Lymphedema Surgery - What You Need to Know Before You Go Under the Knife

Though it is not popular in the U.S., lymphedema surgery is being tested as a treatment for lymphedema Asia and Europe. Surgery is a fairly recent option for the effects of lymphedema, and it's still being tested to find a cure for the problems associated with this condition. Though surgical methods have not been widely adopted in the U.S., there are new procedures that are less invasive and gaining in popularity among doctors. Ablative procedures, also called debulking, and lymphaticovenular bypass are the two main types of procedures being tested to find a quick, long-term solution to the symptoms of lymphedema.

Lymphaticovenular bypass is being tested as a solution for lymphedema, specifically among breast cancer patients. This procedure places a few incisions in the affected arm to redirect fluid away from the damaged lymph vessels. A couple of microsurgical tools redirect the vessels in the affected area in order to prevent the buildup of the lymph fluids. The procedure does not last very long, and usually the patient can be released from the hospital within a day of the surgery.

Though this lymphedema surgery is effective within a few months after it's complete, the patient is still required or encouraged to continue the use of compression bandages as an additional method of treating the lymphedema.

And although this procedure is beginning to show that is effective at reducing swelling and the collection of fluids over periods longer than 1 year, it does not cure the causes of lymphedema. It is only a way to reduce the swelling and weight. Continued use of compression and massage are still needed. There are no surgical or medical treatments available yet that will cure the root causes of swelling, which is why these methods of controlling the symptoms are not readily endorsed or practiced yet in the United States.

The second type of surgery mentioned in connection with treating lyphedema is called debulking. Debulking is fairly controversial surgery, and a rarely used one, because of the damage it can do to the tissues. It is one of the oldest types of lymphedema surgery, and is not without its own set of complications. Debulking involves opening up the affected areas and removing the engorged tissues. There can be a few problems that develop during this procedure. In certain instances, it can cause paralysis of the affected limbs.

The risks associated with this second type of lymphedema surgery are the main reason why it's not commonly used anymore. But, with the development and testing of Lymphaticovenular bypass, new procedures are coming out that suggest doctors and surgeons are getting closer to a cure for the symptoms of lymphedema. However, with all the progress that's being made to help the symptoms subside, little progress is being made in curing the causes of lymphedema.

Clothing For Breast Cancer Survivors With Lymphedema

At age 43 I underwent a lumpectomy and radiation for treatment of my breast cancer. After recovery I found that knitted and spandex tops did not lie as well on my chest. Nor did swimsuits. They accented the asymmetry of my busts. When I developed lymphedema in my left arm, stretchy apparel looked worse due to my swollen arm. In addition to sweaters I shunned garments with deeper necklines and shallow armholes. Further, since I couldn't lift anything heavy with my left arm, I was limited in how I could tote bags with shoulder straps.

All these limitations made me feel like a fashion flop.

When I had a recurrence, I opted for a double mastectomy without reconstruction. I use prostheses for both breasts, making asymmetry less of a challenge. Still I have remained self-conscious of my appearance, wanting to disguise my new-normal body with something at least halfway attractive.

Solutions to these problems do exist. I'm not referring to pink-hued or pink-ribbon-adorned attire to promote breast cancer awareness, although wearing these items is a wonderful way to express support for a loved one afflicted with cancer. Rather I'm referring to practical, stylish clothing that disguises flaws and emphasizes the good features of a breast cancer survivor's figure, while not appearing to be designed for medical purposes.

Swimwear is one such example. I'm a big proponent of mastectomy bathing suits, since swimming is such a great exercise, and more importantly, I love to get in the water. The swimsuits I've seen with pockets for prostheses are both functional and fashionable these days. According to some experts, the most contemporary--albeit more expensive-mastectomy swimsuit styling comes from a line called Anita. Another brand, Amoena, offers a large selection of elegant beachwear to flatter any figure. Other lines of mastectomy bathing suits and caftans include It Figures, T.H.E. and Gottex.

According to WebMD's Breast Cancer Guide, the most popular swimsuit style for women who've undergone a mastectomy is the tankini, a two-piece suit that completely covers the torso. These come in a variety of designs, including a blouson top. I can attest to the practicality and versatility of this type of beachwear.

For arm lymphedema, compression braces have come a long way. Fashionable yet medically functional garments are offered by such innovators as Lymphedivas LLC and Slice of Fashion LLC. There's nothing like a black lacy gauntlet or zebra-zag armsleeve to turn heads and stop conversation at a cocktail party.

At least one company has developed apparel designed specifically for breast cancer survivors with lymphedema. Sansu Function Designs for Living, established through collaboration between Princess Margaret Hospital and Ryerson University School of Fashion in Toronto, Canada, provides an array of innovative products.

One of Sansu's most noted items is a modular bag with a belt to enable the wearer to hold her arm comfortably in a sling design or use the bag as a stylish waist pack. After I had lymphedema, I went back to using my "fanny packs." Even though out of style, they were extremely practical for my active lifestyle. This trendy Sansu bag would never be a fashion faux pas.

Sansu also developed a carry-all coat with dropped shoulders and removable lining, a fleece scarf cape, a dolman-style knitted top with kangaroo pocket for resting the arms or carrying items, and an oxford blouse with dropped shoulders, loose cuffs and magnetic button closures. This company is currently designing patterns to allow seamstresses to make their own clothing for patients with upper body and arm lymphedema.

I am encouraged by how far companies have come in making breast cancer survivors with lymphedema feel less conspicuous in their clothing and more confident in their appearance. While attractiveness may not be every survivor's focus, the availability of chic attire goes a long way to help many survivors, especially younger women, recover emotionally and psychosocially from their cancer treatments. I challenge more in the garment industry to be avant-garde in their approach to this subpopulation of women who love donning trendy outfits. Can athletic garb geared for the cancer survivor with lymphedema be far behind?

How to Cure or Alleviate Edema, Including Lymphedema

By edema excessive fluid gather in body parts or greater areas of the body, making the areas swollen. Edema is most often a problem in the legs, but can occur anywhere in the body.

There are several types of edema, and many cases are also a mixture of more than one type. By lymphedema the drainage from the tissues through the lymph vessels are impaired or excessive fluid goes through the blood capillary walls into the spaces between the cells in a tissue. Edema can also occur because of poor drainage of blood through the veins towards the heart. Edema can further be caused by general accumulation of excessive fluid in the body.

The causes of edema are many. Edema is a symptom by most inflammations. Insufficient heart action by congestive heart failure can cause edema. A too high intake of salt can cause general water retention in the body. Sitting and standing long in the same position can cause edema in the lower limbs. A still sitting life without exercise can cause or aggravate edema.

Insufficiencies of the liver or kidneys can cause fluid retention and thereby edema. Edema can be a side effect of antihypertensive drugs, steroids surgery and radiation therapy. Further causes of different types of edema are varicose veins, cancer, hypothyroidism, blood clots, constipation and physical injuries.

To treat edema, it is important to treat the underlying disease or injury. However, medical treatment does not always cure the underlying condition or the cause is wholly or partially lifestyle aspects. Therefore various measures targeted directly against the edema are useful. These are presented here:

Pharmacological treatments: The physician will sometimes prescribe diuretics to reduce fluid retention in the body and thereby reduce edema. This treatment should however be used for serious edema or edema persistent when other measures do not work.

Salt intake restriction: Restriction of salt intake is an important measure by edema. People suffering from edema should avoid adding great amount of salt into their food or consume preprocessed food with a salty taste.

Diet: A good general diet that alleviates chronic inflammation is useful. The diet should especially contain enough sources of omega-3-fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids, like: Fat fish, seafood, flax oil, olive oil, almonds, rape oil and canola oil. Also vegetables and fruit in a natural shape are useful.

Avoiding constipation: Constipation should be treated, since a stomach engorged by excessive content can cause impairment of fluid circulation.

Variation of corporeal position: You should avoid sitting or standing still a long time during the day. When sitting during work or rest, you should change position with regular intervals.

Exercise: Every day you should have some exercise adjusted to your health condition. This could be walking, cycling, swimming, running or any other sport activity where you use greater parts of your body. Doing regular stretching exercises or yoga is useful. By severe edema special therapeutic exercises should be prescribed by a professional.

High position of limb: When you are sleeping or resting the swollen body parts can be placed in an elevated position by means of pillows, pads or by resting in an adjustable bed or chair.

Massage: By minor edema yourself, your spouse or a friend can massage the affected body part to alleviate the edema. The massage should be done in the direction of natural flow of blood and lymph that is towards the heart. You should however avoid massaging distinctly injured or distinctly inflamed body parts. By severe edema a professional massager should be engaged to perform the massage type called "manual lymphatic drainage".

Elastic bandaging: You can use elastic gloves, stockings, tapes or bandages around the swollen body parts during the day or during physical activities after instruction from a professional person.

Inflatable garments: There are inflatable garments to be found that can be used around the engorged body parts some times of the day. Also these should be used after professional instruction.

Sequential gradient pump therapy: One can get special electric pumps connected to inflatable garments. The pump inflates and deflates the garments repeatedly. Each garment has several rooms that are inflated sequentially in the direction of the natural fluid stream towards the heart. In this way the fluid is dynamically pumped the right way out of the engorged body part. This type of therapy is used in professional settings or at home after instruction from a professional.

Skin care: The skin on a body part affected by severe edema should attain special care to avoid and treat sores. Proper cleaning, daily use of moisturizing creams, proper rinsing of skin injuries, antiseptic creams by injuries.

Complete decongestive therapy: This is a complete set of edema treatment techniques done by a professional person combined with self-care instructed by the professional. The techniques used are: Manual lymphatic drainage, compression bandaging, therapeutic exercise and skin care.

Herbal and natural products: Many herbs and products composed of a blending of these herbs are used against edema. Such herbs are: Dandelion, Gingko biloba, horse chestnut, buchu, goldenrod, corn silk, horsetail, juniper, butchers broom, cleaver and ginger. Some people have experienced a good effect from using apple cider vinegar.

The flavonide rich product pycnognenol extracted from the bark of the French maritime pine has shown promising effects against edema according to scientific studies. The flavonides hydroxyethylrutosides also seem to have good effect against edema. Other natural substances that may help to treat edema are the flavonids diosmin and hesperidin and vitamin C.

OIL PULLING: The procedure called "oil pulling" may help for edema. It consists of rinsing the mouth with one tablespoon of natural oil for 15-20 minutes and then spitting the oil out. It is done in the morning before eating. Sesame or sunflower oils are usually recommended for this use.

Lymphedema Armsleeves - Fashionable Relief From Painful Arm Swelling

Lymphedema is a condition that causes the soft tissues of the body to retain fluid. Any area of the human body can be affected, but the typical areas of swelling are in the arms and legs. Although this condition isn't life threatening, there can be a great deal of discomfort involved. Limbs and extremities can become painfully bloated and sore.

Who Is At Risk For Lymphedema?

There are several factors that can contribute to this ailment. Any medical procedure that cuts into or near the glands of the lymphatic system can damage lymph gland function. Women who undergo breast cancer surgery can be at risk as well as those patients with heart problems and circulatory issues. Genetics can also play a part. Some people are simply predisposed to fluid buildup in their bodily tissues.

Living with Lymphedema

Dealing with an arm, leg or foot that has ballooned to twice its normal size can be extremely difficult. The skin becomes tender to the touch and can actually split open. Open wounds can lead to infection and put a person in grave danger of contracting gangrene. Just moving from place to place can be a huge challenge. Affected limbs can become as hard as a rock, making simple movement almost impossible. There are special lymphedema bandages available for these wounds.

People who suffer from these symptoms have difficulty getting dressed. Sleeves, pants legs and socks have to be cut to allow for the bigger limb. Shoes sometimes have to be special ordered for puffed-up feet. In many cases, puffiness can be relieved with a diuretic medication and exercise. The diuretic increases kidney function and allows the body to get rid of excess liquid. In other cases, a person may need to use a specially designed sleeve to decrease retention.

Lymphedema Armsleeves

The medical profession has invented special sleeves for arm swelling made out of the same type of materials as compression stocking edema treatment uses the gentle compression of the stretchy fabric to increase body heat to the capillaries. This brings improved circulation and reduced swelling. The amount of time a person would need to wear their sleeve will depend on the advice of their treating physician. Typically, they are worn every day until the symptoms are under control.

Armsleeves are made of woven mesh fabric that can be washed either by hand or in the machine using a mild detergent without bleach. They can be hung to dry or put in the dryer on the delicate heat cycle. With care, they should keep their compression qualities for 6 months.