› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Tightness in leg after WLE and SLNB
- This topic has 8 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 8 months ago by
dutchchic.
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- August 22, 2011 at 12:36 am
Hello,
I recently had a WLE on lower left calf and SLNB. The plan pre-surgery was to do a skin graft on calf. At my pre-op consult with plastic surgeon he said there was a possibility he could close w/o skin graft. I told him I was all for that as I know skin graft can cause problems.
Hello,
I recently had a WLE on lower left calf and SLNB. The plan pre-surgery was to do a skin graft on calf. At my pre-op consult with plastic surgeon he said there was a possibility he could close w/o skin graft. I told him I was all for that as I know skin graft can cause problems.
I had surgery on 8/11 and they were able to close w/o graph. I have a long incision on my leg (inch above ankle to two inches below knee) and it is very, very tight. I'm sure part of this is due ot the fact I had a conservative excision done in this same are in May and they came back after melanoma diagnosis for more tissue. Area around incision is very red and surg onc started me on keflex Friday due to redness, however incision is clean, no weeping, etc.
My question is this…..has anyone experienced this type of tightness and does it loosen up over time? I can't put my full weight on foot yet due to tightness and it concerns me to some extent thought I know it is early. Also, it's fairly numb but I'm assuming this is normal due to scar tissue/nerves and the fact that surgery was very recent.
Many thanks for your input.
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- August 22, 2011 at 1:09 am
Hello Nicole,
I also had my WLE on my leg, although mine was on the side of my leg between my knee and hip. I was told that I might have to have a skin graft, but the surgeon was ultimately able to do the WLE without the graft. The incision was about 12 inches long and the skin was pulled extremely tight. It was very difficult to walk at first, and I was afraid I would tear something, but over time, the skin has stretched and is almost normal.
My surgeon did a fantastic job and the scar is hard to see if your not looking for it. I go for my 4 year checkup on Tuesday.
Take it easy for a little while and don't rush it.
Mike from Richmond.
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- August 22, 2011 at 10:16 am
Dear Nicole,
My wle was on my lower right calf, on the outer leg, and it was closed without a skin graft and yes it was tight. It was 5 years ago so I dont remember how tight. Your leg is probably swollen as welll, and as the fluid subsides it will get better. be sure to watch carefully for infection and glad you are on keflex. My snb incision developed a seroma and then it got infected and I ended up in the hospital with leg cellulitis for several days, and on antibiotics for a while.
Here's hoping the snb is negative! Keep your leg elevated as much as you can..right??
Vermont_Donna, stage 3a, NED
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- August 22, 2011 at 10:16 am
Dear Nicole,
My wle was on my lower right calf, on the outer leg, and it was closed without a skin graft and yes it was tight. It was 5 years ago so I dont remember how tight. Your leg is probably swollen as welll, and as the fluid subsides it will get better. be sure to watch carefully for infection and glad you are on keflex. My snb incision developed a seroma and then it got infected and I ended up in the hospital with leg cellulitis for several days, and on antibiotics for a while.
Here's hoping the snb is negative! Keep your leg elevated as much as you can..right??
Vermont_Donna, stage 3a, NED
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- August 22, 2011 at 1:09 am
Hello Nicole,
I also had my WLE on my leg, although mine was on the side of my leg between my knee and hip. I was told that I might have to have a skin graft, but the surgeon was ultimately able to do the WLE without the graft. The incision was about 12 inches long and the skin was pulled extremely tight. It was very difficult to walk at first, and I was afraid I would tear something, but over time, the skin has stretched and is almost normal.
My surgeon did a fantastic job and the scar is hard to see if your not looking for it. I go for my 4 year checkup on Tuesday.
Take it easy for a little while and don't rush it.
Mike from Richmond.
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- August 22, 2011 at 10:53 pm
Hi Nicole,
Is your incision on the back part of your calf?
It's hard to compare a degree of tightness especially when we all have a unique location to our wounds.
I had a WLE on the inside portion of my leg at the knee. Scar is about 8-9 inches long. My surgeon was quite worried about this closing and said I might need a skin graft. He did use a wound vac on the area which came off at 1week post op. No skin graft was done.
Post surgery I was in a brace so I couldn't bend my leg, but was surprised when the Dr took that away rather quickly and said he wanted me to bend it (not deep knee bends or anything like that). I was afraid the incision would open. It was quite tight. Six months out from surgery I'm surprised that it is not all that tight now, and I could do a deep knee bend if I wanted too. I did have a few small tears in the incision that opened across the incision, but I think that is what was needed to allow movement. I don't think that would happen now.
Give your amazing body time to heal. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. I know from one week to the next I was amazed how much better I got.
Best of luck to you,
Julie in Las Vegas
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- August 22, 2011 at 10:53 pm
Hi Nicole,
Is your incision on the back part of your calf?
It's hard to compare a degree of tightness especially when we all have a unique location to our wounds.
I had a WLE on the inside portion of my leg at the knee. Scar is about 8-9 inches long. My surgeon was quite worried about this closing and said I might need a skin graft. He did use a wound vac on the area which came off at 1week post op. No skin graft was done.
Post surgery I was in a brace so I couldn't bend my leg, but was surprised when the Dr took that away rather quickly and said he wanted me to bend it (not deep knee bends or anything like that). I was afraid the incision would open. It was quite tight. Six months out from surgery I'm surprised that it is not all that tight now, and I could do a deep knee bend if I wanted too. I did have a few small tears in the incision that opened across the incision, but I think that is what was needed to allow movement. I don't think that would happen now.
Give your amazing body time to heal. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. I know from one week to the next I was amazed how much better I got.
Best of luck to you,
Julie in Las Vegas
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