Lymphedema and IV’s for other surgery?

Footsox2

Hi everyone. I had lymph nodes removed 12 years ago and have had lymphedema in both arms. It has gotten much better and I now have flu shots in my arm, and can use a wrist blood pressure cuff without any swelling. I allow blood draws from a vein in my arm if they do not use a tourniquet My problem is that I may be having hip replacement surgery and am worried about the IV for surgery. I hope to be in the hospital for only 1 day, but if I have an IV in my arm or hand for that long, I think it will be a problem. What do you do if having surgery? Thanks for your thoughts.

SummerAngel

I don't have lymphedema but am at risk in both arms. I have IVs placed in my foot. The first time took many tries and was pretty unpleasant, but after that I knew the "good spot" and could direct the person placing the IV to the correct position.

amygil81

I needed surgery on my good (non-LE) arm in 2016 when my crutch tip slipped on the ice and I broke my elbow. I didn't want an IV in my mastectomy arm. I made arrangements in advance with my surgeon to use my foot for the IV. You have to arrange it in advance, you can't just stick out your foot and say "here". It's a little unusual, and some nurses are better than others at doing it. They used a tourniquet to raise the veins on my foot, and luckily managed to start it on the first stick.

I also wore a Lymphadivas Hospital pattern sleeve and glove, bright yellow with No signs and "Not this arm" , on my LE arm, to make sure no one used it. It all worked fine for me. Hope this helps.

gb2115

I have a family member with lymphedema in both arms. I think they somehow place the IV line in her neck.

MinusTwo

I have blood drawn or IV lines placed in my ankle. I have flu shots in my hip. I occasionally allow BP on the less compromised of my arms, but for surgery I make them put it on my calf. Yes you will need to make arrangements in advance and probably meet with the anesthesia team for pre-op. Often it takes a head nurse or head of anesthesia to start a line in your ankle since apparently it isn't taught routinely.

And yes I'd write all over my arms with a magic marker - NO STICKS NO BP - in addition to wearing limb alert wrist & arm bands.