Greene, ArinGrant, FrederickMaclellan, Reid2015-08-032015Greene, Arin K., Frederick D. Grant, and Reid A. Maclellan. 2015. “Obesity-induced Lymphedema Nonreversible following Massive Weight Loss.” Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open 3 (6): e426. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000000398. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/GOX.0000000000000398.2169-7574http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:17820692Summary: Lymphedema is the progressive enlargement of tissue due to inadequate lymphatic function. Obesity-induced lymphedema of the lower extremities can occur once a patient’s body mass index (BMI) exceeds 50. We report our first patient with obesity-induced lower extremity lymphedema who was followed prospectively before and after weight loss. A 46-year-old woman with a BMI of 80 presented to our Lymphedema Program complaining of bilateral lower extremity swelling. Lymphoscintigraphy showed impaired lymphatic drainage of both lower extremities consistent with lymphedema. She was referred to a bariatric surgical weight-loss center and underwent a sleeve gastrectomy. After reaching her new steady-state BMI of 36 eighteen months following her procedure, lymphoscintigraphy showed no improvement in lower extremity lymphatic function. Patients at risk for obesity-induced lymphedema should be counseled that they should seek weight-loss interventions before their BMI reaches 50, a threshold at which point lower extremity lymphedema may occur. Unlike other comorbidities that reverse following massive weight loss, obesity-induced lymphedema may not resolve.en-USJournal Article2015-08-0310.1097/GOX.0000000000000398