Following the surgery my leg rapidly reduced to only 2-3cm and 14% excess when I was next measured for compression garments. At first I was amazed by the results. However, being completely real, over time, the swelling in my leg has relapsed. A year after surgery, my compressions were measured at 20% excess. 2 years after surgery, my compressions were measured at 24-27% excess. Now at the 5 year mark, I am back to 30%.
Pros to surgery:
- the scarring is very minimal and barely visible to see now and they healed very pain free and easily
- the swelling in my leg drains much quicker and more effectively (usually overnight) than it use to
- the initial decline in swelling relieved a lot of pressure and weight on the joints and skin of my leg
- a very easy and stress free process
- had I not done the surgery, my leg, over the last 4 years, could have gotten worse and worse and exceeded even my average 30% excess rather than staying at 30% now
- getting the surgery made me feel I was actively doing some thing about my Lymphoedema rather than staying placid and being left with the 'what if'
Cons :
- I still have to wear compression Class 3 stockings everyday along with all other self management tactics prior to surgery
- even SLD/MLD after the surgery hasn’t been effective
- many symptoms of Lymphoedema which were present before continue to be present now (tight skin, heavy feeling, swelling, heat exacerbation)
- due to the COVID-19 epidemic I received next to no follow up treatment from any clinician as face to face contact was not possible
One thing I have noticed since the surgery is that the swelling I previously had has moved from the front of my leg to the back of my leg as well as from the ankle more towards my thigh. While I cannot say whether my leg is better or worse after the surgery, I believe if you feel it is something you are interested in doing at its first stage/younger then I don’t think there is harm in doing so. I am glad I received the surgery as I would have always been wondering ‘what if’. Also, whilst I am slightly disappointed with my rebound of swelling following the surgery, I believe it has increased the effectiveness of my legs natural drainage and slowed down the deterioration of my leg and long term, I hope, it will reduce the progression of swelling. As a performer, body image and mental health is a huge part of my life and while the surgery didn’t fix those things, for a while it alleviated the pressure of them.
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