Topic: Bilat. Arm/Truncal LE/DIEP Reconstruction
- Posted on: Nov 2, 2009 08:35 pm
Posts: 346
Hi Everyone,
After 2.5 yrs post diagnosis, I'm emotionally and physically ready to seriously look at reconstruction.
One of my biggest concerns is how my LE will react to surgery. Anyone out there gone ahead w/ reconstruction even though LE is present? Did your LE worsen? Any advice is welcome! Thanks! Katie
Diagnosis: 6/13/2007, ILC, Stage IIa, Grade 3, 3/28 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
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Binney4 Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 4,897 |
Nov 2, 2009 09:52 pm
Binney4 wrote:
Hi, Katiejane, Congrats on the 2.5 years, and on reaching a decision as well! Do keep us posted and let us know what you discover. Be well! |
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glanter Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 39 |
Nov 3, 2009 08:28 am
glanter wrote:
There are some docs doing lymph node transfer in conjunction with DIEP in an effort to alleve some of the symptoms of LE. So it may be that you can have two problems addressed at one time. |
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Binney4 Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 4,897 |
Nov 3, 2009 04:32 pm
Binney4 wrote:
Hi, Glander, Gorgeous, yummy fur-baby on your avatar -- bet s/he's been a real support on your bc journey! Among the unknown risks involved in this surgery is that of leg lymphedema due to the removal of nodes from the groin. With the recent publication of research suggesting that those of us who develop arm lymphedema do so because of deficits in our overall lymph system function, the indication is that taking nodes from some other location may be tempting fate. Dr. Massey (who does the surgery in NOLA) is apparently conducting research on this still-experimental procedure, and hopefully she'll be looking at such safety issues over time (lymphedema can develop years after surgery). Of course there may be other unknown risks as well. So a decision to try this needs to be well-researched and thought out, and certainly individualized to one's own particular needs. Geesh! Nothing about bc and its side effects is ever easy, is it?! Be well! |
I haven't done reconstruction so hope someone else will come along their experience. But here's a page about surgery on an area with lymphedema: