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Vascular Surgery/by-pass
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Question
I had a by-pass done in my leg 1 1/2 years ago. I am wondering what is the best way to protect my by-pass so that it will last. The reason I had to have the by-pass was due to extensive scaring in my leg due to radiation treatments I had on my leg 30 years ago. The tissue in my leg had become so scarred that it chocked out the main artery in my leg. Obviously I have swelling in my leg as well and am wondering if it is ok to have a massage therapist massage my leg to help relieve the edema.
hi Barb, I am sorry you had to go through this as a result of your earlier therapy, my sister is having similar problems, but theradiation was on her chest and throat, her heart is pretty weak as a result, they really didn't understand the ramifications 30 years ago. I am so sorry.
the best thing you can do to protect your bypass is walk, exercise calls blood to the legs to feed the muscles, this bllodflow moves faster than bloodflow at reat, the other thing that exercise does is it encourages what we call collateral flow, the native arteries are enlarged witht heincreased flow. massage also helps this phenomenon. with the collateral flow feeding your leg along with the bypass, the leg will stay healthier-longer.
the thing you mustn't do is smoke,. that will cause the bypass to fail and the native arteries to narrow too.
massage is a great addition, but i think you should ask your doc if it is OK there are some contraindications but i took a year of massage classes and i found that even if there were contraindications-most people can benefit from massage, it just may have to be adapted to meet the clients needs, but ask if it is ok just to be safe.
hope this helps. lauri
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Lauri Ordway
Expertise
I can answer your questions related to your circulation, your peripheral vascular system. This includes all arteries and veins except those inside the head and inside the heart. For example, neck (carotid), arms (carotid subclavian bypasses to Thoracic Outlet) belly (aortic aneurysm & occlusive disorders, renal artery stenosis), legs (iliac, femoral, popliteal, peroneal, dorasalis pedis, posterior and anterior tibial) arteries. Aneurysm & occlusive disease, atherosclerosis, leg pain, arterial wounds and gangrene, amputation prevention. Arterial Bypass, Reynaud’s, Buerger's disease (thromboangiitis obliterans), Thoracic Outlet and other circulation disorders. Vein disorders: Blood Clots (DVT), post-phlebetic syndrome, varicose veins, venous stasis ulcers. I can help with vascular wounds from diagnosis to treatments. I have worked extensively with VNUS Closure and EVLT (Laser) for varicose veins and can describe pre and post procedure expectations and describe the procedures themselves. I can't help with spider veins or cosmetic vein treatment, we don't do it. I have 15 years of wound care experience, arterial, venous, trauma and diabetic wounds for example. **I CANNOT answer questions about STENTS or STENTING, heart disease, blood pressure, brain aneurysm although I can help with questions about the arteries that go to and from those organs.
Experience
I am a nurse, I worked for 15 years with two terrific peripheral vascular surgeons, and one of them is also the inventor of very innovative wound care products and surgical instruments to make vascular surgery procedures better and faster. I wrote and manage the clinic website and field questions from patients all over the world. I am now working with another vascular surgeon and wound care expert, which has given me an opportunity to widen my horizons as I learn another excellent physician's preferences and benefit from his experiences in this amazing specialty.
Education/Credentials
I am an LPN, licensed in Minnesota
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