Hi everyone, cross-posting here and in the main forum...

My doctor suspects that I have Lipedema and Lymphedema (Stage 1) and wants me to see a specialist. Is there anyone out there that has gone to someone that can help or helpful tricks? Looking for a specialist is hard I guess since some Plastic surgeons do many other procedures as well (I'm seeing that liposuction is the only way to remove lipedema?

Until I can see a specialist, I got compression garments and they seem to help wonders. I know I posted about specific compression garments and I really wish they made 40-50's in leggings only (but they only go up to 20-30's since they said if someone needs 40-50's then they need help around the feet as well). I also found that 30-40's help as well, but the 40-50's REALLY keep me together.

The reason I want leggings is that I just want to wear something that I can wear flip flops in the summer. Wishing that they made the black compression stockings, with a lighter foot so it still looks like the illusion of being barefoot... lol

Wait, so having over 40 pounds of excess skin and tissue removed and you aren't 40 pounds lighter? How does that work?! A phenomenon, indeed! I will have to read up on that.

How was your recovery?

I have had several procedures. I also carry most my weight in my hips, buttocks and thighs (thanks to lipodemia).

Surgery 1 - panniculectomy, brachioplasty, bra line lift. Total removed was 15 lbs of skin, fat and other tissue

Surgery 2 - liposuction to outer thighs, hip wedge incision. Total removed - 12 lbs of skin, fat and other tissue

Surgery 3 - liposuction to front of thighs, extended medial thigh lift. Total removed - 14 lbs of skin, fat and other tissue.

Now here is the kicker - my post-op weight is the same as before. It's actually a pretty common phenomenon. I don't regret the surgeries though! I look pretty good. My body is just stuck at around 200 lbs for some reason I cannot explain.

I will have another surgery later this year - more thigh lipo, outer thigh lift and a breast reduction/lift.

Hello

I went through the process of OHIP application. The surgeon submitted my application and was asked for further info. He sent it and they denied. He resubmitted. Denied. He handed me the papers and said "good luck with the appeal." I immediately started the process and submitted my appeal to the Medical Eligibility Committee. I had three doctors submit letters advocating for the necessity of this surgery. I wrote a three page letter outlining the impact the loose skin was having on my health. In December 2019 I received their decision. Denied. The MEC has not overturned one OHIP denial. Ever.

Good luck.

Hi Dee, I had a FDL with fascia tightening ~6 years ago. I won't Say the recovery was easy but it wasn't as bad as I expected. The 1st week was the worst and total recovery probably took 3-4 weeks. I slept in a recliner for the 1st week or so and was able to stand upright in 5-6 days. I wore a compression garment For several months. I was extremely lucky in that I had only 1 small necrotic spot where the vertical incision met the horizontal one and this healed relatively quickly and without consequence. I was below my goal weight, too small actually, at the time of the FDL and eventually gained to my goal weight which I maintained +/- 5 lbs until the last year.

I was diagnosed with a type of dementia ~3 years ago and it is affecting the hunger center in my brain, alternately making feel as though I'm starved and cant get enough to eat or causing me to have absolutely no desire in food. It is also screwing with my impulse control which really doesn't help when you're a grazer. I've gained and lost the same 50 lbs 3 times in the past year. I'm currently ~40 lbs over my goal weight and dropping. At this time food is of little interest to me.

I mentioned this last part so I could relay that in spite of the repetitive weight gain/loss, the results of the FDL have remained with little change in my abdomen. However, the love handles are determined to make a return appearance.

Hope this helps in some way.

Randy