Feldbergklinik Diary # 1: Rehabilitation with lipedema / lymphedema

The interest and questions about my stay at the Feldberg Clinic are simply tireless and so I would like to give you an insight into my rehab with lipedema in the form of this little diary. I will very likely be here for three weeks, so I will divide the upcoming entries thematically into personal space, Feldbergklinik, environment. At the end of the article there will be a questionnaire in which I will answer most of the questions that have arisen during that time for reading. So if any should remain open, bring them on. Go Go go! I'm on the road investigative for you. With a trench coat and that glasses-nose-mustache things as disguise - pah! Sprott incognito.

Why rehab?

After three liposuctions I unfortunately did not remain symptom-free and I can feel the pain slowly and steadily creeping back into my extremities. I cannot confirm the phenomenon that you would gain weight faster and more in other areas after the operations. But I had the feeling that I should slowly start taking care not to let the condition return to the situation before the operations. So I knew that the rehab was very good for me at the time and that I can already feel a noticeable effect after a week. Especially mentally and athletically. It's good to be at home in my Black Forest.

You can read here how to apply for rehab.

My little home

My room is relatively small, but the size hasn't bothered me yet. The ceilings are so nice and high and that makes up for a lot for me. The floor has now been renewed and the Feldberg Clinic is slowly being renovated step by step. The bathrooms need it most in the rooms, as most of them are still contemporary witnesses Dr. Asdonks. But I always think to myself, as long as it's clean, everything else is a matter of time. Such intensive renovation measures are a major cost factor for such a clinic. Otherwise I am completely satisfied and find the rooms completely sufficient for the stay.

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My therapist

Three years ago Michael "Phil Collins" Rüdiger and I spent four very entertaining weeks of therapy together and a strong bond developed from that. It's therapist love. He's doing a fantastic job and in 2014, with his golden hands and perfect swaddling, got me four liters out of my legs. What we can still get out of this year, after the liposuctions two years ago, will be shown by the final measurement. Now after a week we're down to a few millimeters, which is better than no change.

When Phil Collins is not on tour, he is brilliantly kneading the lymph from my body in St. Blasien.

Of course, my therapist also has a real name, but he looks just like the old, formerly-rock-today-cuddly-cuddly singer Phil Collins. I couldn't help it.

Reunification

In advance, I called the Feldberg Clinic to have a note of my wish to be treated by Phil Collins again. Ultimately, the head therapist has the last word and then assigns the patients to a suitable therapist on site according to the vacation schedule and the patient's special wishes. I was lucky and I can tell you I was excited like a little school girl. I would finally see him again after three years of crushing and gossiping in memories of our conversations. But would he recognize me again? Does he still remember who I am?

I was married now and took my husband's name, but my special first name had exposed me. It dawned on him and he didn't want to believe that I was actually going back to him. The joy was great and the embrace as warm as it could be. Man, how happy we were to finally be able to catch up over the last few years for a few weeks.

Can you believe it? My picture with a dear friend from the last rehab is on his pin board and he has looked at me every day during these three years. How beautiful it is nach Hause get. I am now so far with my research madness that I would like to try out even more rehab clinics in order to be able to report on you. But that would also mean that I would not have my favorite therapist with me and somehow I have the feeling that it is not half as healing as it feels right now.

The winding

This is the be-all and end-all of rehab therapy and actively contributes to the decongestion of your affected extremities. Foam is normally used under the bandages, but unfortunately I can't take it and I get a cotton sock as an alternative. This is followed by layer by layer of bandages of various thicknesses and finally the long-stretch bandages for fastening. If you have anatomically difficult proportions, old cut-up compression tights or bikers can also help to fix them. It cannot slide like this. Fortunately, everything holds very well for me despite movement. Of course, thanks to the “golden hands” from you-know-who.

In the evening or, if only the legs or arms are affected, at noon you unwind and roll up the bandages again either by hand or by rolling machine and put them in the bandage basket. So you are prepared again for the next MLD.

The movement in the wrap is of paramount importance and ensures a good result. The more lymph can be removed by the pressure, the better. Climbing stairs, walks and rehab sports.

I hope you didn't like the first impression of my stay at the Feldberg Clinic. We'll see you again in the second week! Here you come to the clinic's homepage.

All the best and best regards from the Black Forest

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Your questions about rehab at the Feldbergklinik

• Which requirements do you have to meet?
  The doctor who makes the application with you also decides at that moment that it is medically necessary to improve and maintain your state of health. I am not aware of any clearer prerequisite other than the diagnosis.
• Do you also have to have lymphedema or is pure lipedema enough?
  No, even with pure lipedema you can go to rehab and achieve results.
• Does rehab help with lipedema?
  That always depends on your own commitment. The clinic alone can only provide the basis for successful treatment. What you make of it is up to you.
• How many weeks are you there or what is the duration?
  The minimum stay, if the stay is covered by the pension insurance, is three weeks. Sometimes it is extended up to six weeks, usually to four weeks.
• How is the weekend going?
  At the weekend there is a morning changing service in the Feldbergklinik. This means that you will not be lymphed beforehand, but wrapped in order not to let the condition of the week decrease over the weekend. The rest of the time is free and mostly used for excursions. Bus companies also offer day trips here.
• Were there any problems with the application because you already had liposuctions?
  No, my application was approved directly. The previous liposuctions do not cure the lipedema either, so over the years one should always take care to maintain or improve one's status as well as possible. Rehabilitation is always a good choice for such purposes.
• Is there childcare in the Feldberg Clinic?
  There is no direct support. If the children are old enough to be somewhat busy on their own, all of this is doable. I also saw a mother come with her baby and mother once. This enabled the mother to take care of the baby during the treatments. So in principle you can bring your children with you, only in case of doubt someone should come along to help you with the care. Otherwise you are also entitled to a domestic help who will help you at home.
• Is one also dealt with psychologically?
  There is psychological counseling that can be obtained. But that's more of a minor help. The focus is only on treating the edema.
• Your legs still look very thin when wrapped, is there no foam underneath?
  No, unfortunately I am allergic to the foam. I use a cotton sock instead.
• How do you like it in the Feldbergkinik?
  I like the clinic and feel very comfortable here. St. Blasien is a cute little place that is completely sufficient for everyday life. The staff was always very friendly to me and everyone tried hard. I also think that the food is often delicious and that the choice in the morning and evening is just as sufficient. It's a clinic, not a hotel, after all. And as renovations continue, I am confident that it will soon shine in new splendor.
• Is the therapy a lasting success?
  I would say the more effort you make at home to maintain the departure state, the longer it lasts. I would say that I felt better for a good nine months. After that, unfortunately, it quickly got worse until we decided to have surgery.

More answers will follow in the next articles!

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