Restoring Mobility: Advanced Lymphedema Surgery Transforms Patient's Life
A 31-year-old Israeli mother of two shares her transformative journey overcoming severe lymphedama through advanced microsurgery at the Northern Medical Center, regaining mobility and hope.
Simple actions like tying shoelaces, getting into a bathtub, or even climbing into bed became a grueling daily challenge for Shoshana, a 31-year-old mother of two from Netivot. Since the age of 17, she has struggled with lymphedama, a chronic condition causing severe swelling in her right leg all the way from her foot to her groin. "I couldn't even see my own foot beneath the swelling," she recalls.
The first signs appeared during her adolescence. "I used to play soccer, and one day I noticed a small difference between the two legs," she recounts. After numerous medical examinations and prolonged hospital stays, she was finally diagnosed with lymphedama. Initially, she underwent conservative treatments involving physical therapy and compression bandages, but her condition steadily deteriorated following her pregnancies. "With every birth, it only got worse," she says. "I reached a point where I could barely walk."
Understanding Lymphedama and Modern Treatment
According to data from the Baruch Padeh Medical Center, Poriya (Northern Medical Center), approximately 30,000 Israelis suffer from lymphedama. Dr. Assi Drobot, head of the Lymphedema Surgery Unit at the medical center, explains that the disease stems from an impairment in the lymphatic system, which is responsible for draining fluids from body tissues. This blockage leads to fluid accumulation, swelling, and recurrent infections. In severe cases, extreme enlargement of the limb occurs, colloquially known as elephantiasis.
"Lymphedama is not just an aesthetic issue. The edema can significantly impair mobility and daily functioning. Every patient who comes to us undergoes a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation to determine the source of the swelling, and only then is a tailored surgical strategy developed," says Dr. Drobot.
Treatment options vary depending on severity and may include lymphaticovenular anastomosis (creating micro-connections between lymphatic vessels and veins to facilitate drainage), vascularized lymph node transfer from healthy areas, and liposuction combined with tissue excision for extreme swelling. Dr. Drobot notes that surgical advancements have drastically reduced procedure times. While creating a single lymphatic connection once took hours, modern techniques allow surgeons to complete each anastomosis in about half an hour.
A New Lease on Life
Shoshana first learned about surgical interventions during a routine checkup with a vascular specialist, who referred her to Dr. Drobot. In May 2025, she underwent her first surgery, during which two lymphatic-venous connections were created and approximately three liters of fat and lymphatic fluid were removed. A second procedure followed in August 2026, targeting excess skin on her lower right leg.
Today, despite awaiting her final corrective procedure, Shoshana feels a profound transformation. "Yesterday I sat at the beach and enjoyed folding my legs however I wanted," she shares. "These are things I never dreamed I could do. My leg no longer feels heavy and cumbersome. I am already looking forward to returning to sports."
