Lipedema after the menopause – Anke

My name is Anke and I am 58 years old.

I was diagnosed with lipedema in 2022 and the fact that my legs became increasingly bulky and heavy, despite healthy nutrition and a lot of exercise, was a particular burden on me on the way to surgery. At the start of the menopause, I had a massive flare-up with additional water retention, which was particularly troublesome in warm temperatures. I was no longer in control of my own illness, was in constant pain and felt that my quality of life was severely restricted.

That was me and my stage 2 type 4 lipedema with secondary lymphoedema of the arms and legs:

After the diagnosis in fall of 2022, I tried conservative therapy but without profound success (lymphatic drainage and compression garments).

Then I came to LIPOCURA® and everything changed!

I opted for LIPOCURA® because I was very unhappy with the result after my first operation on the front of my thigh at another clinic and was looking for a good surgeon. LIPOCURA® was highly recommended to me by another patient. I immediately felt that I was taken seriously and I am extremely happy with my decision.

I wanted to say goodbye to my lipedema because I could no longer bear it, either physically or mentally.

Between then and now:

• 3 operations on my arms and legs and 17 litres of fat.
• I’ve had two plasma lifts with Renuvion on my arms and the back of my legs.

Today, I have a balanced nutrition, exercise regularly and enjoy doing sports. I go running, swimming, mountain biking, do yoga, fitness training and anything else I enjoy.

My biggest worry before the operation was whether my body would cope well with the major surgery, but in hindsight this was completely unfounded. I was fit again very quickly.

My mobile phone and my Crocs were indispensable in my hospital bag.

I am particularly grateful on my lipedema journey to my family, who have always supported me, my great physios and especially Dr Belay. I feel understood and in very good hands with him. The results of his surgery are amazing and I am happy every day to have gone down this path. I feel so much healthier and fitter than before the operations.

I would like to say to anyone who is still having doubts about the decision to have surgery that you can still decide in favour of an operation even if you are over 50. I feel so much better, my constant pain and the feeling of heaviness are gone. I would like to encourage every woman to take the step towards a better quality of life and freedom from discomfort. With LIPOCURA® you are in good hands right from the start.

Do you have any questions for me? You can find me on Instagram: @anke12121965