What can I do to reduce the risk of secondary lymphedema?
• It is recommended that you have an assessment with a certified lymphedema physiotherapist. A “baseline” of your arm circumference and upper body range of motion measurements will be taken. These will be used for comparison during and following your treatment, and will allow a physiotherapist to monitor you for secondary lymphedema and help you regain full and proper shoulder movement. • Take care of your skin. • Avoid injections, blood work or blood pressure monitoring on your affected side (the side you were operated on). Ask for your unaffected side to be used. If you have had bilateral surgery (both sides), consult your medical team to arrange for use of a lower limb instead. • Maintain a healthy body weight. Commit to losing weight if your BMI (Body Mass Index) is high. A high BMI is 25+ in people under 60 years and 27+ in people over 60. • Exercise on a regular basis at a moderate pace, ideally for 30 minutes every day. • Learn more about secondary lymphedema, so you know how to
