Abdominoplasty(tummy tuck) Anyone???

Katiejane

  Have any of you ladies had this procedure? If so, did it effect your lymphedema and what exactly happened?      Thanks!     Katiejane

Nordy

Katiejane - I think have read before that you are considering DIEP - well there's your tummy tuck and boobs to boot! I am also considering tummy tuck and have spoken to a lady I used to work with who is the founder of a LE treatment facility and has been treating LE for... well, since I graduated PTA school... so... about 19 years. She said that she has not seen it make the LE in the arm worse, but has seen resulting truncal LE with the tummy tuck and lipo. She said the risk is real, but nobody can tell you what that risk is. Her advise to me: if my body habitus is affecting the way I feel about myself and it is detrimental to my well being, then to go for it, but know that there is some risk. Dr. Massey should be able to tell you how her patients have fared after DIEP and/or tummy tucks. I would hold off on anything until you decide what type of reconstruction you want, because they certainly need that fat for DIEP. Good luck!

kcshreve

Good point not to do a tummy tuck until a decision is made as to whether it may be needed for a diep reconstruction. I had a diep.  I do have arm and truncal LE.  It is possible to move the truncal fluids away from the area of the incision.  but I'm told it can be redirected over the incision, and over time that drainage pattern will develop, too.  Of my truncal stuff, my back is the toughest, even though I have a very wide diep scar.  I do have some fluids over it but it seems that over time that is draining a bit better and a bit getter.  My back is the difficulty for mw.