Oxford microsurgery

[Stephob]

I've just returned from visiting the oxford lymphedema practice and had the dye injected into my foot to see if I was a candidate for the microsurgery, sadly I am not and lipo is my only other option! I can't find much on real people writing about their experiences tho, when I google it's only papers about research which is great but I like real opinions too. Can anyone point me in the right direction to find some ?

I also highly recommend if you can afford it to go there and get the test, the 3 men who saw me were so lovely and informative!

[Lynora]

Hi Stephob - I think several people on this forum have received liposuction for lymphoedema - is lymphoedema your diagnosis or lipoedema? There are a few surgeons offering liposuction in the UK - majority are private - a few people have gone to European centres for the procedure. I'm sure they will be here any minute to offer advice.

[Stephob in reply to Lynora]

It's lymphedema secondary I've had it for 15 years. The men who saw me did say they think I should wait a few more years before I consider it but everything I need to do to keep my LE at bay/stable is effecting life/working so much I feel like it's a full time job. I know alex does it here in scotland on NHS but it will be private I ultimately go for no doubt.

[Lynora in reply to Stephob]

I have sent a PM.

[Libmeg]

Hi there I have recently had liposuction on my R leg I also have secondary lymphoedema. I am on week 5 now and my leg is looking good,I still have post op bruising and some discomfort in my leg but the shape is amazing.my biggest problem so far is my ability to sleep I never previously wore any support in bed but now have to and I am struggling with this. I wear the farrow wraps at night and my garment during day. I have been measured for a night support which I am praying will help.It is early days for me but if you want any questions answered I will try my best to help regards Linda x

[j9sinclair in reply to Libmeg]

Hello, How is your leg after your Liposuction now that it is one year post op? I am going for a consult this week.

Feeling hopeful!

[Libmeg in reply to j9sinclair]

Hi just seen your post,good that things are moving forward for you. I am still so happy with my leg one year down the line.Have maintained the fluid loss and leg continues to look near normal size and shape I would recommend the surgery to all as it has definitely given me a step nearer normality I still need my garments daily but have now returned to sleeping with a bare leg BLISS!!! good luck for your o if you decide to go for it 😊xxx

[ulverin]

Hi! Sorry to hear that and I understand completely that you would not want to wait anymore with lipo. Why is it that you are not a good candidate to have microsurgery? Did they explain it? I should have the same test done soon, I hope, if my surgeon sends me - I will meet him next week.

[CCT67 in reply to ulverin]

Hi just to answer your question about not being a good candidate for LVA. I was also seen by Professor Furniss and his colleagues in Oxford, and was told they can't undertake the operation on my legs. In short, the operation requires a presence of lymph vessels in the LE limb as the surgery is attaching lymph vessels with blood vessels. Without lymph vessels the op is not feasible. Sadly, almost everyone with Primary LE is not a candidate (according to Professor Furniss and Mr Ramaden). Some secondary cases are also not candates. The scan they use, ie ICG Lymphography is the only one that is able to show the pathology of the LE limb. It's a specialist scan not widely available. I'd already had a lymphoscintigraphy a year before and the ICG gave much more detail about exactly what lymphatic impairments I have in both legs (no vessels and undeveloped/faulty lymph valves and nodes). They also told me they did not think I was a candidate for lymph node transfer. In due course suction assisted lipectomy would help reduce the bulk. There are a lot of people on American LE web support groups that have had the lipectomy/liposuction - all th anecdotal feedback has been very positive. Cat x

[Stephob in reply to ulverin]

My deep lymphatic channels have no pump, the dye they Injected pooled in my toes where as in my right leg it was seen right up in my groin after 45 mins

[CCT67]

Hi Stephob, so sorry to hear of the outcome of your appointment and ICG Lymphography scan. I was also seen by Professor Furniss and Mr Ramsden in Oxford 14 months ago and was told it's impossible for them to undertake thr LVA operation on my legs. the operation requires a presence of lymph vessels- without lymph vessels the op is not feasible. Sadly, almost everyone with Primary LE is not a candidate according to Professor Furniss. I was in floods of tears with their devastating news. I'd already had a lymphoscintigraphy a year before and the ICG gave much more detail about exactly what lymphatic impairments I have in both legs (no vessels and undeveloped/faulty lymph valves and nodes). It was good to finally know what's actually wrong with my lymphatics. They also told me they did not think I was a candidate for lymph node transfer surgery. Just as they said to you they told me that in due course suction assisted lipectomy would help reduce the bulk. There are some here and a lot of people on 3 American LE web support groups I'm in that have had the lipectomy/liposuction - all the anecdotal feedback has been very positive. I'm sure there will be some posts on here from people who have had the op in the UK but it probably won't be available on the NHS All the best x

[Dc33]

Hi Stephob,

I have also looked at liposuction for lymphoedema , I have sent you a PM.

[Hobbs123]

Hi Stephob, sorry to hear you were not suitable for supermicrosurgery. Could you tell me the cost of seeing if you are suitable for LVA?

Thanks and best wishes

Jan

[Stephob in reply to Hobbs123]

Hi Jan, it's £650. If you are suitable for it the cost starts at £15,000 so bear it in mind x

[Hobbs123 in reply to Stephob]

Oh wow! That's quite expensive. Thank you for letting me know.

Jan

[wfaf]

thank you everyone for all the info on this site, the results of microsurgery it says is about 80% Please does anyone now what effect are the other 20% having.

Many thanks to all

[Snaomi]

Stephob

[Snaomi]

@Stephob Hi there. My name is Sharon. I had the Lipo/sapl done 10 weeks ago this coming Thursday. I am very pleased with the surgery thus far. If you would like specifics of my surgery I'd be happy to share it with you. You can ask me on this forum or you can pm with your questions at [e-mail].

Would be happy to answer any of your questions. I am beyond pleased with my outcome.

Regards,

Sharon

[Stephob in reply to Snaomi]

Thanks Sharon I will email you today x