5 year update on SAPL surgery for lymphedema leg.

[Snaomi]

Hello everyone and HAPPY NEW YEAR 2022. It has been a very long time since I have given an update on the SAPL surgery I had done 5 years ago on my left leg. I am very happy to say that I am still maintaining my legs and they have remained small. Yay! For those of you wondering, this is what I can tell you. After 5 years. I still wear daily class 3 custom garments. I don't wear anything at night which is great! Summers here are pretty hot and more so with garments. I am very fortunate to have a pool and a stationary bike for in the pool so I stay cool that way. I walk usually 3.5 to 5 miles most days usually early morning or later in day at certain times of year. I have had opportunities to participate in future training with students wanting to learn more about lymphedema. The biggest lessons I have learned in the past 5 years is to treat myself with kindness rest when needed. I have no regrets with having done the surgery and I am still very happy with the results. I am also very happy when I am able to help others with this condition. So I am sharing with you so that if any of you are on the fence and want to know someone else's experience you have mine. Peace, joy, hope, love and happiness to all of you lovely ladies and gents.. Never forget how special and unique you are.

[Julia-25]

That’s fantastic news,I’m so pleased for you.I hadn’t realised how much time had passed since your surgery,five years wow!that time has really flown by.

Happy New Year to you too and keep up the good work xx

[Snaomi in reply to Julia-25]

It really has flown by.

[SamLymphie]

Hi Naomi and Happy New year!It's so encouraging and refreshing to hear good stories about successful surgery and patients getting on well with lymphoedema.

Can i ask if by SAPL you mean Suction Assisted Protein Lipectomy?

Are you able to share more details about where and with whom you did it please?

I have had 2 lymph nodes transplants and liposuction in 2010 and 2011 which helped reduce the size of my leg but my thigh has these past couple of years gone really hard from fibrosis and it's getting worse slowly, I'm now swollen unless I'm bandaged or in hosiery (this wasn't the case in the past, i could take the day off hosiery and the size would go down again once I rested, it now swells as soon as i get up!)

So I'm looking at what else can be done to help it, whether another surgery to get the size down again or something else.

Would appreciate if you could share a bit more on this SAPL as sound great.

Best,

Samia

[Snaomi in reply to SamLymphie]

Samia, I live in the US and had a surgeon from down in Manhattan Beach do the surgery. His name is Dr. Jai Granzow. Fantastic doctor. I had both legs done but at different times. I would recommend to you to to do some mld and get the swelling down and then wrap it. I am diligent about keeping my garments on all day until bedtime and only have them off to shower. For fibrosis tissue you might try suction cups lightly around the area and then mld. It works. After my surgeries, I have only had to do mld sometimes but wearing the garments is not option it is a must. Hope this helps. Take care.

[Snaomi in reply to Snaomi]

Also yes SAPL = Suction Assisted protein lipectomy

[SamLymphie in reply to Snaomi]

Thanks, wish i was as diligent!I find it too painful to keep hosiery on all day especially if i am seating or lying down.

I am making contact to be referred again, here in London, UK i am finding the level of care isn't great but will give it a try and see.

[lovesradio]

So good to hear from you Snaomi, I can't believe it's 5 years but am delighted to hear of your successful outcomes. Keep on keeping on honey xx

[Snaomi in reply to lovesradio]

Thank you.

[Benita88]

That is fantastic news! Congrats! I am still waiting to get mine done., my Doctor says I need to lose weight. I hope for the same success.

[violetta15]

Thank you for your info .. Very much appreciate it! I have lymphedema in my right leg after surgery 3 and 1/2 ago...

[Microsurgeon]

Great news. The evidence from Brorson (who originally described this technique) is that once you are at a stable limb volume following SAPL (liposuction for lymphoedema) and have good compression then you should stay at that volume indefinitely. I think the longest follow he has published is 15 years.

[Snaomi in reply to Microsurgeon]

The key is to wear the garments regularly.

[Microsurgeon in reply to Snaomi]

Totally agree. Hopefully with a smaller leg then it is easier to find garments that fit and are easier to don and doff. I'm interested that you don't wear garments overnight. Brorson's mantra is 23 1/2 hours a day but I think there has to be some flexibility as all patients are different and respond to compression in a different way. Great to hear your positive experience. IMO, lymphoedema surgery is all about selecting the right operation for the right person. Sounds like between you and Jay, you got the choices right. Well done.

[Perido]

Hi Snaomi,

Good to hear that SAPL has worked out well for you.

You mention that you wear class 3 garments - are your stockings/tights custom-made or ready -made?

Also, after the SAPL, have you ever needed to wear compression at night? - if so how long after surgery were you able to stop wearing it?

TIA.

[Snaomi in reply to Perido]

Hi there. My garments are custom made class 3. I wore them every day and night for the first year. Then I started to take off at night here and there. I am fortunate that if I experience a little swelling during the day (not much) over night it reduces back down. If I am going to be doing an all day strenuous activity I might add a class 2 but very rarely. I hope this helps you.