Lipedema is an enormous burden for many of those affected – with chronic pain, restricted mobility and a major impact on quality of life. Svenja shares her personal story in this interview – and openly describes how different her two pregnancies were with and without lipedema treatment.
How did you realise you had lipedema?
I first heard of lipedema in 2019 – two months after the birth of my daughter. For years before that I had suffered from voluminous thighs that simply wouldn't slim down despite exercise and diet. I did regular Pilates and strength training, but my legs never looked trained.
At 23, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's. At that time I also noticed the typical nodules on my shins – a symptom I only later connected with lipedema.
How did your diagnosis unfold?
After my first pregnancy, I came across a newspaper article about lipedema and immediately thought: 'I might have that too.' A phlebologist I then visited was not very empathetic and said I was 'just built that way' and it was 'just a fashionable diagnosis'.
Disappointed but not defeated, I continued researching and found the med-plast clinic. There Dr. Masumbuku confirmed the diagnosis and took away my uncertainty.
What symptoms did you have in everyday life?
I felt insecure and uncomfortable in my body. My legs felt like a foreign object to me. I starved myself in an unhealthy way trying to lose weight, and I was not doing well emotionally. I thought the pain, the pressure sensitivity, the frequent bruising were normal – I didn't know anything different. Looking back, that was already a significant loss of quality of life.
Why did you decide on liposuction?
As soon as I knew I had lipedema, I wanted to do something about it. The illness finally had a name – and I had an opponent. Dr. Masumbuku gave me an excellent consultation and informed me about conservative measures.
But it was not a permanent solution, and so it became clear to me fairly quickly that I wanted to pursue lipedema liposuction. I had no major doubts. There was something that could help – so that would be the right path for me.
How did the lipedema surgery and healing process go?
Overall I look back positively on my four surgeries. The first one on my thighs was, however, the most painful – perhaps because I hadn't experienced anything like it before. My circulation had problems, also due to the underestimated fluid requirements after surgery. The further procedures were much more manageable.
Surprising was how pronounced the post-operative discolouration and swelling were, but that is temporary and the result makes everything worthwhile. I would do it again every time!
What would you recommend to others with lipedema?
"I would wholeheartedly recommend med-plast here, the place where my new life essentially began. I can never thank Dr. Masumbuku and the wonderful team enough."
I would definitely advise going to a consultation at a trusted clinic and finding out about the options available. Advice on financing is also provided, and you can find out whether an application for cost coverage by the health insurer would be worthwhile.
We wish Svenja and her family all the very best and are glad that she can now begin a new chapter with her gained quality of life.