Join us in raising awareness of lymphedema among the public and across various healthcare disciplines. Your generous support enables us to expand our outreach, provide essential resources for patients, and educate communities—helping both current and future patients live better, informed lives. Every contribution makes a meaningful difference.
Lymphedema Society of Singapore
Society code: T20SS0062C
Copyright © Lymphedema Society of Singapore
Dr Jonah Kua – Plastic Surgeon
In the past, lymphedema was often considered untreatable. Disease progression led to long-term physical and psychosocial consequences for the patient. Now, this is no longer true…new microsurgical techniques have challenged this misconception and given hope to many patients.
Dr. Pek Wan Sze – Plastic Surgeon
Through patient education and close collaboration between plastic surgeons, breast surgeons and physiotherapists, swelling of the arms which may arise from breast cancer treatment can be effectively treated to improve patients’ quality of life.
Dr. Terence Goh – Plastic Surgeon
Lymphedema, albeit not a fatal condition can be very debilitating and exacts a huge toll on our patients. Advances in lymphedema surgery enables us to gives these patients an improvement in their quality of life.
Dr. Matthew Yeo – Plastic Surgeon
Lymphedema is a chronic and debilitating disease that may cause functional disability due to extremity swelling as well as potential complications including dry and cracked skin, non-healing wounds and infection. Management of advanced lymphedema cases is challenging. Conservative measures such as lymphatic massage and bandaging have limited effect and most patients require surgery. Surgical procedures may be divided into physiological procedures in which lymphatic drainage is recreated or bypassed, and resection procedures that remove the affected tissues, or a combination of both.
The modified Charles procedure is particularly useful for the treatment of advanced lower extremity lymphedema and provides definitive and long-term reduction of the excess tissue. This procedure removes all the involved subcutaneous fat and dysfunctional lymphatic tissue while preserving the underlying muscle. Because the muscles are preserved and the excess tissue weight is removed, the majority of patients experience significant functional improvement following surgery. Patients immediately experience relief of the additional weight following surgery. Patients are also free of skin infections that occur frequently in cases of chronic lymphedema. Many are happy to be able to wear normal clothing and restore their social lives that have been previously hampered by the extremity swelling. With the modified Charles procedure, there is no long-term recurrence of the lymphedema and this gives patients long-term assurance of their recovery.
Dr. Jeremy Sun – Plastic Surgeon
Through a multi-disciplinary team approach we can effectively identify, control and treat lymphedema. Early intervention ensures that maximum limb function is preserved.
Dr. Pearlie Tan – Plastic Surgeon
There is still so much unknown about lymphedema. Some shy away from the unknown. But this is an exciting area for basic science and clinical research.
Dr. Allen Wong – Plastic Surgeon
Lymphedema is now the next frontier for microsurgery. Using supermicrosurgery techniques, previously unsolvable problems like lymphedema can now be treated with elegant solutions like lymphatic bypass and lymph node transfers.
Dr. Ong Yee Siang – Plastic Surgeon
Lymphedema is a debilitating condition that requires multi-disciplinary care. This society would bring together healthcare and allied health professionals interested in this area to provide the best possible care for lymphedema patients.
Dr. Chong Tze Tec – Vascular Surgeon
Lymphedema is an often misunderstood disease that causes much untold suffering and morbidity to our patients. The formation of the Lymphedema Society of Singapore is most timely and needed for best practices and general awareness of this condition to disseminate. These professionals have led the field in Singapore with their expertise and interest. It represents a very positive step forward for lymphedema related activities going forward.
Dr. Jolie Hwee – Consultant Plastic Surgeon
Twenty percent of patients who undergo axillary lymph node clearance develop lymphedema, which is a chronic and progressive condition that significant impacts one’s quality of life. Immediate lymphatic reconstruction – performed at the time of lymph node dissection – is a promising surgical option that is increasingly utilised for the prevention of breast-cancer related lymphedema.
Dr. Julie Liana Hamzah – Breast Surgeon
Lymphedema is a complication that can affect patients who undergo axillary dissection as part of surgery for breast cancer and has a lifelong effect on the quality of life of our breast cancer survivors. Establishing a practice of close collaboration with our physio and occupational therapists and our plastic surgeons as well as empowerment of patients with the knowledge of early recognition of symptoms is the key to successful management of these patients.
Doris Lim – Physiotherapist
Lymphedema is a debilitating condition that impairs patient’s quality of life. Early recognition and appropriate intervention play a crucial role in improving patient’s clinic outcome and quality of life. Physiotherapy intervention includes Manual Lymphatic Drainage or Complex Decongestive Therapy, education on self care as well as prescribing use of appropriate compression garment for long term management.
Lily Chang – Physiotherapist
Self-care is paramount to prevent detoriation and complications in lymphedema. We have produced these videos to teach you how to apply compression bandaging at home and how to correctly wear your compression sleeves or stockings.
Dr. Liang Weihao – Plastic Surgeon
The emergence of advanced diagnostics and refined surgical techniques has greatly enhanced the effectiveness of lymphedema treatment. Patients today benefit from more precise interventions and improved recovery outcomes.
Dr. Pek Chong Han – Plastic Surgeon
The key features of lymphederma management are careful patient selection, good holistic management and surgery utilising both supermicrosurgery and debulking techniques.
Kavita Bhojwani – Physiotherapist
Timely and appropriate treatment of lymphedema can make a significant difference in a patient’s quality of life. Physiotherapists play a key role by guiding patients in self-care techniques, performing manual lymphatic drainage, and providing compression bandaging as well as proper pressure garment fitting to support long-term management.
Dr. Janna Joethy – Plastic Surgeon
Lymphedema is an age-old condition, yet its management has evolved dramatically—from traditional remedies to cutting-edge surgical and therapeutic options available today. This blend of old and new offers patients a broader range of effective treatments than ever before.
Yeo Kim Pin – Researcher
Every medical breakthrough starts with discovery in the lab. Turning scientific knowledge into clinical applications and, ultimately, commercial solutions requires collaboration across multiple sectors—research, healthcare, industry, and beyond.
Lim Hwee Ying – Researcher
Lymphatic research is crucial for uncovering new insights into the underlying mechanisms of lymphedema. A deeper understanding of its pathophysiology will pave the way for the development of innovative diagnostics and treatments—areas where options remain limited today.
Dr. Veronique Angeli – Research Professor
Advancing care for lymphedema patients begins with deepening our understanding of the lymphatic system. Ongoing research is essential to uncover new insights, develop innovative treatments, and ultimately improve outcomes for those living with this chronic condition.
Dr. Veronique Tan Kiak Mien – Breast Cancer Surgeon
Surgery and radiation therapy for breast cancer may result in lymphedema of the arm. Although uncommon, this condition is distressing to our patients who experience it. Today, there are many ways to effectively manage the discomfort of lymphedema. Early diagnosis is key.
Dr. Tan Mann Hong – Orthopaedic Oncologic Surgeon
The Lymphedema Society is the embodiment of the ideal multi disciplinary approach to managing the recalcitrant issue.
The assembly of surgical, medical and auxillary specialties aims to give the best care to lymphedema patients.
Dr. Tan Bien Keem – Plastic Surgeon
Lymphedema is often under-recognized and many individuals suffer quietly being uninformed. We want to reassure you that there are conservative and surgical treatments available.
Kou Seow Wei – Physiotherapist
Recent advancements in surgical techniques have expanded the treatment possibilities for lymphedema. Increasingly, the emphasis is on early or preventive intervention to slow disease progression and enhance quality of life. Minimally invasive procedures now offer effective results with quicker recovery times and fewer side effects.
Dr. Adrian Ooi – Plastic Surgeon
Vascularized Lymph Node Transfer (VLNT) is one of the most advanced surgical options for treating both primary and secondary lymphedema. This procedure involves transplanting healthy lymph nodes from a non-essential area of the body to the affected region, encouraging the formation of new lymphatic pathways—essentially replacing like with like. There are several potential donor sites, and your surgeon will help determine the most suitable options for your condition. While results take time to appear, they can be remarkably transformative.
Dr. Timothy Shim – Plastic Surgeon
Lymphedema is a chronic and often debilitating condition that is most effectively managed when detected early. It results from blocked lymphatic flow, leading to progressive swelling, recurrent infections, and skin thickening.
One advanced treatment option is lymphovenous bypass—a supermicrosurgical technique that connects lymphatic vessels to nearby venules to restore drainage. This minimally invasive procedure is most beneficial in the early stages and carries low risk.
Nancy Ang – Occupational Therapist
Lymphedema can often interfere with a person’s ability to carry out meaningful daily activities and roles. As occupational therapists trained in lymphedema care, we help clients incorporate self-management strategies into their routines, empowering them to regain confidence and maintain or even enhance their independence in everyday life.
Saraswathi Nagalingam – Specialist Nurse Manager
Our lymphedema service began in 1992 through a collaboration between breast care nurses and rehabilitative therapists to support breast cancer patients. From the outset, we focused on early education—empowering patients right after surgery with self-care practices and group exercise sessions. This proactive approach, alongside advances like sentinel node biopsy, has led to promising outcomes in reducing lymphedema cases.
Kou Seow Wei – Physiotherapist
Effective lymphedema care begins with self-management. Consistently wearing your compression garment, practicing self-drainage, and staying active through regular exercise are vital steps in keeping symptoms under control.