Five weeks after surgery

I had groin node resection a few years ago. It seemed as if the drains would NEVER stop draining,ha! Eventually, my plastic surgeon deemed that the one drain was beginning to drain lymph fluid and therefore he felt comforatble to pull it before the drainage subsided to the 10-15 cc mark.( and that worked just fine) As soon as I was recovered enough, I asked for a rx for support hose. which my plastic surgeon granted. I am very glad I did that. I wore the full hose to try to keep from developing lymphedema… I began to have some swelling and we increased the support strength. Earlier this yr I developed lymphedema that required physical therapy and a compression garment, but it is still manageable. I would suggest being proactive about it, though, because atleast in my case, I was not given much in the way of instruction to prevent it. I took a while to recover from the surgery initially, but my leg was quite well after fulll recovery. Even went snow skiing for the first time with our 2 youngest daughters! I stunk at it, but we had fun : )

Wishing you a full and speedy recovery!!

Tina

I had groin node resection a few years ago. It seemed as if the drains would NEVER stop draining,ha! Eventually, my plastic surgeon deemed that the one drain was beginning to drain lymph fluid and therefore he felt comforatble to pull it before the drainage subsided to the 10-15 cc mark.( and that worked just fine) As soon as I was recovered enough, I asked for a rx for support hose. which my plastic surgeon granted. I am very glad I did that. I wore the full hose to try to keep from developing lymphedema… I began to have some swelling and we increased the support strength. Earlier this yr I developed lymphedema that required physical therapy and a compression garment, but it is still manageable. I would suggest being proactive about it, though, because atleast in my case, I was not given much in the way of instruction to prevent it. I took a while to recover from the surgery initially, but my leg was quite well after fulll recovery. Even went snow skiing for the first time with our 2 youngest daughters! I stunk at it, but we had fun : )

Wishing you a full and speedy recovery!!

Tina

I had groin node resection a few years ago. It seemed as if the drains would NEVER stop draining,ha! Eventually, my plastic surgeon deemed that the one drain was beginning to drain lymph fluid and therefore he felt comforatble to pull it before the drainage subsided to the 10-15 cc mark.( and that worked just fine) As soon as I was recovered enough, I asked for a rx for support hose. which my plastic surgeon granted. I am very glad I did that. I wore the full hose to try to keep from developing lymphedema… I began to have some swelling and we increased the support strength. Earlier this yr I developed lymphedema that required physical therapy and a compression garment, but it is still manageable. I would suggest being proactive about it, though, because atleast in my case, I was not given much in the way of instruction to prevent it. I took a while to recover from the surgery initially, but my leg was quite well after fulll recovery. Even went snow skiing for the first time with our 2 youngest daughters! I stunk at it, but we had fun : )

Wishing you a full and speedy recovery!!

Tina

I had 37 nodes removed in my rt groin, leg, and abdomen in April 2010 and I did radiation after due to so many nodes being positive. I have lived with lymphadema ever since. My surgeon even moved a muscle in my leg and I had to learn to walk again. It is rough stuff – you are right.

Not everyone gets lymphadema, but it can start at any time – even years later, so educate yourself. I have a friend, similar surgery, we wear the same compression stockings on the same leg, she is a 42 year survivor of Mel with 11 grandkids. No recurrances. Wishing the same for you!!

I had 37 nodes removed in my rt groin, leg, and abdomen in April 2010 and I did radiation after due to so many nodes being positive. I have lived with lymphadema ever since. My surgeon even moved a muscle in my leg and I had to learn to walk again. It is rough stuff – you are right.

Not everyone gets lymphadema, but it can start at any time – even years later, so educate yourself. I have a friend, similar surgery, we wear the same compression stockings on the same leg, she is a 42 year survivor of Mel with 11 grandkids. No recurrances. Wishing the same for you!!

I had 37 nodes removed in my rt groin, leg, and abdomen in April 2010 and I did radiation after due to so many nodes being positive. I have lived with lymphadema ever since. My surgeon even moved a muscle in my leg and I had to learn to walk again. It is rough stuff – you are right.

Not everyone gets lymphadema, but it can start at any time – even years later, so educate yourself. I have a friend, similar surgery, we wear the same compression stockings on the same leg, she is a 42 year survivor of Mel with 11 grandkids. No recurrances. Wishing the same for you!!

If relocation of the muscle wasrequired onee is more apt to get serious lymphedema.  Do keep the leg elevated s much as possible, but do use it.  The muscles are the "pump" that moves the lymph fluid.  if the muscles are not useds the fluid will just pool.  If used, but not overddone, the action may help the lymph fluid develop a new path.  I was lucky that my surgeon closely followed my melnoma lymph nodes and did not have to do the flap.  My first drin was removed after a couple of weeks.  The second drain was still flowing at up to 400 ml a day for most of two months (Wonder if this had anything to do with a stepson and I building a deck during the second month?) 
I slept with my leg elevated for over three years.   I also did my own version of massage.  Whatever the reason, I have not had a problem with lympedema since the second drain was removed 5 years ago.  Good luck.

If relocation of the muscle wasrequired onee is more apt to get serious lymphedema.  Do keep the leg elevated s much as possible, but do use it.  The muscles are the "pump" that moves the lymph fluid.  if the muscles are not useds the fluid will just pool.  If used, but not overddone, the action may help the lymph fluid develop a new path.  I was lucky that my surgeon closely followed my melnoma lymph nodes and did not have to do the flap.  My first drin was removed after a couple of weeks.  The second drain was still flowing at up to 400 ml a day for most of two months (Wonder if this had anything to do with a stepson and I building a deck during the second month?) 
I slept with my leg elevated for over three years.   I also did my own version of massage.  Whatever the reason, I have not had a problem with lympedema since the second drain was removed 5 years ago.  Good luck.

If relocation of the muscle wasrequired onee is more apt to get serious lymphedema.  Do keep the leg elevated s much as possible, but do use it.  The muscles are the "pump" that moves the lymph fluid.  if the muscles are not useds the fluid will just pool.  If used, but not overddone, the action may help the lymph fluid develop a new path.  I was lucky that my surgeon closely followed my melnoma lymph nodes and did not have to do the flap.  My first drin was removed after a couple of weeks.  The second drain was still flowing at up to 400 ml a day for most of two months (Wonder if this had anything to do with a stepson and I building a deck during the second month?) 
I slept with my leg elevated for over three years.   I also did my own version of massage.  Whatever the reason, I have not had a problem with lympedema since the second drain was removed 5 years ago.  Good luck.