The patient had cancerous lymph nodes removed from under her arm so lymph nodes were taken from her stomach then transplanted under her arm.

Jane Dinnan, 51, beat cancer by undergoing chemotherapy and radiation. Just when she thought her ordeal was over she developed lymphedema in her right arm, which is a build up of fluid.

"That gets stuck in your arm and it causes your arm to swell, your hand to swell. In my case my breast is also swollen," Dinnan explained.

She says she's in constant pain and her arm feels like lead. Dinnan  wears a compression sleeve to help with the swelling.

But help is on the way. Reconstructive plastic surgeon, Dr. Marga Massey, will perform Jane's vascularized lymph node transfer.

The procedure begins by harvesting lymph nodes from Jane’s groin. A flap of skin is removed, giving Jane an instant tummy tuck.

"So you take a little community of lymph nodes still attached to one another. The soft tissue surrounding those lymph nodes have cells that have growth factors.  With time over 12 to 24 months after recovery with adequate massage and maintenance of your arm, new lymph channels will grow down into the hand," Dr. Massey said.

Vascularized lymph node transfer is more popular in France. Dr. Corrine Becker, from Paris, is a specialist and is a consultant on the case. Dr. Massey has worked with Dr. Becker many times.

Jane's right breast was also removed. The skin and fat flap will also be used to construct a new breast. This procedure is not a cure for lymphedema, but the doctors are hopeful.

"Our anticipated outcome for Jane would be that she won't have a breast that swells and becomes heavy and that her arm won't be as swollen or feel as heavy," Dr. Massey said.   

Jane came through the surgery well and will spend about four days in the hospital 

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