Nancy Brown spoke to the Greenville Support Group about her positive experiences with Lymph Node Transfer Surgery with Dr. Marga Massey
Greenville, South Carolina - In January, Nancy Brown discussed her experience with Lymphatic Transfer Surgery at the January Upstate Monarchs Community Meeting. Nancy suffers from Secondary Lymphedema which she developed in 2011 after treatment for Breast Cancer in 2006 and 2007. She was able to find a medical diagnosis and treatment regiment but the experience, as with many lymphedema patients, was difficult at times. Eventually, Nancy had a good diagnosis and was in a good maintenance state. She maintained that state by wrapping her arm (everyday), wearing garments, and regular visits to her therapist for MLD (Manual Lymph Drainage) treatments. Most patients can control their lymphedema with a good maintenance plan. While traveling, Nancy saw an advertisement from Dr. Marga Massey, a plastic surgeon, who is one of several US surgeons seeking to pioneer a surgical option for lymphedema patients. Although the option is not for everyone, the promise and results that Nancy has seen have been life changing. The procedure uses a functioning lymph donor site and transfers lymph vessels and nodes from that site to the site with lymphatic system doesn't function properly. It is for that reason the option is called Lymph Node Transfer and not donation, since the lymphatic ducts are from the own patient's body. In Nancy's case, it was from her neck. The surgery is an option for Primary or Secondary Lymphedema and be on either the arms or legs.
Despite this, Nancy's results have been very positive thus far. "I would do the surgery again", said Nancy as she discusses her experiences to date. "I have been able to reduce wearing my garments from daily use to once every three to four days with no problems and Dr. Massey's approval". The expectation is that the results will have the most promise in the first two years of the surgery. Lymph Node Transfer option is not for everyone, however in Nancy's case, it was extremely beneficial. Hopefully, Nancy's story is one of many that will start a wider spread acceptance of this surgical option for the right cases. References:
What is Lymphedema | Lymph Node Transfer Specialist
http://www.drmarga.com/what-is-lymphedema.html Tag Archives: Dr Marga Massey Breast reconstruction and Lymph node transfer surgery.. Posted on June 23, 2013 under medical treatments |
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