Discover how Lymphedema Surgery can restore your quality of life. Learn about the biological causes of Lymphedema and advanced care at Liv Hospital.
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
Overview and Purpose
Lymphedema is a chronic biological condition characterized by the accumulation of lymphatic fluid in the body’s tissues, most commonly in the arms or legs. This occurs when the lymphatic system—the body’s drainage network—is damaged or blocked, often following cancer treatment, surgery, or infection. This leads to persistent swelling, a feeling of “heaviness,” and an increased risk of skin infections.
The primary goal of Lymphedema Surgery is to restore the biological flow of lymph fluid and reduce the physical burden of the disease. At Liv Hospital, our purpose is to provide a comprehensive Surgical Management of Lymphedema for patients who have not found relief through conservative therapies like compression or massage. By utilizing high-tech imaging and surgical precision, we aim to decrease limb volume, reduce the frequency of infections (cellulitis), and improve overall mobility. Our focus is on long-term biological stabilization of the lymphatic system.
Common Procedures
At Liv Hospital, we specialize in Microsurgical treatment of lymphedema, which aims to rebuild the body’s natural drainage pathways.
For patients in advanced stages of Lymphedema, the biological tissue has often transformed into excess fat and scar tissue.
Consultation and Preparation
Understanding who is a candidate for Lymphedema surgery requires a detailed biological assessment. At Liv Hospital, we look for patients who:
Surgery and Recovery
Microsurgical treatment of lymphedema is performed under general anesthesia and can take between 4 to 8 hours. Our surgeons use powerful operating microscopes to work with vessels smaller than $0.8 \text{ mm}$. At Liv Hospital, we prioritize “super-microsurgery” to ensure the most delicate biological connections are secure. For node transfers, the new nodes are carefully reconnected to a blood supply to ensure their survival in the recipient limb.
Maintenance and Results
The results of the Surgical Management of Lymphedema are highly dependent on post-operative compliance.
Liv Hospital is a center of excellence for the Surgical Management of Lymphedema, offering the most advanced Microsurgical treatment of lymphedema in the region. We combine JCI-accredited safety with a multidisciplinary team of microsurgeons, imaging specialists, and therapists. We understand that Lymphedema is more than just swelling—it is a life-altering condition. We are dedicated to providing a biological solution that reduces your pain and restores your freedom. We encourage you to reach out and call Liv Hospital to schedule your specialized consultation today.
Liv Hospital Ulus
Asst. Prof. MD. Aslı Datlı
Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
Liv Hospital Ulus
Op. MD. Nilüfer Bahadırlı
Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
Liv Hospital Bahçeşehir
Assoc. Prof. MD. Mehmet Emre Yeğin
Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
Liv Hospital Bahçeşehir
Op. MD. Yasemin Aydınlı
Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
Liv Hospital Topkapı
Op. MD. Emre Gunenc
Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
Liv Hospital Ankara
Op. MD. Yankı Görkem Keskin
Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
Liv Hospital Gaziantep
Op. MD. Coşkun Erçel
Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
Liv Hospital Samsun
Op. MD. Hande Demir
Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
Liv Hospital Samsun
Spec. MD. Abdurrahman Akbaş
Medical Aesthetics
Liv Bona Dea Hospital Bakü
MD. CEYRAN MEMMEDOVA
Breast Diseases and Surgery
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
LVA connects existing lymphatic vessels to veins to bypass a blockage, working best for early-stage fluid swelling. VLNT transplants healthy lymph nodes from another part of the body to the affected area to absorb fluid and grow new pathways, often used for more advanced cases.
While surgery can significantly reduce swelling and improve quality of life, it is rarely considered a complete “cure” in the sense that the condition is gone forever. Most patients still need some form of maintenance, though often much less than before. It is better described as a highly effective long-term management strategy.
Some patients with early-stage lymphedema who undergo LVA may eventually stop wearing garments. However, most patients, especially those with advanced disease or who have SAPL, will need to continue wearing compression to maintain the results, though often at a lower pressure or frequency.
No. Liposuction for lymphedema (SAPL) removes diseased fat and scar tissue caused by the condition, not normal fat. It is a medical procedure to reduce limb volume and improve function, requiring specialized techniques and lifelong compression follow-up.
Candidates are typically patients who have been compliant with conservative therapy (compression, massage) for at least 6 months but still have significant swelling or symptoms. A thorough evaluation with imaging is needed to determine the best surgical option.
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