Is lymphedema common after lipo or thighplasty? I would like to research any suggestions?

I am scheduled to have extensive lipo of the knees, lower & inner thighs (together with a LBL) followed by a vertical incision thighplasty (to the knee or lower!) . I am most terrified of developing lymphedema! I already have very large shapeless legs and thighs and extensive lumpiness which some websites mention might be a form of primary lymphedema, though I 've never been diagnosed with it . I've lived with my huge lumpy legs all my 54 years of life and it has been the source of my greatest social rejection. I wouldn't go through surgery at all if I couldn't improve them. I couldn't stand going through the thighplasty and ending up with even bigger thighs and huge legs and feet. I couldn't cope. I am a type 1 diabetic and am very concerned about risks. My PS is Dr. Katzen and he has reassured me that he never has patients develop problems and has worked on lots of diabetics, though"the legs will get worse before they get better." Stupid me, I didn't ask what he meant! I got confident and scheduled the work, but in the meantime have consulted with other surgeons who uniformly warn me not to do the thigh work near the knee because of the risks. I don't know who to believe! After all, Dr. Katzen does most of the post WLS PS in this area, so maybe his confidence is from experience others don't have. I don't know! Anyhow, I have 2 weeks to go before I commit to the LBL and lipo surgery. Should I cancel the lipo and the follow up thighplasty or jump in and pray for the best? Oh gosh! I am so anxious! Anyone else out there have a thighplasty with Dr Katzen? Anyone develop lymphedema?? Thank you for listening and I welcome any and all input. I just really need support. Molly

no there are no therapist that will come out to the home due to the lymp and the painic disorder still havent left the house since my last hospital stay ...dont know what to do from here

Cynthia, Any really good therapist is going to tell you NOT to have therapy until the cellulitis resolved first. What can happen is the fluid that is infected basically will move and the infection can spread. I don't know of any therapist that is trained who would attempt to do this. You'd run a really big risk of moving that infection to other areas. I hope this helps. I would call and reschedule or you may still go to get their opinion on the matter too. Good luck! Amy

Being at the beginning of my journey to address my LE and have WLS, it is so wonderful to read stories like yours and Amy's. It gives me hope and when you are as big as I am, with legs as deformed as mine, that is means A LOT! Thanks for sharing your story. - Desiree