mjsgumbas
wrote:
I recently traveled to the University of Iowa to meet with Dr. Wei Chen a supermirosurgeon/plastic surgeon. I was referred to him by my PS. I had the Indocyanine Green Lymphography done and was amazed at what was seen both in my healthy arm and diseased arm. I was diagnosed under the Campisi Staging at Stage 2 as my LE is, right now, centralized in my upper arm. Although most of my swelling is in my hand, the Stardust and Splash patterns are confined to the area of my tricept.
Dr. Chen believes I would be an excellent candidate for LVA, as my symptoms have only been around about 6 months. He believes better results come with early intervention. I wear compression sleeves (often) and a glove almost all of my waking moments. I do massage also. It hasn't progressed, but it isn't relieved with any of the treatments.
In our lengthy 2 days clinic with Dr. Chen he explained in detail how the surgery is performed, showed us actual video and covered his results since he began performing this procedure. His statistics have been: no patients symptoms worsened, 90% saw some form of relief and 10% of the 90% were cured. There will still be therapy and garments for some time post-op, but the intent is to ease the necessity of these daily.
An 8 hr surgery - although minimally invasive - seems overwhelming. But if they don't try - they won't know! The surgery only effects the skin and fat layer - never reaches muscle, so the recovery/pain is nominal.
These surgeries have been performed in Asian countries for decades!!!!!!!! With favorable results!
I've tried to seach thru these threads to find someone who has had the procedure done and what the results were. So, please let me know if you had success!!!!
Dx
4/1/2013, IDC, Right, 2cm, Stage IIB, Grade 2, 1/24 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
Surgery
4/25/2013 Mastectomy: Right; Prophylactic mastectomy: Left; Reconstruction (left); Reconstruction (right)
Hormonal Therapy
5/29/2013
Surgery
11/7/2013 Reconstruction (right)
Surgery
1/31/2014 Prophylactic ovary removal
Hormonal Therapy
2/27/2015 Arimidex (anastrozole)
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