Abnormal leg swelling?

Many of you know that I have a condition called Lymphedema and then there are new people or some that have never heard of it. Lymphedema is a condition that is often over looked as simple swelling or just a person is "fat". It's not any of the above, it can be disforming or disabling. It can become worse as time progresses. It can happen in anyone no matter what the size and it only takes minor damage to the lymph system to have it develop. It's pretty common in those who had a large panni or where once over 350+ pounds, however you don't even have to have a weight problem for it to occur. It also occurs in many cancer patient who've had lymph nodes removed. I did an article for ObesityHelp's magazine about this condition. click here if you have adobe reader http://www.amylhwilliams.com/lymphedemaOH.pdf You can also find out more about this condition by visiting my personal website www.amylhwilliams.com Even if you don't have swelling in your legs it's nice to know about this because YOU could help someone else. You might wonder how, but that's simple. Most of us attend support meeting for this surgery. Often times I run into people that have this condition and they didn't even know it. It's actually pretty easy to tell someone has it in the severe cases. So please take the time to read the article I thank God everyday for a wonderful lady named Theresa. If it had not been for her speaking up and telling me about this condition I would have never known about it. Here's a photo before weight loss surgery and just starting therapy This is 3 years later, still a lot of skin left, but swelling it controlled.

Hi, Amy: Actually, I have a good case of lymphedema in my left leg, and get frequent cellulitis infections that can get pretty severe. It's been happening since well before I had my gastric bypass surgery, but they have increased in frequency since then.  The lymphedema, however, is gone out of my right leg since I've lost the 350 lbs I've lost so far. I wish more people (including doctors) knew about this and knew what the treatment is.  I'm just now starting to get help with mine.  That's partially because, at 652 lbs I was too big to get an MRI or anything else done, so all they did was treat the infections and haven't done anything about the swelling other than a slight bit of compression wraps, which seems to make the infection flare up. I'd be interested to hear if you had the infections and what they did for them, whether they've stopped or if you still have them. Thanks for the info!

Basically you have had re-occuring infection because as you may know lymphedema is a build up protein fluid.  When it sits in that one area and is not being moved out, it can breed bacteria and infections.  I did have cellulitis in my leg one time, and thankfully with the therapy that moved the fluid out and that helped with me not getting anymore infections in my legs.    You can always run a risk of getting infection once you have lymphedema.  I'm constantly having to watch my legs to make sure I don't get any infections.

Yes, between my wife and I, we do the same thing - watch it constantly for signs of infection.  Usually, though, they flare up very, very quickly without much warning at all.   I'm seeing an infectious disease doctor because the infection is MRSA.  They're talking about performing surgery to remove any abcesses and / or de-bulking it to help the infections come less frequently, and then our medical group has a lymphedema clinic in one of it's hospitals out in Long Beach, CA (about a 30 minute drive for me) that I'll start going to. I know there's massages that can help move the fluid out.  I just can't find much information about it.  And, as I said, compression tends to make the infections flare up. Anyhow - it's good to see that there may be an end in sight.  It doesn't look like I have the same kind of swelling you did, and mine is pretty much localized to just below my left knee and above the ankle.  So hopefully they'll be able to get me through this so I can start working and supporting my family again.

Dave.... Whatever you do please do see someone who specializes in this first.  Many times de-bulking can cause other issues with swelling if done improperly and you run a risk of the lymphedema getting worse.  However, I've seen many cases that it was very much needed to get any healing to happen. I'll keep you in prayer that answers can be found. 

Thanks, Amy -  The surgeon that would do the de-bulking is the same surgeon that removed a 95 lb panus before I had my gastric bypass.  It was also mostly lymphatic tissue that had chronic infections like my leg does.  I literally trust him with my life - especially after what he's already done for me. I'll keep you posted.  It's just good to hear that someone has come out of this kind of quagmire and is doing well. Thanks again!

Sounds like you are in good hands.  It's very hard to find anyone that knows much about lymphedema or what in the world to do with it.