Total Lymphedema Care

07/25/2026

05/18/2026

Why do some women recover after explant surgery while others do not?

Another way to ask the question is, why do some women report their BII symptoms lessen or resolve entirely after explant surgery while other women continue to have the same challenging symptoms?

Let's look at some of the factors involved.

Scientists have now shown beyond doubt that silicone is not inert in the human body. In other words, silicone activates the immune system. Anyone who is exposed to silicone breast implants or other medical devices that contain silicone, will have a migration or bleed of silicone into the cells. Silicone itself does not discriminate the user. The question remains why some people react more to silicone than others?

Scientists have shown that silicone in the body is only one of the precipitators for an autoimmune disorder to develop. And multiple of the preconditions need to be met for an autoimmune disease to be triggered. What are some of these conditions?

First, there is a genetic predisposition for developing an autoimmune disease. In addition, the environmental and immune stimulatory factors need to be present to trigger either the full disease or for symptoms to emerge.

Scientists have identified that if an individual already has a diagnosis of an autoimmune disease and decides to implant silicone breast implants, they are more likely to develop BII. Individuals with pre-existing allergies could be given a warning before implanting.

Breast implant rupture and widely spreading of the gel throughout the body and organs will cause greater toxicity and increases the risk of developing BII.

This will begin to explain why some women recover faster after explant surgery than others. Women who don't recover as fast likely had more preconditions in place for BII or ASIA to develop. These women will require further treatment to resolve the additional stressors impacting their immune systems. What are these treatments? Unfortunately that is not my expertise to comment on, but hopefully this gives you more information to take back to your doctor for discussion.

05/05/2026

Total Lymphedema Care was founded in 2009 as a physical therapy and lymphedema clinic, providing education and rehabilitation services to women undergoing breast surgeries for medical and for cosmetic reasons.

Breast Implant Illness, BII, defined as an autoimmune disease, was not yet on our radar.

We are uniquely situated to provide valuable information about rehabilitation and recovery for anyone taking the courageous journey from implant to explant, and back to health.
We also inform the general public about the proven dangers of silicone breast implants.

03/26/2026

We will soon be back with posts to assist women suffering from Breast Implant Illness, or ASIA, Autoimmune/inflammatory Syndrome Induced by Adjuvants.
Silicone breast implants are making women sick. Know the symptoms and the best treatments. 💗

09/03/2023

Best compliment in the world when your study outcome is confirmed by a second group of investigators! 💪
Skin cooling for lymphedema really works! A now double proven adjunct to lymphedema management!!!
No one needs to suffer, if you have a refrigerator, you can have almost instant relief from the discomfort of swelling wherever it presents on your body!

Investigation of how local cryotherapy in combination with standard therapy affects patient outcomes indicates that cryotherapy is an effective adjunct modality for the treatment of secondary lymphedema and should be added to physical therapy protocols for lyMPhedema rehabilitation. Worldwide, lymph...

09/03/2023

Copy of my cooling study for easy access!!

Because softer tissue becomes more pliable, myofascial lengthening, scar tissue releasing, and other aspects of treatment are easier to perform thereby reducing treatment time and effort while achieving improved functional mobility. Based on preliminary observations that topical cooling appeared to....

08/27/2023

Summer heat activates lymphedema!
My study showed that cooling the affected area with a wet towel chilled in the refrigerator (not the freezer!!!) cools the skin AND decreases the pressure under the skin, reducing sub-dermal lymphedema. It's the quickest way to reduce discomfort and swelling from lymphedema short term. Especially on a hot day!!!

No it's not a cure! But neither are lymphatic drainage massage, compression garments or pumps. However skin cooling uniquely reduces inflammation in the tissue and over time CAN reduce the frequency and intensity of lymphedema.

Want to know more, send me a message or buy my book!

11/19/2021

To give to your MD

09/11/2021

Lymphedema, the name word itself is intimidating! It simply means swelling. Have you ever had a sprained ankle or a swollen knee? That is also lymphedema. Lymph is the fluid in your body that causes swelling in cases of inflammation, injury, or irritation of tissue. In cases of temporary injury, the swelling recedes and the body resumes it's normal size and function. In other words the swelling just goes away. In the case of a major surgery where lymphatic tissue, the vessels and lymph nodes that regulate the flow of lymph fluid in the body are removed, the body cannot return to a normal state. if you are on this page, this likely describes the lymphedema you are experiencing. For you lymphedema has to be managed on a daily basis. Perhaps you apply compression for management of tissue swelling.

As a certified lymphedema therapist, who works in tropical and subtropical climates, I have been particularly interested in the management of lymphedema in increasing temperatures. Such as, in hotter and longer summers in many parts of the world. My pilot study published in 2017 demonstrated that cooling of skin temperature has an immediate positive impact on reducing lymphedema, and reducing the inflammatory process. Though further study would be helpful, logic supports the cooling of tissue prone to swelling when temperatures rise on hot summer days. Could it be that simple? The best proof lies in the pudding!

The only method for cooling the breast I teach is using cold towels, dunked in a bath of water and ice and adjusted to your tolerance. Wrap the impacted area in a cold cloth, repeat as needed and notice the change. I must admit that there is a better method than using messy ice water! I prefer the use of high quality, water absorbing, sports towels, cooled in the refrigerator. These towels have the ability to absorb water molecules and create an icy cold temperature, safe for use on human skin that will not result in ice burns. Never place an ice pack or ice cubes directly on tender skin as this will result in skin burns. I will post a video of skin cooling.

The South Florida Breast Cancer rehab center, the educational arm of Total Lymphedema Care founded in 2009 as a physical therapy and lymphedema clinic, now providing education to women undergoing silicone breast explant surgery.

09/03/2019

Lymphedema specialist must be aware that Starlings law is no longer the standard model for explaining the resolve of interstitial fluid back into the circulatory system. Current accepted scientific knowledge informs that all fluid and proteins exiting the arterial blood capillaries must be removed from the interstitium by the lymphatic capillaries and not by venous capillaries. Since all edemas are now considered on the same continuum we can consider that not only MLD but treatments traditionally used in the resolve of swelling, may apply in the management of secondary lymphedema.
My study published in 2017 titled Topical skin cooling in the management of breast cancer-related lymphedema, gave evidence that modified skin cooling improves tissue pressure and reduced pain. Our patients deserve to know about simple and cost-effective treatments to help them heal!