Lower Leg Lymphedema

I have lover leg (calf) lymphedema since 1986 from a bothed operation. Will Having WLS lep that out? I assume that losing 100 lbs will, but are there any stories out there of it getting a ton better?

I have had WLS and it did not help me one bit...in fact, I just got out of the hospital due to cellulitis infection in my lower right leg. My lymphedema acted as an incubator and I came close to losing my leg.

Have you seen a vascular specialist? Have they tried wraps or deep tissue massage? Ask your doctor about it. Up here in Glens Falls NY and in Albany there is a Vascular group and they are going to try doing something to help. I am praying to get to where I can wear stockings.


AGAIN...having WLS is different for everyone...so it MAY help you....any weight lost ultimately helps our lower legs right? not as much weight to bear....

good luck.

Yeah I've seen the specialists, and have tried everything, not the muscle massages, but everything else. Nothing helps.

So your VSG probably didn't work nbecause the day after your surgury you were on Lake George tied up and partying down. Just kidding. I've spent a good amount of time in that area. Its great up there.

I think it really depends on what's caused/is causing the Lymphedema.  In my case (I have bilateral lower extremity lymphedema), it's due to venous insufficiency (ie: my legs got too fat for the Lymph system to carry all that fluid around).

Now that I'm down 70+lbs, I do still have the edema, but it is nowhere near as bad as it was (my feet/legs used to swell to quite a size in 5 mins flat - now it takes over an hour, and they still don't swell to the point of being painful like they used to).  I was 335lbs at my highest.

That said, I'm making sure that I'm compliant with the treatment protocal as much as possible - I still use compression wraps - the results above are just from 'testing' to see if it's gotten better.  I'm told it will never be 'cured' - but it should get much, much better.

I'm not sure what you're doing on a regular basis - but I did outpatient lymphedema therapy, including bandaging to get the swelling down, ensure there was no cellulitis etc and manual lymph drainage.  It really did help.  I also wear these www.circaid.com/Pages/Products/readyfit.html  every day.  I got them a) because they were a hell of a lot cheaper than custom made compression garments (about $150 per leg) and b) they're adjustable, so as I lose weight I can still use them.  I'm at the point of needing a new pair though since they can't be adjusted down any further.

I hope that once I get to goal I'll be able to have regular, light compression socks/stockings.

hey, Congrats on the success! Jamie, over on the NY board always says "it is a personal journey"

I have lower calf lymphadema as well.  I've been dealing with it for the past 6 years.  It is the most annoying thing I have ever dealth with.  I am really hoping that my surgery will help with this.  The worst part is the pain.  Also it is the pain the ass to have to wrap it all the time.  I've been using the wrap found at this link for the past year or so and it is really nice. http://www.bandagesupply.com/store/product.php?productid=16393&cat=395&page=1  I has worn out though and I need a new one badly.  The velcro is very strong at first but has worn out and it have to re-adjust it several times a day now. 

I have lost quite a bit of weight on my own and the condition has gotten better.  However, as I lose weight, it gets better.  But when I start maintaining a weight, the swelling really comes back.  I will keep you all updated on how my lymphadema does after the surgery.

I've been dealing with my leg problem since 1986 and at this point I wish they would just cut my leg off if that would solve the problem. But I think in the past 2-3 years the problem has krept up to my thigh.

Hi there young man ,are your eyes blue ? there so pretty .good luck on your journey .Red in TX .

Hello Red in TX.

I see that you lost 400+ , I am interested in how.
My husband is a 400+ man and I am concerned about his health!!!!
He is only 33yrs old and I am older than him.  But I don't know how to
help him.  Can you give me some direction?

Thank You.    Sheri

I have lost over 200# and although the legs are less than they were, the lymphedema does not go away.  There are times when the swelling is so bad, I feel as though I am still carrying that extra 200#.  When the swelling starts up the scale goes up as much as 25#.  It comes back down again after much aggravation and heartache.  I will never reach my goal weight due to the edemia.  But I am much more acceptable to society in my smaller body regardless of my leg size.