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Can vibration boards assist with lymph node flow after surgery? (Decrease likelihood of lymphedema?)
Answer Summary
Members exploring ways to prevent lymphedema after breast cancer surgery shared detailed information about Lymphaticovenular Anastomosis... Read more
@A MyBCTeam Member
Well, that leaves me out--my balance is TERRIBLE! I was working on it with a regular PT before I got my cancer diagnosis, back when I was trying to impprove balance and muscle strength after being diagnosed with osteoporosis. Funny how priorities can change in a heartbeat sometimes.
@rosevardengal
That is totally amazing that doing the lymph node to blood vessels procedure is part of their protocol.
You are so lucky that was performed.
It should be protocol for everyone!!!!
Orlando Health in Orlando, Florida is where my bypass was done. I didn't even ask to have it done, they told me they were going to do it because they were going to be removing so many lymph nodes. It's part of their standard of care.
@A MyBCTeam Member & rosegardengal,
Good points on the LVA (Lymphatico Venular Bypass). Sue it looks like you had Immediate LVA or Immediate Lymphatic Reconstruction(ILR). Early studies have shown promising results with ILR in reducing lymhedema rates ,but it is not yet considered the standard of care at every medical center.This is why it is So important to do your research when selecting a treatment center and to ask questions.
As @A MyBCTeam Member mentioned access to specialized treatment is limited in many areas of the country and even more so when it comes to LVA. We have less than 100 super microsurgeons across the country who specialise in the field and a handful of institutions who perform LVA surgery. The University of Chicago Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Granzow Lymphedema Center in Los Angeles and the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio are notable for their LVA surgeries.
My dear friend in her30's had everything scheduled and in place for her LVA surgery this past March when a "hiccup" in her insurance paperwork caused a denial for the surgery. This is after she lost 40 pounds to meet the BMI requirements and had made all necessary arrangements for flight and housing for her and caregivers to go to Cleveland. Her next earliest date is in 2027. The good news is that she is having some relief from manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), compression methods and PT.
I am sorry that some of my sisters on here have to travel great distances for medical care. It is getting worse especially in rural areas with over 200 hospitals closing and an additional 400 more at immediated risk for closure.
@A MyBCTeam Member
By now I would hope there are more reconstructive breast plastic surgeons that are qualified to perform this procedure. I live in a very rural part of Florida where there are no doctors or hospitals that are capable of dealing with my cancer and other medical issues. I travel to Orlando, a 3 hour drive from my home, every month for my various doctor appointments. I'm lucky I only need to travel that far to get good care. Unfortunately many of us are in the same boat when it comes to finding decent care and it's only going to get worse.
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