Lympodema After Gastric Sleeve Surgery

[Erica S 2]

Hello everyone...i wanted to make this post in the hopes i can get some ideas of my new lifestyle change. I finally got my surgery date for 11/13/2023. One of the main reasons for the surgery is i was diagnosed with Lympodema back in 2016 but was never really informed about how bad it would get throughout the years. with also being overweight it has made my mobility extremely difficult these last few years but i have to make the most of it to provide for my family. so my PCP and cardiologist said the surgery would help me in the long run. i was wondering if anyone also has/had lympodema that had the surgery if they saw any changes at all and if so what kind? have a blessed day

[summerseeker 2,079]

I had lymphoedema because of my weight and I also had major problems when walking. I would be so out of breath and my heart would hammer in my chest. I was classed as disabled. I relied on a stick. Housework was difficult, It would take a week to clean my home, a room at a time. I ironed a shirt and sat down, panting.

Now since surgery I am super active, can clean the house in an afternoon. I can walk miles without stopping to rest. My lymphoedema was in my arms and legs, I was very embarrassed about the size of them. Although I do not have the most beautiful ankles now, I would say they pass. My arms have a great deal of loose empty skin. At my age, I am wondering if I should have corrective surgery or not.

I have been on 3 overseas holidays in very hot climates since surgery. My ankles and calves have never swelled and they always did before, especially on the plane journey. Its good not to wear the ugly socks.

Good luck with your decision making

[Erica S 2]

thank you so much for your reply. my lymphedema is mostly in my legs and the same goes for me. daily chores are hard to do with having to stop every few minutes to sit and relax/catch my breath. even driving i get scared because i need more reaction time than most but i muscle through it. i was reading so many different things how sleeve surgery may not help but reading your story it is giving me so much more hope. do you you have the compression socks still for your legs?

Edited September 19, 2023 by Erica S

[summerseeker 2,079]

No I do not need them at all. It was such a chore getting the socks on every day. I feel blessed. This surgery gave me so much more life back

[Erica S 2]

How long after you had the procedure did you start to notice the change with ur arms and legs? I truly appreciate ur responses because i have been doubting things with my surgery but to hear that you are doing better since your surgery is definitely giving me hope.

[Erica S 2]

How long after you had the procedure did you start to notice the change with ur arms and legs? I truly appreciate ur responses because i have been doubting things with my surgery but to hear that you are doing better since your surgery is definitely giving me hope.

[summerseeker 2,079]

At about 6- 7 months out. I had lost about 75 pounds. I was going on a overseas holiday and was trying clothes on and started looking in mirrors. I avoided mirrors for decades. My arms were the first noticeable signs that the surgery worked. I had about two inches of saggy skin under my arms. At about 12 months out, I sent for some good quality leggings, just to see if........... Well they did fit. I had regular sized legs for the first time since junior school. No more of the detested wide leg trousers and jeans for me. My ankle boots go over the top of my trousers these days, I never could do this before because they didn't zip or lace all the way up. Another holiday when I was 15 months out and I realised I had the gap in my thighs that I had always dreamed of. This old bird now wears mini dresses over my swimsuits on the beach and by the pool. I could never have imagined that. I have a lot of sagging skin on my upper arms but my lower legs are just a bit wrinkly. I look great in clothes but am fairly sure that at my age I will not be having surgery to rectify the saggy skin. I knew the skin would happen as I was old when I started this journey. I never put me of doing it. Saggy skin does not ache, feel heavy or weep. It is correctable if you want too.