options available for lymphedema, including lymphatic massage, surgical removal of affected tissue, and a complex microsurgery called lymphovenous fistulant

 

I have an appointment for a consult with Dr. Charles Herman in E. Stroudsburg, PA on the 16th to find out if I am a candidate for the micro surgery.  

This surgery was explained to me as tiny shunts being permanently placed in the problem area and forming a bridge to the veins and arteries to keep fluids moving out.

I am so hoping that this surgery is for me.  I've lost 265#, am about 20# from goal and the scale keeps backsliding 15-20 # due to the excess fluids in my legs.

I am new to these boards and to dependant edema.  I have gained 7-9 pounds in the last 2 weeks from what I think is fluid alone.  I have pitting edema in my feet, ankles, hands and wrists.
I am uncomfortable about the extra weight, but more so about the discomfort.  I am more swollen in my ankles than when I was 9 months pregnant.

I am looking of rinformation about what you guys do for edema.  I have been avoiding salt, drinking tons of water, getting good exercise, and sleeping with my feet elevated.   None of which seem to be helping.

I guess I will need to make an appointment with a doctor.  Now, I just need to pick who I will go to as soon as possible.

Any thoughts?   

Can You please tell me the name of your support stockings with the zipper. My Aunt/Godmother has lymphodema & I think she could get help with them. Her calf size is very large. How big do they come. Thank you! Please feel free to contact me @ my email address: [email protected]

Thank you for your response to this. 

SYMPTOMS:   My right foot and ankle have been swollen for about 1 year. Can be very painful at times. Pressing fingers into skin leaves a divot. Usually wear pressure stockings or sleep with it elevated. Mornings are most comfortable and then goes downhill from there. Cholesterol and BP are perfect.  About 30 pounds overweight.  Heart is perfect.  Left leg is fine.  I've had every test done you can think of.... all inconclusive.  No one can figure this out and I am sick of it. 

TESTS: Just had lymphscintigraphy yesterday and the results were confusing. Left leg started clearing the radioactive tracer immediately..... right foot had no clearance for over an hour.  I was excited because finally a test showed something was broke but the fact that it eventually DID clear is very confusing.  After the hour elapsed, the tracer made it's way up the right leg, through the groin area and on towards the liver.  During the entire test, I was laying flat and steady.  They took xrays continously to watch the tracer move.  This went from 800am till 9:30am.  I was released and told to come back at 11am for the full body xray.  That's when they confirmed that both legs cleared out the tracer.

But here I am, 24 hrs later and my foot is still swollen and hurting like crazy.


QUESTION: what would cause it take over an hour before it started to clear the tracer out ?? What other tests could be done ? Could the trouble leg have blockage somewhere else that is acting like a garden hose when kinked ???  Could some anatomical problem be constricting things and causing the lymph system to malfunction ?

HELP !!!