By Tatjana van der Krabben
A while back I wrote about my new attempts to work on my fatigue and winter circulation issues through Chinese medicine. In my case that includes acupuncture. Note: acupuncture is NOT recommended in lymphedema and this advice has been extrapolated to lipedema. I can only speak for myself and I personally do not experience adverse effects. Other elements of traditional Chinese medicine will also be addressed.
Of course I jumped the gun and tried to figure out my symptoms myself. I already figured out that spleen deficiency wasn’t all there was too it*. I was thinking adrenal fatigue. Or, as put in this context: kidney deficiency. Traditional Chinese medicine doesn’t differentiate between kidneys and adrenal glands as such. I thought I had it pegged: it explained fatigue, comes with symptoms like dizziness, tinnitus and back problems. With the body functions relying on heat from kidney qi, I figured there was my answer.
Although my present therapist being willing to look at other options than the ever blamed spleen, she rightfully did stick to her own path to diagnosis. It was a close call. She was almost inclined to go with kidney deficiency, but the truth is, I have more liver deficiency symptoms as it is. Turns out, even the hours of the day you are struck with fatigue and the exact location of your headaches are indicators of the source of the problem.
With more than 50% of the estrogen metabolism taking place in in the liver and with its other major job of processing toxins in mind, that’s not a crazy place to look for clues. Although…it’s technically not correct to copy and paste our Western idea of the liver onto the traditional Chinese one. When pointing at an organ’s name in this context, one best looks at the description: the whole of the described functions, thus labeled with an organ’s name, is telling you what it’s actually pointing at. I took the Wikipedia definition, because it’s quite readable and helps you see it in terms of functions, more conceptual: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liver_(Chinese_medicine).
The liver:
• governs 'unclogging and deflation' of qi and emotions. The free flow of qi in turn will ensure the free flow of blood, digestion, and water.
o the free flow of qi and blood is particular significant since traditional Chinese medicine stipulates that stagnation of that flow will cause pain.
o by association via its respective element each zàng organ is embracing a certain emotion. The free flow of these five (and other) emotions is thus linked to the unrestrained circulation of the qi of the zàng organs.
• 'stores' blood
• opens into the eyes
• governs the tendons
• reflects in the nails
• governs anger
• houses the hun (魂, "Ethereal Soul")
What is this ‘storing of blood’? In quite plain English, it’s to be understood as follows:
The liver stores the blood. The liver is considered a storage area for blood when blood is not being used for physical activity. These periods of rest contribute to the body's restorative processes. During exercise, the blood is released to nourish the tendons and muscles.
This function is also intimately associated with the menstrual cycle; the liver maintains an adequate blood supply and regulates the timing and comfort of menstruation. Any dysfunctions in the menstrual cycle are almost always treated through the regulation of liver blood, qi, or yin.
When liver qi is stagnant (a very common condition), a person experiences irritability, tightness in the chest, and, in a woman, symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. When liver blood is deficient, symptoms such as dry eyes and skin, pallor, and lack of menstruation can occur. (Source: http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/chinese/yin-organs4.htm)
So, what rings bells? Circulation, reference to digestion and water circulation, mood swings, dry skin, bad nails and paleness and my dry eyes driving my MAD. I was prescribed artificial teardrops and was about to max out on my daily recommended dose when I turned to my therapist – that dry.
Treatment
Through acupuncture mostly energy enhancing points where selected to help boost my liver and counteract the fatigue. My circulation issues were addressed with a moxa lamp pointed at the abdomen. Nifty thing. Does more than make you feel all warm and toasty. It is said to alleviate pains, reduce inflammation, improve blood circulation and metabolism. Not a needle in sight for that one. The moxa lamp is also referred to as TDP lamp. It’s challenging to find information that is objective; most online information is linked to a site that is also selling them. This one is at least not linked to a web shop: http://www.livingwellpdx.com/TDP_Lamp.html. I still need to self-test a little, but I can say it goes beyond warming yourself in the moment. The effects tend to last. Also, with connective tissue massage (a whole other story) I get from my edema therapist, my abdomen where the lamp is pointed is the softest and suddenly requires the least attention. That’s interesting. So, I’ve ordered my own lamp and will use that for further self-testing. Hopefully it can also alleviate lipedema pain, or at least joint pains, but that’s a question mark at this point!
When my toes get that purplish-grey look, like death not quite warmed over, additional needles are used to make the circulation take that extra jump all the way towards the toes. I also went from 1000mg of cayenne pepper to 500mg, because although cayenne is warming, too much could have the opposite effect according to traditional Chinese medicine. Funny thing is, it’s working.
Last but not least two tiny magnets are taped to the top of the instep of my feet. That’s a type of acupressure – skin is not punctured – to boost circulation all the way down to my feet. They usually last a couple of days. They either fall off or begin to irritate a little. The little magnets prolong the effect of the treatment.
In the past, when focusing on circulation and the spleen, I would experience a brief pick me up after each treatment. Its fleeting effect kept me dangling in the same spot, not bringing me definitive improvement. The shift of focus to the liver has brought progress, possibly supported by a mild fall and winter so far. Although I feel it’s safe to say this is going somewhere. Any and all temperatures below about 15o C (59o F) affect me and not in a good way. We’ve had plenty of that already, including my worst combo: cold dampness. Yikes!
Currently, we’re looking at a way to take things up a notch and aim for further improvement, but also to enable the body into self-support. For that, my therapist again gave me her copy of Healing with Whole Foods – Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition by Paul Pitchford (2002). I found the following, paraphrased:
To address insufficient yin of the liver, mung beans, mung sprouts, chlorophyll-rich foods, cucumber, tofu and millet are recommended, as well as fresh cold-pressed flax oil and extracted oils of borage, evening primrose and black currant seeds. In this context seaweed, watercress and plum improve water metabolism. Also, taking sufficient liquids in general is helpful. Improving the kidney yin function is always beneficial in cases of liver yin deficiency; aloe vera gel is among the best kidney yin herbal tonics for building liver yin.
When the liver blood is deficient, this is a yin aspect that needs to be addressed separately. It can be built up with blood tonics such as spirulina and other chlorophyll-rich foods, dark grapes, blackberries, huckleberries, raspberries and blackstrap molasses. Helpful herbs include dang gui root (Angelica sinensis), prepared rehmannia root (Rehmannia glutinosa), peony root and yellow dock root (Rumex crispus). The three Chinese herbs dang gui, rehmannia and peony can be used singly, but are more effective when taken together in equal parts.
Frankly, I’ve only started looking into these additional remedies. Berries like raspberries are currently out of season in these parts and I tend to watch my fruit sugar intake these days, although I love them. I want to look into cold-pressed flax oil, since that comes recommended for numerous things. I started out with a chlorophyll-rich supplement: chlorella. Why chlorella? For a very simple reason: when checking out spirulina, I saw chlorella too and it was much cheaper. When going through supplements and herbs like I do, all coming out of pocket, I do watch that aspect, too! The other thing I intend to do is have a seaweed salad more often. I finally found dried seaweed without green dye to make chuka wakame, so I can happily indulge myself. Yum!
At the same time I stopped taking Rhodiola, that was initially recommended to me to help defy the fatigue. After I started taking that, I found it was more so recommended for adrenal fatigue. It did little for me; only more confirmation for me I need to go with the liver issues as pointed out by my therapist**. The chlorella started working within days. All in all I now experience less headaches, slightly less dry eyes, I sleep like a baby and feel slightly less drained. My toe nails are also less brittle, but that already followed from the initial acupuncture treatments. Best part: it’s end of December and my feet DON’T kill me for a change, despite the cold. All baby steps, but greatly welcomed.
It’s a long road. The dry eyes have been bothering me for about 15 years and this bad, where medication is required, for about 2 years now. That should give a clue how long this has been undermining my health and how much we do on will power and not much else. Sounds familiar, ladies?
* http://blog.lipese.com/2013/09/traditional-chinese-medicine-and.html
** This blog describes a part of my personal journey towards improved health. I don’t endorse acupuncture or unsupervised administering of herbs and/or supplements. Liver deficiency was a diagnosis based on my individual symptoms. Deficiency and fatigue are generally linked to lipedema, but causes are individual.
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Central Cleaning, Self-empowerment, and Walking Well One Step at a Time
By Dawn Henderson with Maggie McCarey
Dawn Henderson is one of our faith-driven forum members who keeps lipedema where it belongs as a part of her life. She has reported some compelling success and we have asked her to share her protocol with us. Ultimately, regardless of the surgeries, diets, etc we lipese embrace, we all have to find what works for us; sometimes in that process, we stumble onto something that might work for many of us. Dawn has discovered something called “central cleaning,” which is a very exciting possibility for many of us, and she has also found the right eating plan for her. Dawn’s Lifestyle Plan. Read about Dawn’s success in her own words.
Having lipo-lymphedema has been very challenging for me. I was diagnosed within the past six months with this, but have had this since I was a teenager. I wanted to talk today about how a total lifestyle change is allowing improvement in my health and my life.
One area that has made a difference is the food I eat. I used to eat processed and fast food a lot. It has taken me a while, but I now I love to eat fresh veggies and fruits. I also cook most meals at home if I am able to. I also love lots of chicken. I am working on adding fish. I have never really been too fond of fish, but I do enjoy salmon. I eat very little if any salt on my food. The salt causes pain and inflammation in my legs. I do treat myself with chocolate once and a while. I do not deny myself of the food that I want, that way I do not feel deprived. (Editorial note: whoop, whoop, whoop!)
Another area that has made a difference to me is exercise. Last year I could barely get around. I now get outside and take short walks. I also could not get into a car without my daughter's help. Now I am able to get in and out of a car by myself. My goal is to be able to drive by April of 2014. There are two types of exercises that I do that help me. Walking is one of these exercises. The other is called 'central clearing'. I learned this from my physical therapist. It is doing massage and movement on the sides of my neck, collar bone, under arms, shoulder rolls, circular rubbing of my belly, pressing different areas of the belly while I do deep breathing, holding each leg up while doing ankle pumps, and then doing leg lifts while sitting. This has really helped me in loosing the skin on my legs. They used to be really tight and heavy. It allows me to get around better. In the past six months I have lost three inches off of my legs.
I know that doesn't seem like a lot, but my life has improved so much and will continue to improve. (Editorial note: It is A LOT to take responsibility for your own healing)
Three inches is a lot, Dawn! And in the right direction. We were so intrigued by this “central cleaning” idea at Lipese, we got busy researching it. Hey, if yoga breathing can make you lose weight, why not pressuring the body to clear it of inflammation.
We didn’t find much in the mainstream literature but we did find a tantalizing article written by people who practice Eastern medicine. (essentially seeing non-surgical and non-pharmaceutical support for the body to heal itself). In the last several years, many Western modalities have begun to embrace Eastern medicine. Cranial-sacral therapy, sound therapy, massage, Donna Eden techniques, polarity, etc. I am glad to hear that “central clearing” has found its way into physical therapy protocol and language.
The following article on embraces both Western and Eastern medicine to gain optimum healing effect:
OPENING THE ENERGY BODY TO CLEAR THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
The Central Nervous System (CNS), the brain and spinal cord, is the major collection of nerve tissue in the body. The CNS is the major distribution network for the energy of the nervous system for feeding energy to all the tissues and organs in our system. The CNS clearing process is an important step…. Grounding… is affected in a number of ways from the CNS Clearing process. The spinal cord, at the level of the sacrum, connects directly to the sciatic nerves, the biggest nerves in the body. If, as we have found, an open pathway of energy through the nerves enhances body sensation and presence in the body, then opening this pathway through the brain, spinal cord and all the way through down the sciatic nerves gives us a remarkable, felt connection to the earth, to grounding, from the head to foot.
That's a lot! We use this connection to help people who tend to become overwhelmed by their emotions a way to feel grounded and embodied without going through their visceral core where strong emotions tend to be felt. Directional flow and emotional modulation- This same process establishes a directional flow of energy through the nervous system, the body and the auric field which we call "downward flow." Downward flow enhances ones grounding and bodily presence and counters the upward flow of fight/flight and anxiety (SNS over-arousal). It also helps bring our awareness down into the rest of the body if we tend to live in our head.
This article can be read in total, and with Eastern medicine description, at the following site:
www.pathwaysforhealing.com/node/228. (unnamed author )
In Cranial Sacral therapy, we find emotions hidden in pockets, called Energy Cysts by Dr. John Upledger, hidden all through the body. I witnessed an event in one of my Upledger classes, which always amazes me when I think about it. A fellow student was having mouth work done and when a cranial release occurred, the woman began singing opera in the most angelic voice. She had never sung because she “couldn’t carry a tune in a basket.” So yes 3 inches, and soft tissue, not hard, painful, and swollen, is a lot of right direction. DNA is an uncharted frontier as is the concept that we have perfect bodies in an imperfect world. Thank you Dawn for this wonderful testimony to your hope in action as you exercise faith and trust in finding you place in God’s design.
Dawn Henderson is one of our faith-driven forum members who keeps lipedema where it belongs as a part of her life. She has reported some compelling success and we have asked her to share her protocol with us. Ultimately, regardless of the surgeries, diets, etc we lipese embrace, we all have to find what works for us; sometimes in that process, we stumble onto something that might work for many of us. Dawn has discovered something called “central cleaning,” which is a very exciting possibility for many of us, and she has also found the right eating plan for her. Dawn’s Lifestyle Plan. Read about Dawn’s success in her own words.
Having lipo-lymphedema has been very challenging for me. I was diagnosed within the past six months with this, but have had this since I was a teenager. I wanted to talk today about how a total lifestyle change is allowing improvement in my health and my life.
One area that has made a difference is the food I eat. I used to eat processed and fast food a lot. It has taken me a while, but I now I love to eat fresh veggies and fruits. I also cook most meals at home if I am able to. I also love lots of chicken. I am working on adding fish. I have never really been too fond of fish, but I do enjoy salmon. I eat very little if any salt on my food. The salt causes pain and inflammation in my legs. I do treat myself with chocolate once and a while. I do not deny myself of the food that I want, that way I do not feel deprived. (Editorial note: whoop, whoop, whoop!)
Another area that has made a difference to me is exercise. Last year I could barely get around. I now get outside and take short walks. I also could not get into a car without my daughter's help. Now I am able to get in and out of a car by myself. My goal is to be able to drive by April of 2014. There are two types of exercises that I do that help me. Walking is one of these exercises. The other is called 'central clearing'. I learned this from my physical therapist. It is doing massage and movement on the sides of my neck, collar bone, under arms, shoulder rolls, circular rubbing of my belly, pressing different areas of the belly while I do deep breathing, holding each leg up while doing ankle pumps, and then doing leg lifts while sitting. This has really helped me in loosing the skin on my legs. They used to be really tight and heavy. It allows me to get around better. In the past six months I have lost three inches off of my legs.
I know that doesn't seem like a lot, but my life has improved so much and will continue to improve. (Editorial note: It is A LOT to take responsibility for your own healing)
Three inches is a lot, Dawn! And in the right direction. We were so intrigued by this “central cleaning” idea at Lipese, we got busy researching it. Hey, if yoga breathing can make you lose weight, why not pressuring the body to clear it of inflammation.
We didn’t find much in the mainstream literature but we did find a tantalizing article written by people who practice Eastern medicine. (essentially seeing non-surgical and non-pharmaceutical support for the body to heal itself). In the last several years, many Western modalities have begun to embrace Eastern medicine. Cranial-sacral therapy, sound therapy, massage, Donna Eden techniques, polarity, etc. I am glad to hear that “central clearing” has found its way into physical therapy protocol and language.
The following article on embraces both Western and Eastern medicine to gain optimum healing effect:
OPENING THE ENERGY BODY TO CLEAR THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
The Central Nervous System (CNS), the brain and spinal cord, is the major collection of nerve tissue in the body. The CNS is the major distribution network for the energy of the nervous system for feeding energy to all the tissues and organs in our system. The CNS clearing process is an important step…. Grounding… is affected in a number of ways from the CNS Clearing process. The spinal cord, at the level of the sacrum, connects directly to the sciatic nerves, the biggest nerves in the body. If, as we have found, an open pathway of energy through the nerves enhances body sensation and presence in the body, then opening this pathway through the brain, spinal cord and all the way through down the sciatic nerves gives us a remarkable, felt connection to the earth, to grounding, from the head to foot.
That's a lot! We use this connection to help people who tend to become overwhelmed by their emotions a way to feel grounded and embodied without going through their visceral core where strong emotions tend to be felt. Directional flow and emotional modulation- This same process establishes a directional flow of energy through the nervous system, the body and the auric field which we call "downward flow." Downward flow enhances ones grounding and bodily presence and counters the upward flow of fight/flight and anxiety (SNS over-arousal). It also helps bring our awareness down into the rest of the body if we tend to live in our head.
This article can be read in total, and with Eastern medicine description, at the following site:
www.pathwaysforhealing.com/node/228. (unnamed author )
In Cranial Sacral therapy, we find emotions hidden in pockets, called Energy Cysts by Dr. John Upledger, hidden all through the body. I witnessed an event in one of my Upledger classes, which always amazes me when I think about it. A fellow student was having mouth work done and when a cranial release occurred, the woman began singing opera in the most angelic voice. She had never sung because she “couldn’t carry a tune in a basket.” So yes 3 inches, and soft tissue, not hard, painful, and swollen, is a lot of right direction. DNA is an uncharted frontier as is the concept that we have perfect bodies in an imperfect world. Thank you Dawn for this wonderful testimony to your hope in action as you exercise faith and trust in finding you place in God’s design.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Liposuction – Please tread lightly
By Tatjana van der Krabben
Every time people inquire which surgeon I saw or compliment me on the visible progress I made since my liposuction, while sharing their own plans, hopes and dreams in that direction, I tell them to tread lightly. My answer often surprises them, considering the obvious progress I made, but there are several reasons to urge for caution. It’s not all rainbows and song. Here are a few misconceptions that I wish to address.
“Liposuction is a cure for lipedema.”
This claim doesn’t come from the medical field per se, but patients sometimes say this. Liposuction is not a cure. It couldn’t be a cure. You don’t need to be a doctor to come to that conclusion: fat is extracted. No more, no less. Current insights have revealed it’s at least in part genetic, in part responding to hormones and in part to lifestyle. That’s what’s known at this point. With your full genetic package intact post-op and the same old hormones, you’ll be anything but cured…
“The fat that was removed, will not return.”
Technically true and misleading. The very fat that was extracted was disposed of post-op, obviously, in those canisters. So that fat will not come back to haunt you. However, your remaining fat cells can continue to swell. There’s also speculation new fat cells can be formed. Not that farfetched, considering your adipose tissue also contains stem cells that can theoretically become any type of cell. When regaining it will likely start in arms, belly and/or back, but eventually adipose mass can also increase on your legs. I met people who experienced that…
“Only this or that doctor can perform liposuction safely.”
There are absolutely dozens of skilled doctors out there who can do this safely with lipedema patients. I hear of - for me - new names on a regular basis. And those doctors in turn train other doctors, who…. Etc. It’s getting a less exclusive area of expertise, although the geographic spread is very uneven, with Germany as the absolute hotspot. Most doctors work for private clinics and have very good use for this claim. Presenting yourself as the absolute top of the bill is good advertising. It’s also fuelled by patients, providing raving reviews of their surgeon, leaving the impression that that particular surgeon is the (only) person to go see.
There are exceptions: many doctors refuse to perform liposuction in case of advanced lipedema and/or combined health issues. For these people it can seriously be slim pickings when searching for a surgeon.
“It’s safe.”
As safe as any sur-ge-ry. Don’t ever forget it’s a surgical procedure. The fact you’ll most likely be treated as an outpatient, doesn’t mean it’s not a surgery. They worked on the procedure to minimize risks, yes, but any surgery has its risks. This one too.
Also, since your primary won’t be involved, most likely you’ll have to look around for a surgeon yourself. It’s costly. I see people looking at expenses before track record. Do they check your medical history? Do they explain what it entails, what you can expect? Or are they smooth talking you into doing this? And what if there are complications post-op? Will your primary help you or refer you back to your surgeon, even if that’s in another country or across the country? Ask questions. Come prepared.
“The surgery will provide cosmetic improvement.”
Yes – no – maybe. It takes skill to work on a large lady. A lot of skill. I’ve seen uneven results. Also, only so much fat can be extracted. Sometimes choices are made to bring as much relief as possible to one particular area. Think proportions: smaller legs will make your behind, hips, belly possibly look larger. Or the surgery will finally get the proportions right for you - that could also happen. It’s all very individual. Finally, you could be left with loose or even sagging skin. Some doctors will focus more so on providing relief, others take more interest in the cosmetic side. So even the approach varies.
Super cosmetic results are usually only achieved in stage 1 lipedema or early stage 2 with good skin elasticity. Meaning: I don’t have a superb cosmetic result either. I’m happy, but my expectations were realistic. So while someone recently said I should look into a tummy tuck, I accept the somewhat loose skin. Especially since it seems a bit crazy to have a special liposuction procedure to spare the lymphatic system and next risk lymph damage through skin surgery. No, thank you.
“I will never have to wear compression again.”
That remains to be seen. If you needed compression pre-op you could still be needing compression after the healing period. It’s a wait and see kind of thing. Maybe you could do with lighter compression or could afford some cheating. Maybe you’re so lucky you can give up compression completely, but don’t assume that’s ‘normal’.
“After liposuction you will need to wear compression 24/7 for the rest of your life, or else your legs will start ‘growing’ again.”
Thankfully that’s not true! The first few weeks post-op (exact recommended duration varies per clinic) you will have to do so. By then you’ll be very, very happy to toss them aside for the night. Seriously! After that it will be limited to the daytime and after your healing period it’s a question mark what you’ll need. That’s very personal.
Your legs could ‘grow’ again. True. That has to do with how stable your lipedema is. More likely causes would be hormones and lifestyle. Not pointing the finger here! If your doctor doesn’t know (much) about lipedema, you could be getting poor medical advice on your lifestyle. You could be under the impression you’re doing everything right, while another approach would be far better in your case. It’s a common problem, I’m afraid… There are many misconceptions on that as well and contradicting recommendations, even among doctors and therapists specialized in lipedema.
“How much weight can I expect to lose?”
Don’t expect the scales to show a plummeting number. One liter of fat weighs about a pound and only so much will be extracted. Substantial weight loss is sometimes reported. Post-op improved mobility can sometimes do that for you.
What can you realistically expect?
Literature on the benefits of liposuction is widely available nowadays. That means already many have been successfully operated on. Improved looks and/or contours and improved mobility are mostly reported, although not necessarily in that order. The average patient generally reports progress, or great progress, even. Perception does play a part here, of course. The other factor is your specific health status. Are you a stage 1, 2 or 3? How active are you? How stable is your weight currently? What’s your plan to maintain the surgically obtained result?
Liposuction can be a shortcut to potentially great improvement. All else is a matter of perseverance, trial and error. That doesn’t make the alternative or traditional route less valid or less important, or mean that we should all look at liposuction. Not everybody can afford liposuction, is willing to try a surgical solution or is a suitable candidate. Plus, if you want to hang on to your results, you better come up with a lifestyle plan you will be able to stick with, if you haven’t already. There’s your perseverance, trial and error again.
In short: you could get a lot out of it, but you’re not out of the woods post-op. So tread lightly, please. I did! My surgically obtained result is still intact. That’s 3 years since the first surgery and 1 year since the last. That’s all effort, not dumb luck or an incorporated effect from the surgery. Sorry…
PS. Please don’t shoot the messenger…
Every time people inquire which surgeon I saw or compliment me on the visible progress I made since my liposuction, while sharing their own plans, hopes and dreams in that direction, I tell them to tread lightly. My answer often surprises them, considering the obvious progress I made, but there are several reasons to urge for caution. It’s not all rainbows and song. Here are a few misconceptions that I wish to address.
“Liposuction is a cure for lipedema.”
This claim doesn’t come from the medical field per se, but patients sometimes say this. Liposuction is not a cure. It couldn’t be a cure. You don’t need to be a doctor to come to that conclusion: fat is extracted. No more, no less. Current insights have revealed it’s at least in part genetic, in part responding to hormones and in part to lifestyle. That’s what’s known at this point. With your full genetic package intact post-op and the same old hormones, you’ll be anything but cured…
“The fat that was removed, will not return.”
Technically true and misleading. The very fat that was extracted was disposed of post-op, obviously, in those canisters. So that fat will not come back to haunt you. However, your remaining fat cells can continue to swell. There’s also speculation new fat cells can be formed. Not that farfetched, considering your adipose tissue also contains stem cells that can theoretically become any type of cell. When regaining it will likely start in arms, belly and/or back, but eventually adipose mass can also increase on your legs. I met people who experienced that…
“Only this or that doctor can perform liposuction safely.”
There are absolutely dozens of skilled doctors out there who can do this safely with lipedema patients. I hear of - for me - new names on a regular basis. And those doctors in turn train other doctors, who…. Etc. It’s getting a less exclusive area of expertise, although the geographic spread is very uneven, with Germany as the absolute hotspot. Most doctors work for private clinics and have very good use for this claim. Presenting yourself as the absolute top of the bill is good advertising. It’s also fuelled by patients, providing raving reviews of their surgeon, leaving the impression that that particular surgeon is the (only) person to go see.
There are exceptions: many doctors refuse to perform liposuction in case of advanced lipedema and/or combined health issues. For these people it can seriously be slim pickings when searching for a surgeon.
“It’s safe.”
As safe as any sur-ge-ry. Don’t ever forget it’s a surgical procedure. The fact you’ll most likely be treated as an outpatient, doesn’t mean it’s not a surgery. They worked on the procedure to minimize risks, yes, but any surgery has its risks. This one too.
Also, since your primary won’t be involved, most likely you’ll have to look around for a surgeon yourself. It’s costly. I see people looking at expenses before track record. Do they check your medical history? Do they explain what it entails, what you can expect? Or are they smooth talking you into doing this? And what if there are complications post-op? Will your primary help you or refer you back to your surgeon, even if that’s in another country or across the country? Ask questions. Come prepared.
“The surgery will provide cosmetic improvement.”
Yes – no – maybe. It takes skill to work on a large lady. A lot of skill. I’ve seen uneven results. Also, only so much fat can be extracted. Sometimes choices are made to bring as much relief as possible to one particular area. Think proportions: smaller legs will make your behind, hips, belly possibly look larger. Or the surgery will finally get the proportions right for you - that could also happen. It’s all very individual. Finally, you could be left with loose or even sagging skin. Some doctors will focus more so on providing relief, others take more interest in the cosmetic side. So even the approach varies.
Super cosmetic results are usually only achieved in stage 1 lipedema or early stage 2 with good skin elasticity. Meaning: I don’t have a superb cosmetic result either. I’m happy, but my expectations were realistic. So while someone recently said I should look into a tummy tuck, I accept the somewhat loose skin. Especially since it seems a bit crazy to have a special liposuction procedure to spare the lymphatic system and next risk lymph damage through skin surgery. No, thank you.
“I will never have to wear compression again.”
That remains to be seen. If you needed compression pre-op you could still be needing compression after the healing period. It’s a wait and see kind of thing. Maybe you could do with lighter compression or could afford some cheating. Maybe you’re so lucky you can give up compression completely, but don’t assume that’s ‘normal’.
“After liposuction you will need to wear compression 24/7 for the rest of your life, or else your legs will start ‘growing’ again.”
Thankfully that’s not true! The first few weeks post-op (exact recommended duration varies per clinic) you will have to do so. By then you’ll be very, very happy to toss them aside for the night. Seriously! After that it will be limited to the daytime and after your healing period it’s a question mark what you’ll need. That’s very personal.
Your legs could ‘grow’ again. True. That has to do with how stable your lipedema is. More likely causes would be hormones and lifestyle. Not pointing the finger here! If your doctor doesn’t know (much) about lipedema, you could be getting poor medical advice on your lifestyle. You could be under the impression you’re doing everything right, while another approach would be far better in your case. It’s a common problem, I’m afraid… There are many misconceptions on that as well and contradicting recommendations, even among doctors and therapists specialized in lipedema.
“How much weight can I expect to lose?”
Don’t expect the scales to show a plummeting number. One liter of fat weighs about a pound and only so much will be extracted. Substantial weight loss is sometimes reported. Post-op improved mobility can sometimes do that for you.
What can you realistically expect?
Literature on the benefits of liposuction is widely available nowadays. That means already many have been successfully operated on. Improved looks and/or contours and improved mobility are mostly reported, although not necessarily in that order. The average patient generally reports progress, or great progress, even. Perception does play a part here, of course. The other factor is your specific health status. Are you a stage 1, 2 or 3? How active are you? How stable is your weight currently? What’s your plan to maintain the surgically obtained result?
Liposuction can be a shortcut to potentially great improvement. All else is a matter of perseverance, trial and error. That doesn’t make the alternative or traditional route less valid or less important, or mean that we should all look at liposuction. Not everybody can afford liposuction, is willing to try a surgical solution or is a suitable candidate. Plus, if you want to hang on to your results, you better come up with a lifestyle plan you will be able to stick with, if you haven’t already. There’s your perseverance, trial and error again.
In short: you could get a lot out of it, but you’re not out of the woods post-op. So tread lightly, please. I did! My surgically obtained result is still intact. That’s 3 years since the first surgery and 1 year since the last. That’s all effort, not dumb luck or an incorporated effect from the surgery. Sorry…
PS. Please don’t shoot the messenger…
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