groin dissections?

I had a superfical inguinal node dissection on June 10 of this year and an SNLB (3 nodes removed) on May 3.

There was no notable swelling after the SLNB.

My surgeon referred me to a physiotherapist clinic on discharge from hospital. The clinic specialises in lymphedema treatment. This was extremely worthwhile because I have post surgical swelling. The clinic staff have provided treatment, education and training to address the immediate swelling and to give me the ability to manage the risk of lymphedema so that I never develop it. I have also been fit for a compression garment that is like a pair of heavy tights. In the short term, I will be wearing them my waking hours. I'll then be advised if that needs to continue or will be reserved for certain occassions, e.g. flying or more demanding exercise.

In the week before your surgery, I encourage you to do some research as to what my be available in your area.

Let me know if you have any other questions about my own experience. It has been very positive.

I had a superfical inguinal node dissection on June 10 of this year and an SNLB (3 nodes removed) on May 3.

There was no notable swelling after the SLNB.

My surgeon referred me to a physiotherapist clinic on discharge from hospital. The clinic specialises in lymphedema treatment. This was extremely worthwhile because I have post surgical swelling. The clinic staff have provided treatment, education and training to address the immediate swelling and to give me the ability to manage the risk of lymphedema so that I never develop it. I have also been fit for a compression garment that is like a pair of heavy tights. In the short term, I will be wearing them my waking hours. I'll then be advised if that needs to continue or will be reserved for certain occassions, e.g. flying or more demanding exercise.

In the week before your surgery, I encourage you to do some research as to what my be available in your area.

Let me know if you have any other questions about my own experience. It has been very positive.

Hello Becky,

During my SLN biopsy, I tested positive for one lymph node and negative for another.  This was followed up a few weeks later with a complete lymph node dissection in my left groin.  The rest of the lymph nodes tested negative.

Immediately after surgery, I was very swollen in the groin area.  The upper top part of my leg was numb, and because my Dr. had to reverse a muscle, walking was painful.  Some fluid had also drained into my "male parts".  Very uncomfortable!

My Dr. told me to wear a compression stocking for at least a year, and I did (and hated every day of it).  After a year I stopped wearing it regularily.

I will celebrate my 4th year this Sept, and although I can tell that my left leg and particularity my ankle is a little thicker, no one else would notice it.  I find that bug bites cause more swelling then before, so I try to avoided anything (bugs, poison ivy, etc) that might cause irritation.

Once you recover, I would suggest mild excercise like walking, swiming, etc. which helps pump fluid out.  The more muscle tone the better.

Good luck.

Mike from Richmond.

Hello Becky,

During my SLN biopsy, I tested positive for one lymph node and negative for another.  This was followed up a few weeks later with a complete lymph node dissection in my left groin.  The rest of the lymph nodes tested negative.

Immediately after surgery, I was very swollen in the groin area.  The upper top part of my leg was numb, and because my Dr. had to reverse a muscle, walking was painful.  Some fluid had also drained into my "male parts".  Very uncomfortable!

My Dr. told me to wear a compression stocking for at least a year, and I did (and hated every day of it).  After a year I stopped wearing it regularily.

I will celebrate my 4th year this Sept, and although I can tell that my left leg and particularity my ankle is a little thicker, no one else would notice it.  I find that bug bites cause more swelling then before, so I try to avoided anything (bugs, poison ivy, etc) that might cause irritation.

Once you recover, I would suggest mild excercise like walking, swiming, etc. which helps pump fluid out.  The more muscle tone the better.

Good luck.

Mike from Richmond.

Hi Becky, best of luck with your surgery.  I had a groin dissection 11 years ago. 10 nodes dissected, one node positive for melanoma which had broken outside the node capsule.  I don't regret it one bit. I must have been one of the 10 to 15 percent who got lymphoedema, but there is alot they can do for it these days and it can be managed, it is not so bad, particularly in my case, its better than having melanoma. There are always the exception to this but you have to remain positive.  The surgeons attached a drain into the area to help take away the lymph fluid after the nodes had been cut out.  I was very glad to have the drain as I know some people who did not have the drain had a few more problems with infections and more swelling with the fluid.

11 years later, there is still lymphoedema in my right leg.  I no longer have to wear the compression stock because keeping my weight down and keeping the leg upright, swimming, gentle walking, I hardly notice it too much now,  If you do get lymphoedema, get your doctor to refer you to a lymphoedema specialist as your leg is a little more exposed to infections and it will need to be managed but as I say again I'd rather have lymphoedema than melanoma any day.

Good luck, it is great being cancer free.

Hi Becky, best of luck with your surgery.  I had a groin dissection 11 years ago. 10 nodes dissected, one node positive for melanoma which had broken outside the node capsule.  I don't regret it one bit. I must have been one of the 10 to 15 percent who got lymphoedema, but there is alot they can do for it these days and it can be managed, it is not so bad, particularly in my case, its better than having melanoma. There are always the exception to this but you have to remain positive.  The surgeons attached a drain into the area to help take away the lymph fluid after the nodes had been cut out.  I was very glad to have the drain as I know some people who did not have the drain had a few more problems with infections and more swelling with the fluid.

11 years later, there is still lymphoedema in my right leg.  I no longer have to wear the compression stock because keeping my weight down and keeping the leg upright, swimming, gentle walking, I hardly notice it too much now,  If you do get lymphoedema, get your doctor to refer you to a lymphoedema specialist as your leg is a little more exposed to infections and it will need to be managed but as I say again I'd rather have lymphoedema than melanoma any day.

Good luck, it is great being cancer free.

You asked about the number of positive nodes that I had. Between the SNLB and the LND I only had one (the primary sentinel) and the only evidence was at the microscopic level.

You asked about the number of positive nodes that I had. Between the SNLB and the LND I only had one (the primary sentinel) and the only evidence was at the microscopic level.

Becky,

I had the surgery in June and immediately had lymphadema issues. It has significantly cleared up and it in no way impeded my life. My 60+ year old surgen suggested buying support socks and just wearing them forever. He does the same for vericose veins, and says he wished he'd switched to them sooner. Admittedly as a guy, I have the advantage of them looking just like dress socks. Besides the socks, I tend to come home and lay down for 15-20 minutes after work to unwind and get my foot elevated up on the back of the couch, but I think I'm using that now just as a way to hit the couch after a long day of work.

Best of luck.

Becky,

I had the surgery in June and immediately had lymphadema issues. It has significantly cleared up and it in no way impeded my life. My 60+ year old surgen suggested buying support socks and just wearing them forever. He does the same for vericose veins, and says he wished he'd switched to them sooner. Admittedly as a guy, I have the advantage of them looking just like dress socks. Besides the socks, I tend to come home and lay down for 15-20 minutes after work to unwind and get my foot elevated up on the back of the couch, but I think I'm using that now just as a way to hit the couch after a long day of work.

Best of luck.