Bandaging - has anyone had good results?

[Keb22]

hi, I am in the first week of three of full left leg bandaging, has it worked for anyone and do any results last? I know my lymphoedema swelling is mainly fatty tissue now so not sure what to expect, at the minute the bandage looks as it has a few ridges, undulating, I have had it refreshed once and second time will be tomorrow, given that this is such a commitment to go through to get it done, not able to drive, and having to wear a soft Velcro shoe to get around, I do hope it there will be some benefit 🙏

[AnneBury]

I had both legs bandaged in the late 1980s. I lost nearly 2 litres of fluid between the 2 legs and (so far) it has never come back. It didn't get rid of all my lymphoedema, but a great success. I remember the nurse saying she wished she'd taken 'before' photos as there was such a visible difference - and we had no idea how long it would last! I wear below knee made to measure class 3 and made to measure toe stockings. Having said that for years after the bandaging my compression were much more basic and I was a bit hit and miss when it came to wearing them. I have got more conscientious as I have got older. Good luck, the results are different for everyone but I am a real success story.

[Keb22 in reply to AnneBury]

Good to hear a success story, thank you for responding.

[caroline111]

I had compression bandaging for a month last August on my right leg top to toe. I'm sorry to say I got no benefit from it at all. There was no reduction in the size of my leg which at that point was 25% bigger than the left. Afterwards the nurse said it was probably because the swelling had turned to fat. It was very hot and uncomfortable for a month and also costly to the NHS in terms of time. It would have been more beneficial all round had the leg been scanned beforehand and then they would have realised that the leg was mainly fat rather than fluid. Having said that, maybe there are different types of fat (?) and other people may still benefit from it even if it’s not fluid?

[Keb22 in reply to caroline111]

Hi Caroline111, I think I am the same as you, I was measured on Friday and my leg is bandaged hip to toe and it had only gone down 4% after 3 weeks, I am still bandaged at the moment as my class 3 stocking hasn’t arrived, I had given them my MRI from OLP showing it was mainly fat at the top of my leg but they still did it anyway as there was a little bit of pitting on my lower leg but that doesn’t seem to have gone down, my leg is 37% bigger than the other so quite a bit more than you, not sure what the next steps are apart from class 3 as OLP wouldn’t do liposuction just yet as I think they need the fluid down. How are you getting on after your surgery? Karen

[caroline111]

Going slowly…having to keep reminding myself I’m only two months into a 12-month process. Tights plus stockings on a hot day is a bit much but it is a relief to have my right leg looking a normal size again! Took me longer that I thought it would to feel better after the op, felt really tired for weeks but OK now. Hopefully, the fluid will have gone and you can have the liposuction? If you go ahead, message me again as there may be things you want to know? 😀