5 years after liposuction for lipedema

Oh, you love liposuction for lipedema. The panacea, which is advertised almost morbidly on one side and strains the hope of so many. 

In 2015, after years of desperation, I underwent three liposuctions, in which 12 liters of fat were removed. Both mine attending physician, as well as I are as neutral as possible and approached the topic with cautious optimism and I would not recommend it to you otherwise. It is Russian roulette, like many other surgeries that relieve symptoms but do not cure the cause.

From diagnosis to the operating table

The lipedema community is growing steadily and today you can find more information on all sorts of topics related to lipedema and especially liposuctions. Many open an Instagram account to be followed on the journey from the fresh diagnosis to the surgery appointment and to share their experiences.

But does this mean that knowledge is so much more accessible now than it was at the beginning of social media?

Yes and no, because they Information violence The newly diagnosed seems to run over and instead of making them smarter how to deal with the situation now, they don't see the forest for all the liposuctions.

Every Rölleken is anners

Before and after pictures are almost the order of the day, but what are they really good for? You see legs that are not your own of people who lead a different life than you. They eat differently, weigh more or less, maybe do sports or not, small, large, old, young, shortly after the diagnosis, 40 years after her, ...

Do you notice something? Every experience is different, every pain sensation and, above all, every result. Don't such pictures actually increase the pressure on you to want such a result? And if it doesn't happen now, what then? Is there an unnecessary disappointment spreading or are you strong enough to accept a random outcome?

I'm so cruelly honest on this subject because I have to be. For everyone who doesn't dare to be. Because they exist and they regularly say thank you for being heard in public. It is not at all easy to assert yourself against other people who have been operated on, who sometimes do not want to allow deviating experiences in addition to their own. You yourself are a new person, everything supi-dupi and now someone else is not feeling that way and you want to take away the flawless shine of the operative method? Pooh!

Criticism undesirable

Oh, of course I'm exaggerating it here, but if I hadn't already experienced it and heard from other bloggers, I probably wouldn't have to write this here. It is by far not the majority, but frighteningly many, so that you can clearly feel the icy headwind.

Some people then tell you that you would deprive other affected people of the hope of a better life. Does that mean in translation that negative or mixed experiences are not desired? Especially with popular doctors? That they should be kept silent so that ... what exactly? The height of fall remains so uncomfortably high if everything doesn't go according to plan? We are all adults and should be fully informed about everything when we get involved. Or do you want to buy a house without knowing what's in the basement? Well, that would be exciting, but that's not the point now. Maybe, next time.

Do you know what I notice now? I got bogged down and with this article I haven't got where I actually wanted to go. But probably all of the previous was much more important than what is now.

My experiences and findings five years after liposuction for lipedema

  1. How did you feel about the liposuction?
    In my opinion, these were very tough weeks. I was operated on in quick succession within half a year and I wouldn't do it anymore. It was very exhausting for me and in the recovery room shortly after the operations I had to struggle with my circulation. Everyone seems to be able to cope with this differently.

    Here is the article on my liposuction.
  2. Are you symptom free?
    No. I was pain-free for about three quarters of a year after I was out of the roughest healing phase. After that, very quietly and gradually a twinge came again. Today the pain is more noticeable again, but I haven't reached the state it was in before the operations. That’s something.

    Here you can read an article about this and about my fears in this regard.
  3. Has the lipedema come back?
    I do not think so. By exchanging information with those affected at all stages, it can be concluded that the severity of the pain is not necessarily associated with the severity of the lipedema. This means that a stage 1 can feel just as severe pain and symptoms as stage 3 patients. I cannot find any great lipedema changes in myself and it did not occur more often in other places or was “wandered”. I only had full operations on my legs and arms and not on my back and stomach. If you put on weight, however, it is of course clear that other fat cells will have to absorb the excess energy after the operations and may grow more as a result. However, I did not gain weight uncoordinated. I knew very well where the pounds were coming from and that was my own fault.
  4. Would you have another operation?
    Never say “no”, do you? I think I would have another operation in the worst possible emergency, but as long as I can Nutrition and Sport manage to create a bearable situation, I see no reason to want to go through the whole thing again. Because yes, exercise and nutrition do not help against lipedema fat cells, but they do help against pain. Please free yourself from the thought that you could do nothing with it.

You don't get out of therapy that quickly

I hope this article will help you decide whether liposuction for lipedema is a welcome measure for you or you have not yet exhausted the conservative options. The liposuction leaves a debris field under the skin, do not underestimate it! As long as the lipedema itself cannot be cured, the outcome remains individual and, above all, uncertain for each affected person.

Nevertheless, we can be happy that we have this possibility at all and that the probability of a good result is getting a little better every year. 

What are your experiences or thoughts on the subject? Write them in the comments below this article and help others with your honest impressions.

Thank you!


Caroline Sprott Lipedema Health Influencer Avatar

Author: Caroline Sprott

Caroline Sprott is a remarkable personality involved in the world of lipedema. Born in Bochum in 1989, she now lives in Augsburg. Her professional career began as a trained media designer and she works full-time in marketing. But that's not all - Caroline is also a lipedema speaker, author and model. She is committed to the fight against lipedema and is passionate about supporting the community of those affected. Caroline founded the Lipedema Fashion Blog to share her experiences and knowledge with other sufferers. She wants to create a place where women with lipedema can find information without having to go through private Facebook groups. She combines her passion for fashion with her commitment to the lipedema community. Some interesting facts about Caroline Sprott: Style and fashion: Caroline loves fashion and sees it as a passion and therapy at the same time. She doesn't let compression stockings limit her and opts for creative outfits. Style Icon: Your style icon is Grace Kelly, a woman of natural elegance and inspiration. Favorite colors: moss green, yellow, pastels and navy blue. Weakness for animals: Caroline greets every cow - a loving gesture that shows her love for animals. Important life philosophy: Stay inquisitive, curious and optimistic - life is too short to waste even one day. In addition to being a model and entrepreneur, Caroline Sprott is a health influencer who advocates for the lipedema and lymphedema community. Her commitment and positive attitude are inspiring.

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  • A good contribution! Doctors who operate privately, in particular, promote liposuction and are sometimes very active and promise healing. You're pushing liposuction into a corner with beauty oops. Statements like “you finally feel female again” are also used there. But aren't we feminine and beautiful even before the operation?
    I have an operation, yes! I'm better than before, but lipedema is returning for me too. I'm not out of shape yet and have less pain. But I am not cured!
    I would have the operation again, but I would give myself a lot more time choosing a doctor. I would also have liked a doctor who had not given me such high hopes, who pointed out to me that exercise and nutrition would not be successful and now recommends diet and exercise to me 3 years after the operation.
    Be careful in your choice and never forget: It is an operation and every operation has risks and tears away at energy reserves.

  • I am 67 years old and 5 years ago I had 3 liposuctions in which 0 liters of fat were removed (arms and legs). The skin has of course not formed back, but I'm glad I did that in 15 months. In retrospect, I wonder how I got through it. For half a year my thighs have been pinching again and the skin has become more sensitive. I had Stage III and I'm so glad I did. After the operations, I still wore compression for about 5 year, and I only need knee socks if I can't even put my legs up during the day.

  • Hello, a great article.
    I am currently in OP 3 of 4. The arms are still missing.
    I have an operation at the Hanse Clinic in Lübeck and my doctor has been very honest with me. He said: it will get better - yes, but how can we not say now. The result also depends on what you make of it and how your body reacts to it. Are the lymphatic systems already impaired too much? We don't know now.
    And it's better. Because of the shapelessness I had bad legs. They are gone now, which makes my hip very happy. The back problems are of course also better. But what happened We fought consequences but not the cause. And I'll still have to wear stockings after the operations, that's already clear.
    For me it was worth it so far, even if I'm not as delicate as an elf and light as a feather ..

    LG Franzi

  • Oh thank you dear Caroline for this post. I'm about to OP 2/3 and after my first OP 2.5 years ago I was devastated. The operation didn't go as planned at all, and the result was desperate. Immediately after the operation I felt very bad, the pain was overwhelming for days and the painkillers did not help and it took me twice as long as announced before I could go back to work (4,5 weeks!). The optical result was not a little, but very disappointing (the operation was canceled because my tissue was so hard, my thighs were only half operated on) and then I had much greater complaints with swelling for ages (1,5 years) after the operation and pain than before. And I felt so alone !!! Everyone posts on Instagram how happy they are, how they got rid of the compression and no one seemed to have had less good experiences. Now, 2,5 years later, I think my tissue has healed and I have the feeling it is a little bit better than before the operation, so I'm starting a new attempt. But also because from a visual point of view it burdens me a lot that I have been operated on so “halfway” and that my legs look even more unusual than before the operation. I have a new doctor with whom I feel much better taken care of and hope that the surgical measures we have planned work and that it works better this time. But in any case, thank you again for the article! Now I feel a little less lonely with my experiences

  • Very well written. I have now had 3 operations within 1,5 years. I have been exhausted physically. Drained and tired from all the pain. The last operation was 3 months ago and I am through, just finished. I got a total of 16 liters from my legs. In the autumn it will be my arms' turn and then maybe there will be a "residual operation". I have a painful spot on my back and my calves may have to be touched up. But I don't really want to anymore. All the money and the pain. I definitely have a huge improvement (both pain and optics), but all these before and after photos in the FB groups make me mentally exhausted. I feel like I have to optimize myself further, do more sport and eat less in order to achieve something that my stature would probably never be able to achieve. I have sworn to myself that I will turn my back on the Fb groups as soon as I have finished the operation.

  • Dear Caroline,

    Thank you for your important contribution! Here you have written about your experiences soberly and pointed out the limits of liposuction. Very good!
    I had 4 surgeries within a year. With 21 liters were removed. I am grateful that I managed the liposuction financially, it was all in all a hard and very painful time for my family as well.
    At that time I was still registered in FB groups. In doing so, I noticed how much I was under pressure ... not to be in such a position because of the pain, ... to be on my feet again after a week and to deal with everyday life, ... nutrition, ... sport, ... dress sizes !!! Phew , it put me under a lot of pressure. So then I quit.
    A year after my last operation, I can say that I did it because I can do my sport again and I dare to go outside again. My pain is back though!
    I have also developed a diet based on my blood that is good for me. Yet I still try to accept that I am just who I am.
    And of course the soul component also plays a not insignificant role here! This is just as important to research and to find the core as with the physical one.
    Everyone has to find their way! Completely individual. But the most important thing for me is how am I feeling mentally? I have noticed that there is great potential in “living with the disease” and it is just as important to find out what it might want to tell me and not to “fight” against it!

    All the best.

    • The mental components ... What an exciting approach. From the doctors (who are willing to operate in my experience) you can hear: you can't do anything with diet and exercise. I still don't like to believe that. One hears again and again about the ketogenic diet in connection with lipedema, maybe it also depends on the type and intensity of the sport ... And what is the emotional component? Why does it almost exclusively affect women? How do I feel about my femininity? How do I feel about my body? How firmly do I stand with both feet in life? How can I learn to feel light? To take life easier?
      I wanted a more holistic approach. Perhaps you still have tips on helpful information.
      And I wish all those affected "healing" in the truest sense of the word, be it through integration and acceptance ...

  • Dear Caroline,
    Thank you for your contribution.
    I've also been dealing with the subject of surgery for a long time. I have now ruled out it for myself, I think there is simply not enough long-term experience for me and my "degree of suffering" is not high enough for the OPs.
    But I'm surprised how long you have to look for critical reports on the operation. Lately I keep coming across women who decide to have an operation immediately and don't even want to try conservative treatment in the first place, or who only want to do so for as short a time as possible.
    It often seems as if one has not dealt with the topic in more detail (is also increasingly difficult in the large forest and with the sometimes great OP reports).
    Of course, most of the results are better shortly after the operation. The masses that are sucked off alone relieve the legs. (And that's why I think reports like yours are all the more important years after the operation!)
    So please don't get me wrong, I think that there are women who suffer very badly and whom you absolutely have to / should help in this way, also through the health insurance, but I think the ops have also become a bit trendy.
    I think it is more and more of a moneymaking by doctors and it sometimes scares me that one may no longer bother to investigate the cause of lipedema, since eliminating the problem is so much more profitable.

    In any case, I am pleased that you can at least feel an improvement in your pain, even if it is unfortunately not as high as it was at the beginning. Maybe at some point there will be a drug or some other safe method to relieve lipedema.

  • It's a tough decision and yes there have been no negative reports. I am 56 and have been looking specifically for patients my age, there is hardly anything to be found.

    The lipedema didn't come to me until the menopause, it started slowly about 10 years ago with pain on the calves, but that's not why you rush to the doctor.
    My mother had it too, but I only realized that now with my diagnosis, she always complained of heavy legs and was more of the columnar type (no saddlebags).
    Before she died, the water ran out of her calves, I thought your calves looked the same, a doctor should see that.
    So flat knit knee socks, I was thrilled, the pain subsided and the legs as light as glasses that you put on and see sharply. Sure, uncomfortable in summer, but the positives predominated. Wouldn't have been a problem if the knees hadn't suddenly got thick and the stockings rolled up and so did the thighs. So then long stockings. No problem, effect as with knee socks, wonderful. I was concerned that the condition had deteriorated so much.
    I have to mention that I am slim 156cm, 52kg, (almost underweight in the past).
    The joy of the long stockings was short, I have osteoarthritis (with pain) in my hands and need help putting them on, or can not put them on alone, this is by no means permanent.
    So the decision was made to have an operation. If it works in April / May, otherwise at the end of the year, 2 surgery appointments, only the legs.
    The doctor also said by the way: "Keep an eye on your arms, they are also not okay". Well, I thought it would actually get worse.
    My expectations are: no stockings and no pain.
    The optical result is unimportant to me. the doctor said the skin will be wrinkled but there will be no excess skin and even if it is, if the condition is not worse than now, then i am satisfied
    Because of my advanced age, I don't want to waste any more time.
    I found the search for a doctor difficult, there are so many, for me it was important that it is without anesthesia, what it would approximately cost I already knew from a person affected who got to know during pain therapy.

    Perhaps it helps if you don't set your expectations too high and think about whether you can also live with negative consequences, which can actually be specifically asked by the doctor.

    Although my prerequisites are relatively good (stage 1, not overweight), I am still unsure.

    • I'm now 51 - also slim - also columnar legs - also aggravation of stage 1 (diagnosis 2018) now in stage 2 - the calves are mainly affected. Pain tolerable but heavy legs always drained. Think the boost comes from the hormones / onset of menopause. Compression doesn't work at all ... I feel like I can't breathe. And I don't wanna wait till it gets worse OP planned (legs) - but totally insecure because I have already heard some where things started somewhere else or got worse….
      No matter if 120 kg - or 60 kg with massive pain or only light - lipedema is just an asshole!

  • Years ago my sister had very swollen legs, although it was not clear whether it was lipedema or lymphedema. When one leg got worse, she was diagnosed with lymphedema and went to physical therapy. It is true that every experience, sensation of pain, and outcome is different. You should be put in print by some pictures!

  • Hello Caroline,
    To be honest, I hardly dare to write here because, according to a surgeon and a phlebologist, I only have lipohypertrophy and not lipedema or lymphedema as is the case with those affected here. Since I have no pain yet, I am not affected yet, so was the statement both times. I rather had myself checked because people repeatedly asked me that with my rather slim upper body (38/40) and my not so slim lower body (at the moment: 48) I clearly had lipedema. At the moment, on a few days I only have occasional pulling (especially in the right leg), heavy legs especially in humid weather and (over?) Sensitivity when, for example, a child carelessly crawls around on my legs in my daily work as a teacher.
    I am already asking myself: How much discomfort and bruises are "normal" and how much are not? After all, you always only start from what you are used to. You are only in your own body and you cannot compare it objectively. Overall, however, with most of the inconveniences and bruises, I think: "Well, you just bumped yourself there / child XY was careless / it's just humid, etc." So ... that was also what I told the phlebologist. I am not in pain in that sense, and I am not bruised more than once. Or is it? Especially with the latter statement, I find it difficult to assess it objectively. What is heaped? It happens every now and then that I have 3-5 spots on my thighs and then again not a single one.

    The phlebologist said that the risks are already higher that lipoedema could develop from hormonal changes from lipohypertrophy. I'm just wondering: What now? Should i wait? What can I do now? And I am currently also wondering whether it makes sense to reduce the fat I cannot get rid of on the lower body through liposuction in order to have a preventive effect and would find it interesting to find out how you think about it, since you have already acquired a lot of knowledge.
    Since I have Hashimoto, as a woman you have to go through a number of hormonal changes anyway and I have also used a hormonal method of contraception so far, I can well imagine that some more possibly triggering hormonal fluctuations are very likely in my life.
    I also have to honestly admit that I suffer emotionally from the effects that lipohypertrophy can bring with it.

    You already notice. I still have a lot of questions and, even if I have had enough courage, I will seek advice from a surgeon who is recognized in this regard, but I would like to take the first steps and get better information now. Maybe you still have tips? / Suggestions? / Helpful comments?
    I would be very grateful.

    • Hello dear Svenja,

      I can understand your point of view very well, as every lipedema sufferer has been in stage I or before. As you have already said correctly, lipedema can not only be determined visually, but is clearly diagnosed by pain. But even these start somewhere and you are absolutely right with the almost philosophical questions about where pain begins exactly.

      The way you describe it to me and also listened to your body, it sounds like a beginning stage I to me. It may or may not get worse. What you can do at this point is to avoid strong hormonal fluctuations as best you can and you already have that on your list! This gives you a decisive advantage. With a ketogenic or low carb diet, you can counteract the feeling of pain and storage.

      A preventive liposuction could possibly help at least optically, but as far as I know there are too few substantive studies for me (or a serious surgeon) to really assess it. Remember, the surgeon earns good money with it, whether he really gives you differentiated advice is an open question. Basically, it is a difficult intervention, especially in your subcutaneous fatty tissue, which also brings its risks and should not be taken lightly. Please take enough time to make this decision. Here on the page you will also find some articles on liposuction. 🙂

      Best regards,
      Caroline

      • Thank you very much for your understanding answer. I have a great deal of respect for operations. If, in my case, these are only aesthetic rather than preventive, then I very likely will not do it.
        I wish you and everyone all the best from the bottom of my heart.

  • I think it's great that you give honest answers. Unfortunately, I miss that in many reports / videos that you find on the Internet.
    I had my third and last operation a week ago. Since I “only” have stage II, the health insurance naturally pays nothing. I wrestled with myself for a long time, but because of my job I have to be physically fit. So I spent a long time studying all kinds of clinics and ended up in the Netherlands.
    The last three months were definitely the hardest time of my life, an operation every four weeks, a long journey for me and, above all, a long drive home. BUT it was worth it, I am very happy and I am super satisfied with the clinic and especially with the doctor who operated on me. The advice was great, empathetic and I never felt rushed to do anything.
    At the moment my thigh and upper arm still look like the bus has run over me, but the result is already great.
    I have had three operations. Both lower legs during the first operation - wow! That was really hell and I really cursed my own determination! As if run over by the tractor, several times! This is what it looked and felt like. I had terrible nerve pain for a week, but after that it got better every day.
    The next operation was four weeks later - right thigh and upper arm. I had imagined the arm to be worse, but it hardly made any problems. The thigh was bad, although I had no nerve pain, but sitting, lying down or climbing stairs was ...
    Then last week was the third and final operation - left thigh and upper arm. What can I say - hardly any pain, no problem sitting, and I feel really liberated.
    I think everyone should think carefully about their expectations of an operation. How great is the suffering? And look for a doctor whom you absolutely trust!
    In any case, despite all the pain, I am glad that I pulled it off.

  • Hello dear Caroline, I have been following your blog for a long time and can only congratulate you on your pioneering work here, your attitude and the tips you give to those affected. I have suffered from lipoedema for 33 years, I was diagnosed with it in 2000 by Dr. Jungkunz in Hesse/Friedberg.

    This was pointed out to me for the first time a year earlier by a physiotherapist from a mother-and-child spa who had completed her own training at the Földi Clinic.

    At that time there was no prospect of surgery, nor really nice and comfortable compression.

    After my second pregnancy, I quickly reached stage 2002/2 in 3 and stage 3 a little later.

    Stage 3 lipedema, and Stage 1-2 lymphedema. However, secondary lymphedema caused by the lipedema.

    I tried to sue for liposuction and failed despite VDK and good lawyers. I then let it be in 2014 and accepted it.

    Had an arm circumference of 60! cm... Admittedly not constant pain, but touch pain and heavy legs and arms that always fell asleep, frequent bruises and everything got worse and tense when it was warm.

    Due to the circumference dimensions, hardly anything fit me on the arms and every fabric
    cut in.

    In December 2019, the lymphological rehabilitation finally came and there the surgery was directly endorsed, although the clinic is actually also geared towards conservative treatment and also recommends this for the most part.

    In the meantime, other orthopedic diseases had also developed, partly due to the additional weight of the lipoedema, and after the lymphological rehabilitation I reached a degree of disability of 60. This was also stimulated by the rehabilitation.

    I never thought of it.

    In 2020, the health insurance company approved the liposuction and subsequent skin flap resection and I was overjoyed.

    Four operations followed in 2021 and in 2022 the 5th operation on the arms.

    I probably have 5 more surgeries, including the skin flap resection.

    Yes it's true it was hell to have 6 surgeries in 3 months and 18 surgeries in 5 months but for me I would do it again.

    Just the weight and all the fat I've lost already makes it worth it.

    I felt like a zombie after the first surgeries. Half dead and half alive. No more power…

    Until a doctor explained to me that of course electrolytes are also sucked out. That's why the body takes so long to recover.

    Before the fourth surgery, I started taking Vitamin D3, Omega3, Vitamin C, Iron, Magnesium, Zinc, Selenium, etc. directly and noticed a clear difference after the surgery. The healing was drastically shortened. Above all, my Hb value was totally in the basement after the first surgeries and I had to struggle with shortness of breath and tachycardia. That was no longer the case after the fourth operation.

    But I can also understand that an operation is not the right solution for every patient. And I don't believe in exchanging ideas with others, because that only creates insecurity. Just as I didn't talk about the birth experiences with other mothers before my first delivery. Fully aware.

    Social media puts even healthy people under pressure.

    I tried everything imaginable before my surgeries (all forms of nutrition, naturopaths, TCM, sports, cold chamber and and and...)

    I would rather go under the knife 10 more times than have false hopes for decades again.

    And yes, it is also extremely important to compare doctors and clinics. I can only confirm that. There are huge differences between the operators.

    Good luck and healing to you all ❤️

  • Dear Caroline,
    I am ten years older than you, have three children and have been diagnosed with lipoedema two years ago.
    Many thanks for your article. There are really not many who report after a long time and, above all, unembellished or honestly about their physical condition after liposuction.
    Hats off for sharing this with us - this is exactly what I was looking for.
    I'm still arguing with myself, but I tend very much towards the operations (I would also have three operations). My mother and my grandmother became immobile relatively quickly as they got older.
    They only found out about my diagnosis that it was lipoedema, since they are both slightly obese, a diagnosis was never made.
    Of course I hope for pain relief and an easier life in everyday life.
    But the respect is just as great for these three surgeries.
    Thank you for encouraging me to follow my gut and if I go to the ops, not to have surgeries as fast as the doctors suggested.
    that didn't feel right to me.
    I wish you all the best and love, warm greetings from the Swabian Allgäu Kathrin

  • Thank you for your contribution. Personally, I also struggled with lipoedema after pregnancy and was about to have an operation. But then my masseuse recommended the Venen Engel and some natural dietary supplements, such as stinging nettle. That actually saved me from the surgery, but it's still interesting to hear about your experiences. As with the pill, however, I believe that doctors are too quick to point out medicines and surgeries and ignore natural remedies.

  • Hello everyone, especially Bianka
    First of all......yes, thank you for this post, if I had read it back then and also one or the other comment, I would not have been so disappointed later.
    I am 56 years old today and had my liposuction four years ago.
    It started at the beginning of the menopause, suddenly my legs literally exploded. At the doctors I was simply labeled as a bit too greedy (167cm/72kg). When at some point I finally knew that I had an illness, I began to "find out" on the Internet and attended a lecture in Flensburg. After that, I quickly came to the conclusion that the smartest thing to do to get those thick, overgrown thighs under control must be this surgery. The ever stronger congestion jokes have only confirmed me in that.
    In my imagination, after the op, I had smooth, thin thighs again, just like a year and a half before, or even better.
    My leg surgery was great. Big pink pill, no memory of anything, everyone was very nice to me in the recovery room and also the two days in the hospital (which I would recommend to everyone) were great.
    Of course I was in pain, but I knew from and for what. So grit your teeth and through. It only got unbearable after 3-4 days at home, so that I had to cry a bit, but everything was supposed to be great, everyone said. Then, two months later, I began to realize that my legs will never look like they did before the lipoedema/liposuction.
    Today my legs are characterized by a spectacular mountain and valley landscape (probably also due to the age of the skin), but I was promised something else.
    A quarter of a year after the liposuction of the legs, my arms grew, with the side effects that, among other things, I could no longer hold the steering wheel permanently when driving because of the pain.
    The arms were then also operated on, with the result that a little too much was suctioned off on the right arm....great and thank you. Otherwise everything like the first time.
    I could have gotten a touch up (for the legs) but opted out and live with it now. I had my arms tattooed so that the holes aren't that noticeable anymore.
    The lipoedema would no longer occur after the operation, it was emphasized again and again. I don't know it. I'm still at 72kg, I jog almost every day, I'm super disciplined about my diet and I've had some intermittent pain for a while. However, what I had shortly after the operation and to this day is water retention in the calves. These make my legs look even more unattractive and there is no health explanation......again.

    Conclusion for me, I would have the operation again and again, even if the result does not look what I want, I can move optimally again, I still fit into motorcycle pants (which is very important to me) and this unbearable pain is bearable minimum reduced.

    So that would be my story now.
    As you will realize on this page, one of many.
    Maybe I could use that to help you make a decision.
    Good luck (regardless of the stupid lipoedema) to all of you.

    • hello iris, where did you have the operation?
      I am very sorry that the result did not turn out as expected. (mountain and valley...I can't find the words)
      I'm currently also thinking about it, I'm 160 cm tall, weigh 54 kg, 55 years old. Everything on the thighs and some on the knees and lower legs. But main pain in the lower leg.
      Of course I try to find the best doctor. Even if it should be a little further away. The main thing is no pain! and optically in the green area.
      liebe grüsse
      Annette

      • Sorry I'm only getting back to you now, I wasn't expecting a question.
        I was operated on in Flensburg, but I think Dr Hornberger has been able to practice a lot in the meantime and he is so nice and hard-working that the results are definitely better today. The advantage there is that it is cheap. The service that you get, for example, with overnight stays/monitoring (which is recommended from my point of view) that is automatically included. Very competent, very clean, very meticulous before and after treatment. Spare compression if needed, right there….really great.
        For me at the time it was also crucial that it was nearby, which was also good, because you no longer want to go to the hospital for follow-up treatment, which is absolutely necessary. That was really bad.
        I would send my phone number, but I don't like to make that public. Just write and I'll check back often
        ikaufmann@t-online.de
        I wish you luck

  • Hey, a great report and you are so right. I have just had the 2nd liposuction (also in quick succession) and the complication of neuropathic pain occurred. I take very strong painkillers, including tilidine, and no one can tell me whether it will ever go away. Sure, that would be crystal ball thinking.
    I can also say that liposuction is not fun, I have been living with severe pain 4,5/24 for 7 months now. Not a minute without it. It even wakes me up at night. A total of 16.4 liters were sucked out of my legs. After the first operation, I developed seromas that had to be punctured several times. This is a small part of my experience, I have had lipedema since the 1s. Hardly anyone knew about this disease. For my part, I am also very mentally unstable when it comes to this illness, as I have been fighting the battle for recognition since 90. That, with all its hurdles. From the MDK to the court.
    I'm writing this to you because I think your article is reality and you're so right...hardly anyone talks about the dark side...