Deciding to go the liposuction route for my lipedema

I haven’t had time to really write much in the past month, as my job has been very busy.  However, at the end of November I had a consultation with the leading Lipedema liposuction surgeon in the Netherlands and he approved me for the treatment.

In total, I’ll be having 6 tumescent liposuction treatments over the course of the next 6 or so months in the following order:

  1. Both calves
  2. Left thigh
  3. Right thigh
  4. Butt/hips
  5. Both arms
  6. Stomach

The first treatment is at noon on January 6th, 2016 so it’s coming extremely fast.

On the topic of payment for the tumescent liposuction to treat lipedema…

Unfortunately, just like in the United States (and UK, probably Canada), liposuction is considered cosmetic.  It doesn’t matter that lipedema is destroying my veins, or my lymph system.  Never mind the fact that the placement of the fat and the weight of the lipedema fat is causing my knees and hips to hurt and stopping me from being able to walk or do simple daily activities like cleaning my house (without a million breaks…what takes a person 20 minutes could easily take me 2 hours).

So while we have submitted the surgery to my insurance, my husband and I aren’t exactly holding our breaths about them saying they’ll pay even though we got letters confirming I’ll be completely immobile in 5-10 years.

Since I’m still waiting for the decision from insurance, but because I don’t want to delay relief from this condition, I went ahead and paid for the first treatment myself.  My calves are costing me about 3200 euro all in.

So lets hope in the new year I’ll get pleasant news from insurance!

PetraAnn

PetraAnn was first diagnosed with Lipedema in fall 2015 after years of eating keto and exercising with no weight loss results.After diagnosis, she has gone through 8 tumescent liposuction procedures from 2016 until 2018 and on 17 December 2019 underwent an abdominoplasty to remove the remaining 3-4 liters of lippy fat and loose skin.
PetraAnn

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2 thoughts on “Deciding to go the liposuction route for my lipedema

  1. Thank you so much for this detailed and very informative blog. May I ask what surgeon/clinic you use in NL? I am fairly desperate to find a new doctor after all the doctors in the UK have not been able to assist. Your surgeon sounds good.

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