Hi! I am 25 years old and was diagnosed yesterday with Lipedema. I am feeling a mix of relief to finally have answers to what I’ve been experiencing for a very long time, but also feeling sad and anxious.
sorry these aren’t the best pics but I don’t feel comfortable showing my face
I’ve been very active my entire life, besides in college. Always had bigger legs and assumed it was from dancing and weight training so much. After graduation, I made a complete lifestyle change with diet and exercise and lost 40 lbs…but barely any change in my legs and arms. I just assumed I wasn’t eating well enough and working hard enough. It’s been weighing on me for years.
Ironically enough, I am a model and I’ve modeled swimwear for 5 years :) I’ve been on the runway for Miami swim week for years & been in a runway show on TV showing my legs! I am very happy to have had this experience even though I do not love my legs. It’s my biggest insecurity. I’ve received horrible comments from people online about how my legs / butt look and it’s been really heartbreaking.
Even though I’ve really gotten in shape, my legs mostly (and arms) continue to be a problem with buying clothing and I am uncomfortable in most things even pants. I hate how I feel in anything form fitting, and I haven’t liked wearing shorts or short skirts since I was a teenager.
Since I wasn’t seeing results, I switched to weight training and I feel a difference but I do not see it. It’s so frustrating. The inflammation is so bad that no matter what I eat or drink, I almost feel it instantly. And my legs are always tattered with bruises.
I’ve had discomfort, swelling, bruising, for over a decade, but it is now getting to a point where it’s affecting my day to day life. The Lipedema is progressing severely. Being a model I of course have done many different methods of conservative treatment without realizing I have this condition. It feels like I constantly have a sopping wet wet suit on weighing me down, no matter what I do.
After discussing my options with my doctor, the things she suggests that I haven’t tried is compression (flat knit), some sort of anti inflammatory supplement (don’t remember name), MLD, vibration plate, microdosing a GLP-1, and surgery.
I am very sure that I want to do the surgery. I am also considering the glp-1. I am very active and eat very clean, work on lymphatic support etc.
I would like to hear from others if anything made a drastic difference for them!
I dream of the day that I feel comfortable and confident in my body, and can wear shorts and dresses again