title: Obesity-induced Lymphedema Nonreversible following Massive Weight Loss.
abstract: Lymphedema is the progressive enlargement of tissue due to inadequate lymphatic function. Obesity-induced lymphedema of the lower extremities can occur once a patient's body mass index (BMI) exceeds 50. We report our first patient with obesity-induced lower extremity lymphedema who was followed prospectively before and after weight loss. A 46-year-old woman with a BMI of 80 presented to our Lymphedema Program complaining of bilateral lower extremity swelling. Lymphoscintigraphy showed impaired lymphatic drainage of both lower extremities consistent with lymphedema. She was referred to a bariatric surgical weight-loss center and underwent a sleeve gastrectomy. After reaching her new steady-state BMI of 36 eighteen months following her procedure, lymphoscintigraphy showed no improvement in lower extremity lymphatic function. Patients at risk for obesity-induced lymphedema should be counseled that they should seek weight-loss interventions before their BMI reaches 50, a threshold at which point lower extremity lymphedema may occur. Unlike other comorbidities that reverse following massive weight loss, obesity-induced lymphedema may not resolve.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Oral Surgery, Lymphedema Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.; and Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, Lymphedema Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.
authors.forename: Arin K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Greene
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Oral Surgery, Lymphedema Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.; and Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, Lymphedema Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.
authors.forename: Frederick D
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Grant
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Oral Surgery, Lymphedema Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.; and Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, Lymphedema Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.
authors.forename: Reid A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Maclellan