Meet Erin, a 32-year-old food blogger from Wellington, New Zealand. Diagnosed with advanced Stage 2 Lipoedema, Erin found out about Lipoedema in 2019 while scrolling through social media. After watching a video, she turned to her husband and said, “This person has my legs.”
That moment was a turning point, suddenly everything made sense. She always wondered why she bruised easily, and despite significant weight loss, her legs never changed shape. Looking back at her family history, Erin realised that her Lipoedema likely came from her father’s side, as her grandmother had experienced similar symptoms.
After returning from overseas in 2021, Erin decided it was time to seek a diagnosis. She connected with someone in Wellington who had previously seen Dr. Lekich in Australia. ‘I didn’t feel like there was anyone in New Zealand who could meet my needs,’ Erin shared. After a Group Zoom Call and a telehealth consultation, she received her diagnosis of having advanced Stage 2 Lipoedema. Receiving the diagnosis brought immense relief to Erin. She said, “It’s not me. There’s a reason for this thing I’ve been struggling with my whole life.”
Conservative management made a significant difference in reducing inflammation and preparing for surgery. She began manual lymphatic drainage therapy, wore compression garments, used a pump, engaged in low-impact exercises like pilates, and made dietary adjustments.
The mental health challenges she faced were perhaps the most difficult part of her journey. “I didn’t feel comfortable wearing shorts and was self-conscious all the time,” Erin shared. “My legs always felt sore, and I was subconsciously covering them because they were uncomfortable. I wasn’t able to work out the way I wanted, and I got tired easily.” Despite these challenges, Erin felt fortunate to access surgery early in her life.
As part of the comprehensive treatment protocol, Erin underwent vein surgery in August 2022, before her Lipoedema-Extraction Surgeries. This was a crucial step in her journey, as treating the varicose veins first ensured better outcomes for the subsequent Lipoedema surgeries.
In September 2022, Dr. Lekich removed 2.9 litres of Lipoedema fat from Erin’s anterior thighs using the minimally invasive, Lymph-Sparing technique. This was followed by the removal of 4 litres from her posterior thighs in November 2022. In May 2023, 2 litres were removed from her arms and abdomen, and finally, in August 2023, 3.4 litres were removed from her lower legs.
“I am so happy with the results,” Erin said after her surgeries, “but I’m still learning to be really gentle with my body as it can be a long process to full recovery.”
Erin also appreciated Dr. Lekich’s thorough approach, particularly the emphasis on pre-testing. “I had no idea I had varicose veins until he ran those tests,” she said, underscoring the importance of comprehensive care.
With four surgeries completed, Erin looks forward to regaining her life. She’s grateful for the flexibility her job as a food blogger provides, allowing her to focus on her recovery. Her energy is returning, and she is working on building muscle and living a life not driven by Lipoedema.
Lipoedema awareness is crucial to Erin. “Before surgery, there was a strong emphasis on the aesthetics of my body, but now, it’s just such a relief to not be in pain anymore. Even if surgery hadn’t changed how I looked, and only changed my leg pain and heaviness, I’d do it again in a heartbeat” Erin said.
She initially hesitated to share her condition on Instagram but decided to go ahead. “I had so many people message me and say, ‘Wow, this is what I have,’ or ‘This is what my mum has.’ It’s really important that we all band together and support one another. The more people who know, the better.”
Looking ahead, Erin hopes that Lipoedema will be recognised as a legitimate condition by Medicare, leading to better diagnosis and education for GPs. “We are so strong,” she shared, “We’ve gone through so much without knowing why. We only have one set of legs. We need to be nice to them and to ourselves. Some people choose to have surgery and others don’t. Whatever people decide is the best for their body is the best thing for them. We are all different people.”