Elephantiasis Surgery in Kukatpally, Hyderabad

When considering elephantiasis surgery in Kukatpally, Hyderabad, thorough research is vital due to the presence of both qualified medical experts and unverified practitioners in the area. Patients must prioritize their health and safety by consulting a highly skilled surgeon specializing in vascular or plastic surgery. It is crucial to carefully examine the surgeon’s qualifications, credentials, and expertise before making any decisions. In this context, Arcus Clinic, a reputable healthcare facility in Kukatpally, stands out as a trustworthy option. Here, patients can seek guidance from Dr. Gautam Reddy, a certified vascular surgeon widely recognized for his extensive experience in elephantiasis surgeries. Choosing a reliable and skilled professional ensures the best possible outcome for the surgery, ensuring the patient’s well-being and successful treatment.
Lymphedema Surgery In Kukatpally, Hyderabad
Arcus Clinic excels in lymphedema surgery in Kukatpally, Hyderabad, offering unparalleled healthcare services. Renowned for its commitment to excellence, this center is a symbol of top-notch medical care. Boasting skilled surgeons and cutting-edge facilities, Arcus Clinic ensures exceptional patient care and optimal outcomes. Patients can confidently rely on their expertise, making it the premier choice in the region. Prioritizing one’s well-being is paramount, necessitating the selection of a surgeon with a proven track record. This careful approach avoids misleading advertisements and unverified claims, ensuring the integrity of procedures like lymphedema surgery. For patients, receiving trustworthy and reputable healthcare from Arcus Clinic has always been their top priority.
Lymphedema surgery at Dr. Gautam Reddy
Dr. Gautam Reddy’s clinic is well-known in the specialized field of lymphedema surgery for its expertise and compassion, backed by over 20 years of experience and a track record of over 2200 satisfied patients. The clinic’s team consists of highly skilled medical professionals devoted to providing exceptional lymphedema surgical solutions. They utilize advanced technology and tools to offer both surgical and non-surgical treatments. Each patient receives personalized care, including a tailored diagnosis and treatment plan based on their specific condition. The clinic’s primary focus is on ensuring a quick recovery, with an emphasis on minimal scarring and natural-looking results. Patient satisfaction is their top priority, and the clinic is dedicated to achieving the best possible outcomes for every individual they serve.
What is elephantiasis?
Elephantiasis, a condition transmitted through mosquito bites, causes swelling in the limbs and occasionally the genitals. This swelling results from the blockage of the lymphatic system, leading to fluid buildup in affected areas. In extreme situations, this obstruction may cause people to swell significantly in their arms, legs, and breasts. The fourth stage of lymphedema is elephantiasis.
What is lymphedema?
Lymphedema is a condition where parts of your body swell due to problems with your lymphatic system. The lymphatic system normally removes extra fluid, proteins, and toxins from your cells and tissues, returning them to your bloodstream.
When your lymphatic system isn’t working correctly, your body holds onto this fluid, causing swelling. This swelling commonly affects your arms and legs but can also impact other areas. Lymphedema increases the risk of developing infections in the swollen areas.
This condition can occur after specific surgeries, due to certain medical or genetic conditions, or even spontaneously without any known reason. Symptoms of lymphedema can vary, ranging from mild swelling and discomfort to significant swelling that can be painful and lead to skin issues such as infections and wounds.
What is the impact of lymphedema on my body?
Lymphedema can make your arms, legs, feet, and other body parts visibly swollen and feel heavy. It can also be painful and make it difficult to do daily activities. Many people with lymphedema feel self-conscious because it changes how they look.
Is lymphedema a serious medical condition?
Certainly. If you have lymphedema, there’s a risk of getting severe skin infections that can be life-threatening. In very rare situations, lymphedema might also result in lymphangiosarcoma, an extremely uncommon type of skin cancer
Types of lymphedema
Primary and secondary lymphedema are the two different forms of the condition.
What is primary lymphedema?
Primary lymphedema is not as common as secondary lymphedema and can be passed down within families if a relative has it. It happens because of genetic issues in the lymphatic system.
It occurs in about 1 in 100,000 people. Primary lymphedema can manifest at various life stages:
- Infants: Milroy’s disease is a hereditary type of lymphedema that can be present at birth.
- Puberty, during pregnancy, or up until age 35: Meige’s disease (lymphedema praecox) can affect individuals during puberty, pregnancy, and up to age 35.
- After age 35: A rare, late-onset lymphedema (lymphedema tarda) may cause swelling limited to your legs.
What is secondary lymphedema?
Secondary lymphedema can occur if your lymphatic system is damaged due to surgery, trauma, or radiation therapy. It is most common in people who have undergone breast cancer treatment. It’s important to note that not everyone who undergoes breast cancer treatment develops lymphedema.
Symptoms of lymphedema
The primary indicator of lymphedema is gradual or sudden swelling, which may not be noticeable right away. Additional indicators encompass sensations of heaviness or tightness in the impacted limb, reduced mobility, discomfort, and frequent infections. It is vital to seek medical assessment promptly for accurate diagnosis and effective management in these situations.
- You can’t see or feel the veins and tendons in your hands and feet.
- Your arms or legs might be slightly different in size.
- Your joints may feel unusually tight or stiff.
- Your skin looks swollen or red.
- Swelling can occur in different parts of your body, like your arms or legs.
- Your arms, legs, or other body parts might feel unusually heavy or full.
- Your clothes or jewelry might feel tighter than usual.
- There might be a burning or itching sensation.
- Your skin becomes visibly thicker.
What is the cause of lymphedema?
Lymphedema can occur due to various factors:
Breast cancer surgery: Removing lymph nodes under the arms during breast cancer surgery can damage nearby lymph vessels, leading to lymphedema in some cases.
Pelvic surgery: Surgical procedures involving the removal of pelvic lymph nodes can trigger lymphedema.
Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy can scar and damage the lymphatic system, causing skin inflammation and putting pressure on lymphatic circulation, potentially causing lymphedema.
Trauma: A direct injury to a specific area of the body can harm the lymphatic vessels under the skin, resulting in lymphedema.
Infection: Infections can worsen damage to the lymphatic system, increasing the risk of lymphedema.
Obesity: Excess fat in individuals with obesity can press on lymph nodes and vessels, disrupting lymphatic drainage and causing swelling.
Lack of physical activity: Inactivity can lead to swelling in the legs because the muscles, which aid in lymphatic circulation, become less active.
Tumors: Tumors can block lymphatic drainage, contributing to the development of lymphedema.
Heart conditions: Individuals with heart problems, particularly congestive heart failure, might develop lymphedema. If the heart doesn’t function efficiently, it can lead to weight gain and swollen legs due to impaired lymphatic drainage.
Blood vessel issues: Problems with the vascular system, responsible for carrying a significant portion of the body’s fluid, can lead to chronic blood vessel issues, potentially causing lymphedema.
Kidney disease: When kidneys fail to remove excess fluid and waste from the body, fluid retention can occur, resulting in swelling and, eventually, lymphedema.
What kinds of health issues can lymphedema cause?
- Lymphedema makes it easier to get infections in the swollen area as infection-fighting cells can’t reach that part of the body.
- Wounds may heal more slowly in the affected area.
- Lymphedema can lead to feelings of distress, depression, embarrassment, or anger.
- The joints in the affected body part might feel stiff or sore.
How is lymphedema identified?
In the initial assessment, your doctor will thoroughly examine you and ask about the onset of your symptoms. If there is swelling in your arm or leg, the doctor will measure it and compare it with the unaffected limb. If the swollen limb is approximately 2cm (about 4/5 of an inch) larger than the other, it could suggest the presence of lymphedema. This measurement helps diagnose the condition, enabling timely intervention and management.
- MRI scan uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed 3D images of specific tissues.
- CT scan employs X-ray technology to create cross-sectional images of the body, which is helpful in detecting lymphatic system blockages.
- Ultrasound utilizes sound waves to capture internal images and can identify obstructions in both the lymphatic and vascular systems.
- Lymphoscintigraphy involves injecting a person with a radioactive dye and scanning them with a machine, showing blockages in lymph vessels as the dye moves through the system.
To confirm and identify the cause, your doctor might recommend further tests. Lymphoscintigraphy, a test involving radioactive material, helps check if lymph vessels are blocked. Other X-ray procedures may be used to find the root cause of the swelling. Computed tomography (CT) scans can take pictures of the affected area to determine why the lymph vessels are blocked.
Stages of Lymphedema
If you don’t get treatment, lymphedema gets worse as time goes on. There are four stages, from not visible (stage 1) to severe (stage 3), based on how serious it is. Your healthcare provider will assess your condition and figure out which stage you’re in. Together, you can make a treatment plan that suits you. Starting treatment early increases your chances of stopping it from getting worse and easing your lymphedema symptoms.
Stage 1:
- There are no visible signs or symptoms.
- The lymphatic system has abnormal flow.
Stage 2:
- Fluid accumulates, causing swelling.
- Elevating the affected limb or area reduces swelling.
- Pressing on the area may cause a dent to form.
Stage 3:
- Swelling remains even when the affected area is elevated.
- Pressing the area no longer results in a dent.
- Scarring and skin thickening are evident.
Stage 4:
- Elephantiasis, which results in a large and deformed limb, becomes noticeable.
- The skin becomes thicker.
- Wart-like growths and extensive scarring appear on the skin.
It’s really important to start treatment for lymphedema early. This can help manage symptoms, stop them from getting worse, and make your limb look and feel better. Early treatment also reduces the chance of infections and might even make the condition less severe, making your life better.
Treatment for lymphedema
Lymphedema can’t be cured, but treatment tries to reduce swelling and prevent problems. Sometimes, in serious cases, surgery is the best choice. It helps control symptoms and make the patient’s life better.
Therapy: Specialized therapists who work with lymphedema are trained in various methods to reduce swelling.
Exercises: Gentle movements of the affected limb can help push out excess fluid and reduce swelling.
Manual Lymph Drainage: Therapists use a massage-like technique with light pressure to guide trapped fluid in the swollen area toward working lymph vessels. It’s important to avoid this technique if there are skin infections, blood clots, or active cancer in the affected area.
Compression Bandages: Wrapping the limb with bandages that don’t stretch much encourages lymph fluid to flow back toward the body’s core, reducing swelling.
Compression Garments: These are tight sleeves or stockings that compress the arm or leg, aiding in lymph fluid drainage. A prescription is often needed to ensure the right level of compression, and professional measurements are necessary for a proper fit.
Sequential Pneumatic Compression: A sleeve worn over the affected limb is connected to a pump that inflates intermittently, applying pressure and helping move lymph fluid away from the fingers or toes.
Surgery: Surgery is only considered for severe cases of lymphedema, where excess tissue in the affected limb is removed to reduce swelling.
Surgical options for lymphedema
When medical treatments fail to effectively manage lymphedema, surgery may be recommended. Your doctor may suggest liposuction as a treatment option. During this process, extra fat that has been stored due to lymphedema-related inflammation is removed. Liposuction for lymphedema is typically performed as an outpatient procedure, allowing for a swift recovery. Consulting with your healthcare provider can provide further insight into whether this surgical option is suitable for your specific condition.
Lymph Node Transplant: This surgery involves moving lymph nodes from one part of the body to the affected limb, connecting them to the lymph vessels. Many people in the early stages of lymphedema find relief from this procedure, which can reduce the need for compression therapy.
Creation of New Drainage Paths: In early-stage lymphedema, new connections are made between the lymphatic system and blood vessels. This allows excess lymph fluid to be redirected away from the affected limb through these newly established pathways.
Fibrous Tissue Removal: In severe cases of lymphedema, the soft tissues in the affected limb become stiff and fibrous. The function of the limb can be improved by removing some of this hardened tissue, usually by liposuction. In extremely severe situations, both the hardened tissue and skin might be removed using a scalpel.
Charles procedure (skin grafts): The affected tissue is removed, and a section of it is utilized by the surgeon as skin grafts to reconstruct the area. Skin grafts require meticulous care after the surgery, and it could take around a month to get back to regular activities after the procedure.
Coping and support for a healthy lifestyle
Coming to terms with the fact that there’s no cure for lymphedema can be disheartening, but there are aspects of it that you can control. Some tips to assist you in managing are as follows:
- Learn about lymphedema: Understanding its causes and nature can enhance your communication with your doctor or physical therapist.
- Take care of the affected limb: Clean your skin daily and carefully check for any issues like cracks or cuts. Use lotion to prevent dryness.
- Prioritize your overall health: Maintain a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. If you can, engage in daily exercise. Manage stress and aim for enough sleep. Taking care of your body not only boosts your energy but also supports the healing process.
What to expect from the doctor
You can expect to be asked a number of questions by your doctor, like:
- When did the swelling begin?
- Did anything specific occur before the swelling, like surgery, injury, radiation therapy, or starting new medications?
- Are there any other symptoms you’re experiencing?
- Is the swelling persistent, or does it come and go?
- Have you noticed anything that makes the swelling better?
- Are there any factors that make your symptoms worse?
- What have you tried to reduce the swelling, and what were the results of those efforts?
While this is happening, what will you do?
Elevate the swollen limb whenever possible, and be careful to prevent skin injuries. Lymphedema swelling might hide pain from injuries or burns, so refrain from using heating pads on the affected area. Also, make sure to moisturize your skin daily.
Lymphedema is a lasting condition that requires careful management to reduce symptoms and improve the lives of those affected. It’s important to understand what causes it, the factors that increase the risk, and the potential symptoms, as this knowledge is crucial for early detection and proper treatment. With the right care, preventive actions, and ongoing support, people with lymphedema can lead fulfilling lives and minimize the challenges posed by this condition. If you think you might have lymphedema or are at risk, it’s vital to consult a healthcare professional for a thorough evaluation and a personalized care plan.
Before & After


FAQ`S
What is this swelling most likely caused by?
Swelling due to problems with the lymphatic system causes fluid buildup. Surgery, trauma, infections, or genetic factors can contribute to its development.
Is there another possible reason?
Elephantiasis, also known as lymphatic filariasis, is primarily brought on by parasitic worms that are spread through mosquito bites. Uncommon factors include genetic factors and certain tropical diseases.
Is lymphedema a type of cancer?
No, lymphedema is not a form of cancer.
Is lymphedema a disability?
Lymphedema occurs when the vessels in the lymphatic system are blocked, resulting in symptoms that can vary from mild discomfort to substantial impairment.
Could lymphedema be fatal?
Lymphedema can result in infections, deformities, pain, and disability. Without proper treatment, it has the potential to become life-threatening.
Is the swelling temporary or permanent?
Lymphedema causes long-lasting swelling because the lymphatic system doesn’t work properly. This ongoing condition requires constant care to manage the persistent swelling effectively.
How does lymphedema get treated?
Lymphedema treatment usually combines manual lymphatic drainage, compression therapy, and surgery. These methods reduce swelling, alleviate symptoms, and enhance patients quality of life.
I am dealing with other medical issues. How can I best manage them together?
Efficiently handling lymphedema alongside other health concerns requires a well-coordinated approach. This involves continuous communication with healthcare professionals, following prescribed treatments, adopting a healthy lifestyle, and recognizing potential complications. Consulting specialists ensure a customized management plan, promoting overall well-being.
Do my activities or diet need to be restricted?
Diet and activity restrictions for lymphedema vary individually. It’s crucial to consult a healthcare professional or lymphedema therapist. They provide personalized guidance, designing a suitable diet and exercise plan tailored to your condition. This enhances overall well-being and symptom management effectively.