Lymphadema after lymph node disection.

Sorry to hear about your problems.  

First, I'm located in the US, so YMMV.  There isn't much a surgeon can do (that I know of), but they may know good specialists.

As to what to do, your doc should be able to recommend a lymphedema specialist – they are similar to physical therapists in many ways (some are also PTs, so that helps).  I would definitely try to get someone who is certified in some fashion to respond to lymphedema – it's a system that is foreign to many doctors.  If your doc brushes you off, find someone who can get you to the right place.  Good oncologists/surgeons will know good PTs.  If they can't find someone, go look on your own for a lymphedema specialist – again, be sure to find someone with knowledge of this particular ailment.

Once there, you will likely begin some therapy.  I also had groin surgery and developed lymphedema in my left leg (left groin surgery).  Most of it focused on my thigh to foot, but some other issues.  Truck related lymphedema is a bit harder to treat, but good therapists will have good ideas.

You will begin with various massages to get the other nodes moving to process the fluid.  You will also begin wrapping your leg to force the fluid up into the rest of your body (you may wrap other parts as well).  This will begin to aleviate much of the swelling.  This intensive therapy can be several times a week – massages and rewrapping). You will also learn to wrap on your own, which is most effective in bringing the swelling down.  Once back to a good base level, you will measure for and ultimately receive garments – this can take a few weeks.  

There is no cure or fix for lymphedema, but early and good management can make it's affect nominal.  Good luck!

Sorry to hear about your problems.  

First, I'm located in the US, so YMMV.  There isn't much a surgeon can do (that I know of), but they may know good specialists.

As to what to do, your doc should be able to recommend a lymphedema specialist – they are similar to physical therapists in many ways (some are also PTs, so that helps).  I would definitely try to get someone who is certified in some fashion to respond to lymphedema – it's a system that is foreign to many doctors.  If your doc brushes you off, find someone who can get you to the right place.  Good oncologists/surgeons will know good PTs.  If they can't find someone, go look on your own for a lymphedema specialist – again, be sure to find someone with knowledge of this particular ailment.

Once there, you will likely begin some therapy.  I also had groin surgery and developed lymphedema in my left leg (left groin surgery).  Most of it focused on my thigh to foot, but some other issues.  Truck related lymphedema is a bit harder to treat, but good therapists will have good ideas.

You will begin with various massages to get the other nodes moving to process the fluid.  You will also begin wrapping your leg to force the fluid up into the rest of your body (you may wrap other parts as well).  This will begin to aleviate much of the swelling.  This intensive therapy can be several times a week – massages and rewrapping). You will also learn to wrap on your own, which is most effective in bringing the swelling down.  Once back to a good base level, you will measure for and ultimately receive garments – this can take a few weeks.  

There is no cure or fix for lymphedema, but early and good management can make it's affect nominal.  Good luck!

Sorry to hear about your problems.  

First, I'm located in the US, so YMMV.  There isn't much a surgeon can do (that I know of), but they may know good specialists.

As to what to do, your doc should be able to recommend a lymphedema specialist – they are similar to physical therapists in many ways (some are also PTs, so that helps).  I would definitely try to get someone who is certified in some fashion to respond to lymphedema – it's a system that is foreign to many doctors.  If your doc brushes you off, find someone who can get you to the right place.  Good oncologists/surgeons will know good PTs.  If they can't find someone, go look on your own for a lymphedema specialist – again, be sure to find someone with knowledge of this particular ailment.

Once there, you will likely begin some therapy.  I also had groin surgery and developed lymphedema in my left leg (left groin surgery).  Most of it focused on my thigh to foot, but some other issues.  Truck related lymphedema is a bit harder to treat, but good therapists will have good ideas.

You will begin with various massages to get the other nodes moving to process the fluid.  You will also begin wrapping your leg to force the fluid up into the rest of your body (you may wrap other parts as well).  This will begin to aleviate much of the swelling.  This intensive therapy can be several times a week – massages and rewrapping). You will also learn to wrap on your own, which is most effective in bringing the swelling down.  Once back to a good base level, you will measure for and ultimately receive garments – this can take a few weeks.  

There is no cure or fix for lymphedema, but early and good management can make it's affect nominal.  Good luck!

If you just had the dissection on Monday you should call your surgeon.  You should have drains in and they might be plugged or something.  In 4 days after surgery they will not work on lymphedema yet and you can't wear a compression stocking yet.  You need time to heal.

If you just had the dissection on Monday you should call your surgeon.  You should have drains in and they might be plugged or something.  In 4 days after surgery they will not work on lymphedema yet and you can't wear a compression stocking yet.  You need time to heal.

If you just had the dissection on Monday you should call your surgeon.  You should have drains in and they might be plugged or something.  In 4 days after surgery they will not work on lymphedema yet and you can't wear a compression stocking yet.  You need time to heal.

Call your surgeon. The swelling could very well be related to the surgery itself. It's possible you may need another drain. It's normal to experience some swelling after surgery. But I wouldn't hesitate to call the surgeon because that's a very sensitive area. 

As far as compression garments go, it's best to wait until you've healed from your surgery. Then you can discuss with a physical therapist who specializes in lymphedema what you can do to be proactive about keeping swelling down. If you travel by air, you will need one for the leg on the side of the body from where the groin nodes were removed.

Call your surgeon. The swelling could very well be related to the surgery itself. It's possible you may need another drain. It's normal to experience some swelling after surgery. But I wouldn't hesitate to call the surgeon because that's a very sensitive area. 

As far as compression garments go, it's best to wait until you've healed from your surgery. Then you can discuss with a physical therapist who specializes in lymphedema what you can do to be proactive about keeping swelling down. If you travel by air, you will need one for the leg on the side of the body from where the groin nodes were removed.

Call your surgeon. The swelling could very well be related to the surgery itself. It's possible you may need another drain. It's normal to experience some swelling after surgery. But I wouldn't hesitate to call the surgeon because that's a very sensitive area. 

As far as compression garments go, it's best to wait until you've healed from your surgery. Then you can discuss with a physical therapist who specializes in lymphedema what you can do to be proactive about keeping swelling down. If you travel by air, you will need one for the leg on the side of the body from where the groin nodes were removed.

I agree with those that have advised you already.  If your sugery was only 4 days ago, it is too soon to tell whether or not you will develop lymphedema.  However, seromas after lymphatic surgeries are very common…that is why a drain if often placed and left in for a week or so in order to drain the fluid collection that is expected.  Sometimes, if there is no drian, or the drain is removed too quickly, the fluid that collects must be drained by the surgeon in order for healing to the site to ocurr completely.  Call your doc!  I wish you well.  celeste

I agree with those that have advised you already.  If your sugery was only 4 days ago, it is too soon to tell whether or not you will develop lymphedema.  However, seromas after lymphatic surgeries are very common…that is why a drain if often placed and left in for a week or so in order to drain the fluid collection that is expected.  Sometimes, if there is no drian, or the drain is removed too quickly, the fluid that collects must be drained by the surgeon in order for healing to the site to ocurr completely.  Call your doc!  I wish you well.  celeste

I agree with those that have advised you already.  If your sugery was only 4 days ago, it is too soon to tell whether or not you will develop lymphedema.  However, seromas after lymphatic surgeries are very common…that is why a drain if often placed and left in for a week or so in order to drain the fluid collection that is expected.  Sometimes, if there is no drian, or the drain is removed too quickly, the fluid that collects must be drained by the surgeon in order for healing to the site to ocurr completely.  Call your doc!  I wish you well.  celeste

Hi,  Sorry to hear you are having problems with swelling. My experience at the early stages post dissection of groin – inguinal and pelvic node- was that  I only developed significant swelling when the drains were removed. I had a big seroma /lymphocele develop in the vacant space under the scar. It was pretty big and the first time it was drained in the clinic they took off over 1 litre of fluid.so if i say it was roughly the size of a melon- you get the idea. Not pretty at all and it  made it difficult to sit and drive as the lump on my thigh was in the way.

Most surgeons seem reluctant to drain – due to the risk of introducing infection- and in the end if it is lymph that keeps filling the void- it does need to find alternative pathways.  In my case the seroma was drained several times but in the end the surgeon advised to use cycling type shorts to achieve compression- or spanx type shorts- and in order to achieve higher pressure on the area that needed it most to use foam pads, small towels or similar. The objective seemed to be to provide higher pressure on the swelling so that no more fluid entered the space and it would find an alternative pathway.  In the end it went hard and flatter under the scar- and a subsequent CT scan revealed that it had probably become a haematoma- which my body is slowly resolving. Its 7months down the line from surgery and the contours are much better and the area that was hard is much diminished.

In your case with swelling in a most sensitive spot, I would avoid using thigh high lymphoedema stockings as the increased pressure from the stockings might  encorage the lymph to collect in the "dead space" under the scar/scrotum. I would make sure your surgeon knows what is going on- as he will want to keep an eye on things,as it it still early days and important to try to avoid infection as much as possible. 

Cross my fingers that this is post op swelling not yet lymphoedema and that you heal really quickly- 

PS swelling in the scrotum seems to happen commonly post hernia repair- there might be some helpful tips from others that have had this problem ?

All the best,

Deb

Hi,  Sorry to hear you are having problems with swelling. My experience at the early stages post dissection of groin – inguinal and pelvic node- was that  I only developed significant swelling when the drains were removed. I had a big seroma /lymphocele develop in the vacant space under the scar. It was pretty big and the first time it was drained in the clinic they took off over 1 litre of fluid.so if i say it was roughly the size of a melon- you get the idea. Not pretty at all and it  made it difficult to sit and drive as the lump on my thigh was in the way.

Most surgeons seem reluctant to drain – due to the risk of introducing infection- and in the end if it is lymph that keeps filling the void- it does need to find alternative pathways.  In my case the seroma was drained several times but in the end the surgeon advised to use cycling type shorts to achieve compression- or spanx type shorts- and in order to achieve higher pressure on the area that needed it most to use foam pads, small towels or similar. The objective seemed to be to provide higher pressure on the swelling so that no more fluid entered the space and it would find an alternative pathway.  In the end it went hard and flatter under the scar- and a subsequent CT scan revealed that it had probably become a haematoma- which my body is slowly resolving. Its 7months down the line from surgery and the contours are much better and the area that was hard is much diminished.

In your case with swelling in a most sensitive spot, I would avoid using thigh high lymphoedema stockings as the increased pressure from the stockings might  encorage the lymph to collect in the "dead space" under the scar/scrotum. I would make sure your surgeon knows what is going on- as he will want to keep an eye on things,as it it still early days and important to try to avoid infection as much as possible. 

Cross my fingers that this is post op swelling not yet lymphoedema and that you heal really quickly- 

PS swelling in the scrotum seems to happen commonly post hernia repair- there might be some helpful tips from others that have had this problem ?

All the best,

Deb

Hi,  Sorry to hear you are having problems with swelling. My experience at the early stages post dissection of groin – inguinal and pelvic node- was that  I only developed significant swelling when the drains were removed. I had a big seroma /lymphocele develop in the vacant space under the scar. It was pretty big and the first time it was drained in the clinic they took off over 1 litre of fluid.so if i say it was roughly the size of a melon- you get the idea. Not pretty at all and it  made it difficult to sit and drive as the lump on my thigh was in the way.

Most surgeons seem reluctant to drain – due to the risk of introducing infection- and in the end if it is lymph that keeps filling the void- it does need to find alternative pathways.  In my case the seroma was drained several times but in the end the surgeon advised to use cycling type shorts to achieve compression- or spanx type shorts- and in order to achieve higher pressure on the area that needed it most to use foam pads, small towels or similar. The objective seemed to be to provide higher pressure on the swelling so that no more fluid entered the space and it would find an alternative pathway.  In the end it went hard and flatter under the scar- and a subsequent CT scan revealed that it had probably become a haematoma- which my body is slowly resolving. Its 7months down the line from surgery and the contours are much better and the area that was hard is much diminished.

In your case with swelling in a most sensitive spot, I would avoid using thigh high lymphoedema stockings as the increased pressure from the stockings might  encorage the lymph to collect in the "dead space" under the scar/scrotum. I would make sure your surgeon knows what is going on- as he will want to keep an eye on things,as it it still early days and important to try to avoid infection as much as possible. 

Cross my fingers that this is post op swelling not yet lymphoedema and that you heal really quickly- 

PS swelling in the scrotum seems to happen commonly post hernia repair- there might be some helpful tips from others that have had this problem ?

All the best,

Deb