Lymph. question

wallycat

I also posted this on the Lymph. portion of the board and thought I'd cross post.
Is lymphed. usually caused only by lymph node removal? If I have a proph. mastectomy on my "good" side, does the mastec. itself predispose me to lymph. issues?
I appreciate all answers.
Thank you!!

Erica3681

A mastectomy doesn't exactly "predispose" you to lymphedema, but it does increase your risk slightly. If you have other factors that might predispose you (I think being overweight is one, and some people just have genetic predisposition), then even a mastectomy could cause problems. But it's my impression that this is rare.

I hope Binney will come on and answer as she's the resident expert!