www.circaid.com/Pages/Products/classicflex.html that required a prescription. I used the circaids because I knew I'd be losing size in my legs and they are adjustable.
Now, my LE has improved with my weight loss to the point where I can maintain it with just off the shelf compression socks (no prescription needed).
The compression therapy, massage and continued use of compression has really, really helped. I'm no longer in pain, and no longer feel like the Michelain man. Yep, socks can be a pain in the bum and don't look all that sexy, but it's worth it since my legs aren't killing me any more!
Good luck with getting the right treatment that works for you!
Lymphedema (LE) has quite a number of causes, and varies greatly in severity - which can change the suggested treatment greatly.
For example, early on my LE was treated with diuretics ('water pills') that made me pee out the excess fluid. But since the primary cause of my LE was my weight, this didn't work for very long. I had ultrasounds of my legs to confirm the problem was lymphatic and not due to vein problems.
When my LE got quite bad - could hardly find any shoes to fit me, was in a lot of pain due to the swelling - I went to a Lymphedema Therapist (they're like Physical Therapists, but specialize in LE). I had to see her 4 times a week for 10 weeks for compression therapy (bandages and padding) and manual lymphatic drainage massage. This was because my feet and legs were constantly swollen and needed to be reduced in size before I could do 'maintenance' on my own.
Before my WLS (and for several months afterward) I wore medical grade compression devices (www.circaid.com/Pages/Products/classicflex.html that required a prescription. I used the circaids because I knew I'd be losing size in my legs and they are adjustable.
Now, my LE has improved with my weight loss to the point where I can maintain it with just off the shelf compression socks (no prescription needed).
The compression therapy, massage and continued use of compression has really, really helped. I'm no longer in pain, and no longer feel like the Michelain man. Yep, socks can be a pain in the bum and don't look all that sexy, but it's worth it since my legs aren't killing me any more!
Good luck with getting the right treatment that works for you!
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