I am five years out from my mastectomy which included removal of 19 lymph nodes, three of which were malignant. Within four months of the mastectomy, I had developed right upper extremity lymphedema. I started occupational therapy, wearing a compression garment, doing exercise exercises. It’s typically the next step. And for most people it works. It didn’t work for me, however. I had a total loss of lymphatic function in my arm, and had to have a highly specialized transplant surgery, which restored the function. if I could do it all over again at the time, my Lymphedema was first discovered I would have asked for a DYE test. They inject a green dye between your fingers and then watch it as it travels up your arm, or leg. In my case, there was zero movement I had lost all function. had I known that earlier I would’ve had VLNT surgery a year earlier than I did. The diet test is not painful and is not difficult and it will determine those rare instances or total loss of lymph function has occurred. They will also determine instances where you do have the function and you’re a great candidate for therapy and wearing compression garments. Just my opinion, but it’s better to know sooner than later where you stand. They don’t do that test everywhere so you may have to travel.