Lipoedema Diet

A lipoedema diet is essential to manage the condition prior to and after surgery. There is evidence that a low-carb, low-inflammatory, no sugar, high good fats, and no caloric restriction diet helps to reduce pain and inflammation in lipoedema patients. It can also assist in weight loss.

We do not recommend attempting to start a plan independently, but to seek out assistance from a nutritionist or dietician familiar with lipoedema.

A lipoedema-friendly diet is an important strategy, although to conservatively manage the condition, the diet must be combined with other strategies. Even if surgery is not a consideration it is important to ensure all elements of conservative management are understood and implemented to avoid serious implications of lipoedema in the long term.

These treatments will be fully detailed during the group zoom session with Dr Lekich, but may include:

You can read more about conservative management here, or learn about Lipoedema during the Group Zoom Information Session. This is your opportunity to meet Dr Lekich and hear an overview of Lipoedema, the way it is diagnosed and treated, as well as what you can do now to get started before you see the Doctor for a one-on-one consultation. You can book a group zoom by clicking the button below.

Lipoedema Diet: Conservative Management Case Study

Meet Shelley, a 48-year-old patient from the Gold Coast.  Shelley says she first heard the term Lipoedema while listening to a podcast in 2022.  Up until then, Shelley believed she was deformed, due to the shape of her legs and her hyper mobility.  “No one in my circle knew of Lipoedema” Shelley says.  “I’d never sought help for my legs because I thought there was nothing I could do.” 

After researching online, Shelley decided to pursue a Lipoedema diagnosis and treatment pathway. Following a Group Zoom call with Dr Lekich, Shelley was subsequently diagnosed by Dr Kim Jackman in November 2022 as late stage 2 Lipoedema.  Shelley described receiving a diagnosis as a relief and very validating.  “I’m lucky because by the time I got a diagnosis, I had already done a lot of inner work, so to receive the diagnosis was an answer, another piece of the puzzle, unlike how for some women – it can be a bit oh no.”  Shelley says. It was at this appointment that Shelley also discovered she had a hole in her heart, venous conditions and fibrous legs – all of which would require treatment prior to pursuing a surgical pathway. “I definitely am on the right path, for what I can do at this stage” Shelley says. 

Shelly says she is a self-declared ‘all or nothing type girl’ so the biggest challenge of her conservative management journey so far has been learning to slow down and reduce stress.  Shelley is undertaking daily dry brushing, self MLD, compression pumps morning and night, remaining as active as possible with strength training in the gym, utilising compression garments and learning about nutrition from nutritionist Kimmi Katte. 

Shelley says “Now that I am aware of the lymphatic system and how it works, I am better able to support my body with Lipoedema. I am more loving and nurturing of my body and have chosen movement and nutrition that bring me joy. I am more loving and tolerant to myself.”