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Lipoedema

Besel

Member
Has anybody on here who has lipoedema had WLS?
Did you have specific precautions or treatment before or after?
Did you reach your goal weight?

I’ve just been diagnosed with stage one.
The weight in my legs has skewed my BMI so it’ll be even lower...

A bit of a curve ball this one.

Hoping somebody on here has been there and done that.

Thanks!
 

Bling Babe

Well-Known Member
Sorry me neither, tbh I’d never heard of it, I’ve just googled it and wish you luck xx
 

slimkim

Well-Known Member
That sucks that you got that diagnosis. Did any of the medics have anything to say about how wls might affect it?
 

Besel

Member
Thanks guys.

So difficult to find info.

Because the fat cells in my legs are rogue ones, they don’t respond to any of the normal ways you would try and get rid of fat (i.e. diet and exercise).

The only option is a special type of liposuction .

What is messing with my head is that my heavy legs will have skewed my BMI and will do so after WLS as it’s very likely there will be very little change in the size of my legs.
I’ll end up loosing weight everywhere but my legs.

So now it maybe makes a bit of sense that when people look at me, they all said I don’t need WLS but my measurements say differently. The size of my legs is always hidden by my trousers. (Although there is no hiding my big bum LOL!)

It would also explain the 2 year ‘stall’ where I have gone back and forth within a 5kg range for ever. My top part keeps getting smaller and my legs keep getting bigger.

I’m yet to see my GP to try and get proper treatment. The first 3 times I mentioned the problem to them, they weren’t really interested and just confirmed I have swollen legs and that not much can be done. I was diagnosed at a lymphoedema clinic.

I’ll keep browsing the net for more info.
Will mention it to the MDT as well and see what they say.
 

Bling Babe

Well-Known Member
Hi Besel, I’m not sure if this link is any help to you, I think it’s the same thing you were talking about, I think it’s old but may help : http://www.amylhwilliams.com/lymphedema.html
Actually I’ve just double check and it may be different? Xx
 

Besel

Member
Hi Besel, I’m not sure if this link is any help to you, I think it’s the same thing you were talking about, I think it’s old but may help : http://www.amylhwilliams.com/lymphedema.html
Actually I’ve just double check and it may be different? Xx

Thanks for that Bling.
Yes, it’s similar with some overlap between the 2 conditions, but it’s not the same.

Got my prescription for a pair of (I’m sure what will be uber sexy) compression tights .

Will be interesting to see how much they actually help the swelling and how much difference that will make on the scale.
 

jpeo1990

New Member
Hi Besel,

my response is in 2 parts really. I had weight loss surgery 10 weeks ago today but as for the lipoedema my girlfriend suffers from this and was diagnosed around 3 years ago after finding out we were expecting our first child. she uses the compression tights as you mentioned above but she has also had treatment called manual lymphatic drainage massages which aids in reducing the swelling (not sure if this is available all aroud the country mind) as for linking the two things together in my opinion knowing what I know about both things I would think the only difference it would make is possibly initially post surgery you would need the circulating stockings on to aid the blood flow slightly better then standard compression tights. the actual other steps shouldn't be changed by this condition however your surgeon may need to understand that weight loss isn't as simple when this condition is present. my girlfriend can lose weight well but the weight of the legs don't really change due to the lipoedema.

im only talking here from personal experience of lipoedema (which is no where near as widely understood as it should be but im sure you feel the same) and hoping that it helps you as much as possible.

if you need to ask anything else regarding lipoedema or surgery please just ask away and ill try and answer anything I can!

Jamie
 

Besel

Member
Hi Jamie,

Thanks for that.
I have regular MLD massage and it does make a difference.

And you are right, apart from immediate post op leg management, the other steps will probably be the same.

I asked my team for a chat as taking the weight of my legs into account, my BMI should be 3 points lower which puts me under 35.
And the weight will not come off my legs at all after WLS.

This is really doing my head in.
I am obese, but with very heavy legs, which will not change after surgery.
There’s a good chance I’ll still be obese or at least overweight because of the rogue fat cells in my legs.

Only specialised liposuction can get rid of the rogue fat cells.

I wonder wether I should have the liposuction first?

The scale has not budged in about 6-9 months now, but I dropped 1 to 2 dress sizes in tops, but nothing at all in trousers; on the contrary, my legs seem to be getting bigger.

Well and truly confused.
 

slimkim

Well-Known Member
Sounds like you are going through a rough time with the lipoedema. I hope your team can help you to make the best decision for you.
 

skinni mins

New Member
Has anybody on here who has lipoedema had WLS?
Did you have specific precautions or treatment before or after?
Did you reach your goal weight?

I’ve just been diagnosed with stage one.
The weight in my legs has skewed my BMI so it’ll be even lower...

A bit of a curve ball this one.

Hoping somebody on here has been there and done that.

Thanks!
Hi Besel, I have this also. There are a number of support groups on Facebook. "My lipodema journey" is the best one I think as the 2 women that run it , have this condition themselves. I suggest you find this page and there you will get all the information you need, plus amazing support from women all over the world who have this awful disease. There is only one way to get rid of the rogue fat cells and that is a special type of WAL. Good luck with it xxx
 
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