Meet Rachael, a 40-year-old patient from New South Wales.
For much of her life, Rachael was unaware she had Lipoedema. It wasn’t until 2020, after starting to wear compression garments and visiting a Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) practitioner, that she finally learned the truth. “The practitioner took one look at my legs and said, I think you have Lipoedema,” Rachael recalls. Her journey to diagnosis was deeply personal, as her sisters also have Lipoedema and secondary Lymphoedema, and she suspects her mother may have suffered from the condition as well, though it was never diagnosed.
Rachael’s symptoms included swelling, easy bruising, and veins that weren’t functioning properly. “I couldn’t stand for long periods without my feet turning red and purple,” she shares. While Lipoedema didn’t stop her from activities like bushwalking and trail running, it made recovery significantly longer. “After a trail run, I’d have to pump my legs for an hour and a half and immediately put my compression back on,” she explains.
Her turning point came after a particularly active weekend in 2023. Rachael had completed a 20km walk one day, followed by a 15km walk the next. While she felt physically amazing, seeing a post-race photo alongside her sister—who doesn’t have Lipoedema—was disheartening. “My sister looked lean and fit, and I looked the same as always.” she recalls. Despite being active, her body didn’t reflect the effort, leaving her feeling defeated both physically and emotionally.
After extensive research and discussions with her husband, Rachael decided to consult with Dr Lekich at Lipoedema Surgical Solution. “After the Group Zoom Call, I had a really good feeling about it,” she says. “Dr Lekich made me feel so comfortable.”
Rachael’s preparation for surgery was thorough. For 18 months prior, she wore full compression garments and used a pump every night for an hour to an hour and a half. She also followed an anti-inflammatory diet, which was a natural fit as she was already gluten- and dairy-free. Her comprehensive conservative management included vein ablation and sclerotherapy with Dr Lekich, in addition to her Lipoedema surgeries.
In April 2024, Rachael underwent her first surgery, during which 4.2 litres of Lipoedema fat were removed from her lower legs using a Lymph-Sparing technique. Her second surgery, in July 2024, focused on the anterior thighs, with an additional 3 litres removed. She also had Renuvion treatment during this procedure to enhance skin laxity/redundancy.
Looking ahead, Rachael is determined to achieve her goals. “I want to feel comfortable in my own skin,” she says. She has set her sights on an ambitious challenge: completing a 22km ultra-trail run in the Blue Mountains by May 2025. “My main goals are to be strong, fit, and happy.”
Rachael is passionate about raising Lipoedema awareness. “Not many people know about the condition,” she says. “The more we advocate, the more people will have access to information, and hopefully, it will become normalised. The stats are so high, and it shouldn’t remain this foreign condition that nobody knows about.” Now, with her diagnosis, she can recognise the condition in other women and hopes to support them in their journeys.
Her advice to others is clear: “Find an MLD therapist who knows her stuff. Gather as much information as you can about conservative management. Go as hard as you can for as long as you can. Stay active, eat well, and know that all of it together makes a massive difference.”
To anyone suspecting they might have Lipoedema, Rachael’s words are resolute: “Don’t wait. Get diagnosed immediately. And don’t hate your legs—it’s not your fault. You were born this way, and you’re not alone.”