Surgery for lymphedema

@lifetraveler i appreciate your support… people that’s not dealing with these issues truly don’t understand how difficult living in these situations truly are. My entire look at life has changed, I think about depth more than a person ever should… enjoying life is forced from me when it shouldn’t be.
I pray for a miracle, I pray that this goes away, I’ve been crying for 3 days straight!! Omg.
You support for me means a lot.
And if I can help you (even though I’m at my lowest) I will, I’m not strong & im tired. Seems like I’ve been surviving all my life & im so tired of living in survival!
Thanks for your kind words I needed that.

Hello, I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020. They took 16 lymph nodes from me! My arm is swelling up and I’m feeling really bad. Starting to cry every day about my precious body… I would have NEVER recommended that amount of lymph nodes to be removed from my body… I know how hard I’ve worked to keep a healthy body, Not perfect but I try & struggle daily with being healthy.
Is there any hope for lymphedema????
I feel like fluids are invading my body.
I’m so upset as I type, tears are not stopping. I feel so violated also disgusted. This feeling is getting stronger.

My heart goes out to you. I only had 3 removed and am having lots of lymphedema issues. The best advise I can give you is to keep seeking out a good massage therapist that has knowledge of lymphatic massage. I go every other week and do what I can in between. I will never stop. It is the best thing for me. I have also tried and ,when it’s not too hot , use compression. It does help. I hope you have a major turn around and find the help you need.

My heart goes out to you. I only had 3 removed and am having lots of lymphedema issues. The best advise I can give you is to keep seeking out a good massage therapist that has knowledge of lymphatic massage. I go every other week and do what I can in between. I will never stop. It is the best thing for me. I have also tried and ,when it’s not too hot , use compression. It does help. I hope you have a major turn around and find the help you need.

@jkh before I log off, I meant to ask you… do they have something for lymphedema that can drain the fluid out of your body? Like a pump/or suction? (Other than a massage… something that drains the fluid out?

Hello, I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020. They took 16 lymph nodes from me! My arm is swelling up and I’m feeling really bad. Starting to cry every day about my precious body… I would have NEVER recommended that amount of lymph nodes to be removed from my body… I know how hard I’ve worked to keep a healthy body, Not perfect but I try & struggle daily with being healthy.
Is there any hope for lymphedema????
I feel like fluids are invading my body.
I’m so upset as I type, tears are not stopping. I feel so violated also disgusted. This feeling is getting stronger.

@jkh before I log off, I meant to ask you… do they have something for lymphedema that can drain the fluid out of your body? Like a pump/or suction? (Other than a massage… something that drains the fluid out?

There are surgeries that specifically address the flow of lymph fluid through the lymph nodes and also sometimes by connecting them to blood vessels to restore flow. Long before you’re even considered a candidate for this, you have to be evaluated and they will determine that you either have a blockage which might be able to be addressed Surgically by implanting a stent between the lymph node and a blood vessel, or you have lost lymph function and a transfer of lymph nodes from one part of your body into the area of your body affected by Lymphedema can be attempted. The surgery are often not covered by insurance, considered somewhat experimental still, and is always the fact, there is no guarantee that they will solve the problem. What I discovered the missing link to be in my evaluation and treatment of lymphedema in my right upper extremity. Was that a referral. Her medical evaluation of lymphatic flow was never considered until I researched it on my own, discovered that these options existed, and called a facility where they were provided on my own to find out how I would go about scheduling a consultation. I think that’s an excusable and I think it happens more often than we realize. It is my personal belief that any of us who feel we are not benefiting either at all or well enough from established procedures, massage, garments, pumping, etc., should receive a referral For evaluation of lymphatic flow Only then will you know exactly what it is that you’re dealing with. You will also know if surgery might be an option and how to proceed down that path. I felt that in my case the patient was the one asking the right questions and seeking the right information. The “professionals “were busy, suggesting, lose weight, exercise, more, are you wearing your garment all the time, are you doing MLD? It was my experience that when I answered affirmatively to all of the above, they just didn’t believe me. Because if they had believed me, they would’ve thought for a moment and said, maybe this is a surgical patient. But that didn’t happen in my case, and my searching for greater help with my Lymphedema was completely self driven. It shouldn’t be that way.

There are surgeries that specifically address the flow of lymph fluid through the lymph nodes and also sometimes by connecting them to blood vessels to restore flow. Long before you’re even considered a candidate for this, you have to be evaluated and they will determine that you either have a blockage which might be able to be addressed Surgically by implanting a stent between the lymph node and a blood vessel, or you have lost lymph function and a transfer of lymph nodes from one part of your body into the area of your body affected by Lymphedema can be attempted. The surgery are often not covered by insurance, considered somewhat experimental still, and is always the fact, there is no guarantee that they will solve the problem. What I discovered the missing link to be in my evaluation and treatment of lymphedema in my right upper extremity. Was that a referral. Her medical evaluation of lymphatic flow was never considered until I researched it on my own, discovered that these options existed, and called a facility where they were provided on my own to find out how I would go about scheduling a consultation. I think that’s an excusable and I think it happens more often than we realize. It is my personal belief that any of us who feel we are not benefiting either at all or well enough from established procedures, massage, garments, pumping, etc., should receive a referral For evaluation of lymphatic flow Only then will you know exactly what it is that you’re dealing with. You will also know if surgery might be an option and how to proceed down that path. I felt that in my case the patient was the one asking the right questions and seeking the right information. The “professionals “were busy, suggesting, lose weight, exercise, more, are you wearing your garment all the time, are you doing MLD? It was my experience that when I answered affirmatively to all of the above, they just didn’t believe me. Because if they had believed me, they would’ve thought for a moment and said, maybe this is a surgical patient. But that didn’t happen in my case, and my searching for greater help with my Lymphedema was completely self driven. It shouldn’t be that way.