Question:
Is there anyone out there how has lymphedema and is having a slow wt loss

I havre severe lymphedema in the legs for which i have been in therapy for three years. I have lost 156 lbs in a year and a half, but none what so ever in my legs.    — Carol M. (posted on May 23, 2002)

May 22, 2002
Hey, Carol! Good to hear from you. As you know, I too have minor lymphedema in my right leg. As I have lost weight, the skin on both my legs has begun to hang very, very bad, with bulky tissue in my lower right leg. It gets better with diuretics, compression and elevation, but never goes away. I had the first phase of reconstructive surgery last week and in addition to the panni and breast lift, my surgeon lipsuctioned about 15 pounds from my calves (5-10, left and right respectively). In about 6 weeks, she will remove the redundant skin from my legs with vertical incisions to avoid any further damage to the lymphatic system. I expect to have reasonably normal looking legs after that. Debulking is the name of the surgical procedure at the lymphedemic site. Remember, lymphedema strikes even skinny people and is separate in treatment from simply having fat legs. I know it gets discouraging. Keep walking as much as you can...it helps. Good Luck and keep us posted.
   — merri B.

February 1, 2003
God bless the person who told me about this page! I knew I would find people like me. I have lymphedema in both my legs and spent almost two years having doctors tell me it was just becuase of my weight...then I began losing some and my legs did not change. I eventually got a correct diagnosis about a year ago and began pumping and compression therapy. I expect my compression garments any day now and hope they get here before my surgery, which is in 8 days! I asked my surgeon how this surgery would affect the lymphedema and he said he wasn't sure. Lucky for me my lymphedema doctor is at the same hospital where I am having my surgery, I have also contacted the physical therapist there to make sure I will be treated and wrapped while in the hospital. I don't think the regular hose they put on to avoid blood clots will fit me. My leg doctor also said that I should wait and have all my skin removed at the same time. I'm not looking that far ahead now.
   — Sarahlicious