Meet Peta, a 36-year-old patient from New South Wales, Peta first suspected she had Lipoedema in 2023 after she began experiencing unusually sore legs. Walking upstairs, repetitive tasks, working out, kneeling, and walking long distances became significantly more challenging. Simultaneously, Peta discovered pea size lumps on her thighs, backside, and arms, along with swelling and strange bruising.
Peta said, “I started to google my symptoms and search through TikTok to see if anyone else had the same issues, I came across a woman who suffered from the exact same symptoms and she mentioned the word Lipoedema.”
Set on the right path, Peta received her diagnosis from Dr Lekich as having Stage 2 Lipoedema. She remarked, “It was a huge relief as I had already been to my GP a few times and was told they could offer me weight loss medication or to live a healthier lifestyle. Hearing that I wasn’t making this all up in my head and that I in fact did have something wrong was a great help.”
Peta’s main challenge from an overall lifestyle point of view was travel, as this was something she previously enjoyed. “The main issue is walking and falling behind with family as I was complaining of leg pain and tiredness. It was really taking a toll, not only on myself but my family as well”.
Peta always tried to keep fit despite personally finding it difficult, however once her symptoms emerged it was much too problematic and didn’t seem worth it. Peta reflected, “I know it sounds silly but I thought if I wasn’t losing weight – as I didn’t know I had Lipoedema yet – and I was hurting, sad, and tired then what was the point?”
From a mental health perspective Peta didn’t feel good enough, or even like her old self anymore. She felt like everyone was looking at her legs causing her to stop wearing certain clothes, “The fact my clothes don’t fit any longer and finding something that I felt comfortable in that suited my body type became difficult. Also depressing to even walk in to go shopping as it made me feel yuck.”
Prior to surgery, Peta underwent conservative management including weekly manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) therapy, a low carb / sugar diet, compression, and elevation.
In July 2024, utilising a protocol to manage underlying venous disease and a Lymph-Sparing technique, a total of 4.6litres of Lipoedema fat was removed from Peta’s anterior upper thighs by Dr Lekich with Renuvion which helps with skin laxity / redundancy. Subsequently in September 2024 a further 4.2 litres were removed from Peta’s posterior upper legs along with another Renuvion treatment. By November 2024 Peta had her third surgery in her lower legs which took out 3 litres of Lipoedema fat.
Going forward Peta is hoping the surgery will prevent the swelling and other Lipoedema symptoms, “It will remove the pain, and I will be more aware of living a healthier lifestyle.
I want to live and be able to keep up with my family, especially my 3-year-old daughter, who I want to be a role model for in life, to be proud of me as her mother, someone she looks up to in the future. (I want) to enjoy life again with her and my husband. I would love to gain better mental health as well.”
Lipoedema awareness is important to Peta as women and mothers tend to put themselves last and aren’t taken seriously when voicing issues.
“Lipoedema is something not a lot of people know about, and the people who are living life while suffering from body issues and pain, looking at themselves with very low self-esteem, and wondering why they can’t look like the girl next door. It really affects people on different levels and the support that women need by talking about their journey will hopefully help someone like it helped me.”
When asked what Peta would say to other women with Lipoedema she said, “You are not alone! Don’t think you are crazy if you feel that your body is not right, and it is absolutely not your fault! There is help and you will find yourself within your journey, we are all woman of the world who have our own issues who need to be heard, and amazingly there are some beautiful people that are hearing sister. Don’t give up, seek your help and live your best life that you can.”