Meet this 76-year-old patient who spent her adult life assuming she inherited her “big legs” from her mother. However, in mid-2021, as her legs grew larger and she became increasingly immobile due to knee pain, she and her husband began searching for answers. Her husband discovered a clinic in Miami, Queensland, and suggested she visit. Little did they know, this was the only purpose-built hospital in Australia for Lipoedema surgery.
In October 2021, the patient had her first consultation and was diagnosed with stage 4 Lipoedema. She immediately began a conservative management plan that included manual lymphatic drainage therapy, a low-carb diet, and wearing compression garments. However, further testing revealed the need for vein ablation surgery, which she underwent in March 2022. Unfortunately, a heart examination also showed she had a hole in her heart, and she was referred to a cardiologist in Brisbane for a PFO closure, successfully completed in October 2022.
In June 2023, she had her first procedure using the minimally invasive, Lymph-Sparing technique, during which 5L of lipoedema fat was removed from her anterior upper inner legs. In August and October of the same year a further 5L was removed from her anterior upper legs, as well as 5L removed from her posterior upper legs. In July of 2024, the patient’s 4th surgery saw 5L removed from her anterior upper legs.
Remarkably, she experienced no pain or sickness during recovery, and for the first time in two years, she could walk without a cane.
Despite the challenges, including immobility and lifestyle restrictions, she remains positive with good overall well-being. She continues MLD therapy weekly and consistently wears compression garments. Now looking forward to taking a break from surgery, the patient plans to eventually address the back of her lower legs and her arms in future procedures.