Amy, Well my doctor didn't know what was causing the rash, either, and agreed that it might be a system overload, but that unless it got worse to just wait and see what happened. It's slowly been getting better, but it's still there. I am back to wrapping both legs so I'm making progress again. And I've started back on my exercise bike, but for only ten minutes at a time and will see how that goes. Between the not exercising and not wrapping, I've been putting weight back on. Granted, it's only three pounds, but after so many months of losing weight, that seems like a lot! My PT did give me some additional massage for my abdomen to try to move things along, but now I think that some fluid is building up on my upper legs, which weren't a problem before. I'm not looking forward to having to wrap the upper legs, but I don't want to give up on this! Thanks for your insight into things, and I will keep an eye out for any sign of infection.  Regards, Pam

Molly,

Have you gone through the surgery already?

Sorry I cannot help, but I've seen on the yahoo groups I am on that knee replacement can sometimes make the condition have more swelling, but as long as you maintain therapy and low leg wrapping you should be able to contain it. With any surgeries with already LE there it can make it worse or better, you really never know the outcome.

I did have gastric bypass surgery about 16 months ago and have lost 203 lbs. My lymphedema/lipedema is located in my lower legs, so that is all that we have been treating. As you learn about clearing the lymph system, the gut is a major player in the process, so my PT thought that some of the fluid we were trying to clear was sitting in my panni. She has showed me some additional clearing exercises for there, and it seems to be better.  Still no answer on the rash.She thinks that it might be a sign that we have overwhelmed my lymph system with the treatment, but even though I have reduced my wrapping to one leg at a time, the rash is still there. I've got an appointment with my doctor this afternoon to see what she thinks about it.  I have had two bouts of cellulitis. The last one wasn't a very severe case, but the one years ago put me in the hospital on IV anitbiotics for six weeks. Not an experience that I care to repeat. The most discouraging thing is losing the progress that took four weeks to make in a matter of days since I've only been able to wrap one leg at a time. Not to mention that each treatment is a 270 mile round trip. I like living in a small town, but it sucks when you have to travel so far for medical treatment. Good luck with your treatment. I hope everything goes well for you.  Pam

Hi, I have almost decided that I am going to get my knees replaced early next year. My question, is there anyone out there who has had the operation and also had lymphadema. I am only mid way to my goal, but I have a long road for that. Any information would be helpful. I have stage 2 in my calf and stage 3 in my lower area around the ankle. Nothing above the knee. Thanks. Jeanne