Experience with liposuction

Liposuction for lipoedema: sustainable result with medical compression, self-management and a healthy lifestyle

Lipoedema is a widespread but often misunderstood and underestimated condition that affects the lives of millions of people worldwide. In addition to the physical suffering, the emotional and psychological burden can also be drastic. As a sufferer and coach, Tina Schwarz accompanies lipoedema patients. In this interview, she talks about her experiences before and after her liposuction and gives tips on how people can improve their quality of life with responsibility and initiative and consistent self-management. 

Ms. Schwarz, as a lipoedema coach, you now help people with lipoedema to regain their courage - what motivated you to do this?

"I have had type-1-diabetes since my youth, lipoedema on both legs and arms and an eating disorder - and had to learn to cope with a few strokes of fate. My personal attitude was the decisive lever that gave me courage, strength and confidence. Since I consciously enjoy every moment and know that I can actively influence how I deal with my illnesses, I have gained serenity and strength. As a lipoedema coach, I want to pass on my experiences and empower those affected to live well with the condition. I try to help them recognize their strengths and resources and find their way to a more self-confident, happier self." 

How long have you been working as a lipoedema coach?

"Since February 2018. Due to my medical history, it was and is a matter close to my heart to support women with lipoedema in particular. The reality is that those of us affected are still often not heard, not understood or ridiculed. It takes education and awareness-raising to break down existing prejudices and remove the stigma of the disease. Today, I want to give other patients the help I wish I had. I want to create an environment where they feel safe and understood. Through my holistic coaching approach, I show them how they can lose weight, manage their pain and improve their quality of life - be it through regular exercise, medical compression, a change in diet and mental self-care. That's my motivation every day!"

What were your own experiences like? How did you cope with your illnesses as a teenager?

"From the age of 11, I had to inject insulin several times a day due to type 1 diabetes. Due to the large amount of insulin, I gained a lot of weight very quickly and went on my first diet at the age of 12. After phases in which I kept a meticulous eye on my weight, this was followed by excessive, uncontrolled binge eating. When I reached my personal maximum weight of 110 kilograms in 2012, I decided to get professional help and went to a psychosomatic clinic. There I was diagnosed with a binge eating disorder. I first had to learn to develop normal eating habits again. My portions were either too big or too small - depending on how I was feeling emotionally. I was diagnosed with lipoedema a few years later." 

When was that?

"In January 2015, after an acquaintance who also has lipoedema approached me about it. I then made an appointment with a phlebologist and did a lot of research on the condition. To be honest, I was scared of the diagnosis, but in the end it wasn't so bad - I was relieved to finally know why my figure is the way it is. Ever since puberty, my upper body had been rather narrow and my legs more voluminous. I also bruised easily and had pain in my legs. In my opinion, my type 1 diabetes also plays a role, as insulin can also stimulate the proliferation of fat cells as a side effect. Over the years, I was ashamed of my body and tried to hide it under loose clothing." 

How were you treated after your lipoedema diagnosis?

"I was initially prescribed six manual lymphatic drainage treatments and then a flat-knit medical compression garment. To get me started, the specialist at the medical supply store recommended the mediven mondi* and showed me how to put it on with various donning aids. Since then, I have remained loyal to the manufacturer medi. The compression stockings are comfortable to wear and I love the variety of colors - even though I chose black for my first fitting. Today I wear the mediven cosy* with a slightly firmer wall stability and the side seam. I also go for manual lymphatic drainage when necessary and regularly use a compression therapy device for home use (intermittent pneumatic compression) ."

How did those around you react to your diagnosis at the time?

"It is generally difficult for family and friends to understand what it is like to have lipoedema. The public is not yet sufficiently informed and sensitized about it. There are many prejudices, for example that lipoedema sufferers only need to eat less to lose weight. It is crucial to address these issues in order to promote empathy and acceptance and stimulate discussion. For lipoedema patients, the support of those around them is essential. My husband was always very understanding, empathetic and patient - that gave me strength. I also went to a specialist clinic to find out more about the condition and receive comprehensive treatment. There it was also discovered that I not only have lipoedema on my legs, but also on my arms. Accordingly, I was prescribed additional medical compression arm stockings at the time." 

Liposuction on arms and legs - experiences after liposuction for lipedema

What else can help with lipoedema?

"Exercise regularly and do sport. Personally, I strengthen my muscles with strength training, enjoy cycling, going for walks or swimming now and again. And I love trampolining and have trained as a jumping and health trainer. But it's just as important to be good to yourself and accept your body as it is. A first step can be to talk openly about your fears and worries - be it with friends, therapists or other sufferers in self-help groups or online. I also decided two years ago to have liposuction, where fat cells are removed." 

How did the procedure go?

"I had a total of four operations between January 2023 and April 2024: first liposuction on my arms including surgical skin tightening, then the back and front of my legs and finally minor corrections. The last procedure was necessary because I was still in pain in places on my arms and legs and I wasn't entirely happy with the result. I paid the costs myself. In addition to manual lymphatic drainage, I wore a medical compression garment day and night for about six to eight weeks after the operations. This reduced the swelling and provided optimal support after the operations." 

Were the operations painful?

"I hardly needed any painkillers during the liposuction and tightening of my arms, although larger flaps of skin were also removed. It was definitely more uncomfortable on my legs and when climbing stairs or squatting I thought my knees would burst due to the swelling. It was only about nine months after the last operation that I felt much less pain. It's not for nothing that they talk about a year of healing - and you have to give yourself and your body that time!"

Were there any requirements that you had to fulfill before the operation?

"It definitely makes sense to lose weight depending on your initial weight. This also reduces the risk of complications. In my opinion, it is important to focus nutrition, emotional eating and alternative coping strategies. In addition, conservative treatment approaches such as manual lymphatic drainage, medical compression stockings and exercise therapy should be completely exhausted, i.e. no improvement in lipoedema should be achieved over a longer period of time. Only then does it make sense to consider liposuction treatment."

Would you recommend liposuction to other lipoedema sufferers?

"Liposuction should not be underestimated and should not be a decision taken lightly. Those affected should be aware that liposuction can reduce symptoms but cannot cure lipoedema. Self-management and a healthy lifestyle are more important after the operation than before. We still have a responsibility to show initiative and take a reflective approach to managing our lives with the condition. For me, this means continuing to wear medical compression on my legs - only my medical compression armsleeves are no longer necessary since the liposuction of my arms." 

Ms. Schwarz, thank you very much for the interview!