pre-mastectomy L-Dex

Newwingstoo​ I haven't had a mastectomy but I had a lumpectomy and sentinel nodes removed. Three of four lymph nodes had cancer so I was booked in for removal of more lymph nodes. 

I met my breast care nurse before the second surgery and she did the L-Dex measurement on an ImpediMed Sozo machine. It involved me standing barefoot on a little machine and holding on to its hand rests for about 30 seconds. It didn't hurt and wasn't invasive in anyway. She showed me the results on an ipad and said that was my baseline for fluid, it looked fine, and that ideally I would have had it before the first surgery but all signs had pointed to no lymph node involvement. 

I had the second surgery on Tuesday and am thankful they have those measurements recorded. I will get to stand on the little machine again early January and then they will be able to monitor me in the future so that they can intervene if required.

Of all the tests and scans it was by far the easiest one and it's given me reassurance that it will pick up any little changes that I might not notice until they become physically apparent.

HI there

Not sure if this is helpful.....but as I didn't have a L-Dex and following my first surgery, there was no point of reference to compare me to in the subsequent months. 

I then went on to have a second surgery (for both breasts but LN removed only on one side), 9 months later, and following removal of all remaining axillary LN, I continue to experience pain, swelling, fluid and heaviness in one of my reconstructed breasts, specifically on the side the LN were removed. I had 5 needle aspirations in the months following my second surgery and eventually it just became too hard to find a practitioner who would drain the excess lymph building up.

The physiotherapist/lymphatic specialist did not have a measurement of my breast to refer to and all subsequent attention was paid to my arm and my hand.

Since then, I have a different (private) Lymphatic Specialist and he has made a considerable difference in the breast pain, however the fluid continues to be an issue. 

I would recommend you have more information rather than less, as without it, if/when complications arise, they have nothing to compare it to. 

Good luck with it all. 

Hi Newwingstoo​, while we wait for others to reply with their experience, I thought I'd pass on some resources we have on L-Dex measurements as part of monitoring for lymphoedeoma. A pre-mastectomy L-Dex is not strictly necessary, but it is highly recommended because it establishes a baseline to help detect subclinical lymphedema after treatment. You can read more here:  https://www.bcna.org.au/resources/side-effects/a-to-z-of-side-effects/lymphoedema/signs-and-symptoms-of-lymphoedema