Meet Sofia, a 40-year-old patient from New South Wales.
Sofia’s journey with Lipoedema began long before her diagnosis. Reflecting on her teenage years, Sofia recalls first noticing unusual changes in her body at the age of 17. “I saw how big my thighs were compared to others,” she says. Despite her efforts to find answers, it would take over two decades before she received a formal diagnosis.
Her symptoms included heaviness, pain in her legs, and extreme tiredness, which increasingly disrupted her life. Activities she once loved, like dancing, gardening, long walks with her husband, and even going to the gym, became too difficult. “I can’t even wear a lot of the clothes I want to,” Sofia explains, sharing the toll it took on her confidence and mental health.
A turning point came after Sofia experienced a bad fall from a horse. “I should have broken a bone,” she says, recalling the intense bruising and tenderness that followed. “I felt like I must have burst blood vessels.” These lingering symptoms pushed Sofia to research her condition further. She tried various approaches, including numerous diets and even bariatric surgery, but nothing changed the shape or size of her legs and hips. It wasn’t until 2020, after moving to a new area, that Sofia found a physiotherapist who suspected Lipoedema and encouraged her to seek specialised help.
In 2023, Sofia visited Lipoedema Surgical Solution’s Sydney office and was officially diagnosed with Stage 3 Lipoedema and secondary Lymphoedema by Dr Lekich. The diagnosis was a mix of sheer relief and emotional release. “I burst into tears,” she shares. “For so long, people told me it was all in my head—just fat—and that I should eat less. To finally hear it wasn’t my fault was overwhelming.” Despite the validation, years of societal stigma and dismissive medical advice had left Sofia grappling with social anxiety and body dysmorphia.
Before her diagnosis, Sofia began wearing compression garments and receiving Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) once a month, which she credits as a game-changer. “Compression makes such a difference; it’s the most important thing,” she says. These measures not only eased her symptoms but also prepared her body for the next step in her journey: surgery.
Sofia’s decision to undergo surgery with Dr Lekich was influenced by the purpose-built Lipoedema facility and its proximity to her home. “I watched the videos and felt this was the right place for me,” she says. In January 2024, Sofia underwent her first surgical procedure using the Lymph-Sparing technique, during which 5 litres of Lipoedema fat were removed from her anterior upper legs. She followed this with a second surgery in April 2024, focusing on her posterior upper thighs and hips, where an additional 4 litres of fat was removed.
Today, Sofia is looking forward to reclaiming the life she’d put on hold. “I’ve always avoided things that caused pain, and it really limits all the fun things you can do in life,” she says. Now, she’s hopeful about rediscovering joy in the activities she once loved and embracing new opportunities. Sofia emphasises the importance of raising awareness and pushing for greater access to essential treatments like compression garments and MLD, which remain financially out of reach for many.
Her message to others is clear: “It’s not your fault. Find a support group and connect with people who understand. We need to raise our voices and stand together.”
It has been a year since Sofia’s operation and her life has significantly improved. She has finally been able to work in the field she always dreamed of—transitioning from high school to primary school teaching. This role demands more movement, bending, and time on her feet, all of which she can now manage with ease. She can crouch, balance on one leg, and—most importantly—her dog can comfortably nap on her legs at night. While she’s still working towards sitting cross-legged, which may require further surgery, she recently celebrated her progress by bravely doing a boudoir photo shoot, proudly showcasing her thighs in black compression wear.
When it comes to fashion, Sofia now enjoys being the same size on both her top and bottom halves—something she once thought impossible. She walks her beloved dogs for over an hour every day and remains committed to a strict keto diet paired with intermittent fasting. Her dedication extends to wearing her compression garments daily, without exception.
Before surgery, Sofia lacked the endurance for activities she now embraces with confidence. She’s since completed walking tours, climbed Mount Kosciuszko, and explored the historic grounds of Port Arthur on foot.
