Weight loss surgery. : I have primary Lymphodeama in... - LSN

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Weight loss surgery.

Jenny113 profile image
12 Replies

I have primary Lymphodeama in both lower legs and one hand. It’s been stable for many years and managed with compression garments.

I have over the last decade put on quite a lot of weight. I’ve tried everything and weight loss is so slow I get get up and give up only to gain more. I’m also a stress eater and have had 18 motets of stress with a very ill husband.

I am considering weight loss surgery but been trying to find out if it could be detrimental to my Lymphodeama?

Any one know or had this surgery?

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Jenny113 profile image
Jenny113
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12 Replies
Sbluebam profile image
Sbluebam

Hello , A friend of mine had a gastric band and it’s helped her legs massively .. go for it you’ll wish you’d done it years ago . Good luck xx

Jenny113 profile image
Jenny113 in reply toSbluebam

I’m just not sure if there are big lymph vessels in the stomach that would be compromised and make the lymphodema worse?

Sbluebam profile image
Sbluebam in reply toJenny113

You could always ask the surgeon

Jenny113 profile image
Jenny113 in reply toSbluebam

Thank you. My feeling is that Lymphodeama is a very miss understood condition and a general surgeon might not understand. I will ask my lymphodema nurse.

brix75 profile image
brix75

Hello,

You are the first I have seen on here that mentions weight gain. I too would like more information from others about their experiences with that.

Do you also use the Flexitouch Plus system?

Jenny113 profile image
Jenny113 in reply tobrix75

I have a deep oscillation machine I use but not a pump.

roysome profile image
roysome

The dangerous fat is the visceral fat. No surgery can remove this.

As we all know, losing weight is never easy, OP, and it needs discipline and positivity. The latter is hard to maintain when carrying lymph all the time.

A pound or two in the right direction lost in a gradual way is the goal I would set. Anything drastic usually spells defeat. Strict routines are dispiriting.

I have the same problem, but by watching what I eat, rather than how much I eat and combining this with light but consistent exercising at least maintains rather than increases. Selecting an appropriate diet is not that difficult nowadays, as so much information abounds.

I have an exercise bike and a power pad (Vibrapower.) Some days I am only a minute on the former and only a couple more on the latter, but it is a step in the right direction at least. Some days I go mad. It depends.

The first aim has to be to stop continuing with weight gain. Losing weight then becomes easier.

Snobie profile image
Snobie

hi, I had weight loss surgery to help my primary lymphedema in my leg. I am sad to report that I think it did make my edema worse. I never had lymphedema in my abdomen, but now I do. I regained my weight within 5 years despite continuing to eat on my weight loss regimen. My lymphedema ultimately jn the end is worse my lymph nodes were damaged or something triggered it in my abdomen- as it’s very very uncomfortable to have abdominal lymphedema - and I believe the surgery into my abdomen created that.

Jenny113 profile image
Jenny113 in reply toSnobie

thank you for sharing. That is my worry that it will trigger more. I’m sorry it didn’t help you.

Snobie profile image
Snobie

do not let anyone tell you it won’t

Hi Jenny, I don’t have Lymphedema but I did have a Gastric Bypass 10 years ago and I gained half the weight back. The problem with surgery is it doesn’t change the reasons why we over eat. I think many people gain back the weight eventually. I was lucky not to have any complications from the surgery but I know some people wind up with a variety of issues from severe infection to loose hanging skin that has to be surgically removed and is not covered by insurance. I don’t regret getting the surgery. My personal opinion on your situation is if your health care providers think it could help you and you feel that you want it, you should do it.

BedfordBoy profile image
BedfordBoy

Hi there Haggi, I'm pleased it worked out well for you. It sounds similar to the Atkins diet. He used to say that sugar or anything that can convert to sugar was the enemy too. At the time everybody in the diet industry said that he was a krank, but it seems that he was really on the right path all along. I will check the Aussie out, thank you.

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