Hello Mrs.F, could you introduce yourself?
Liposuction Wal Chevilles – My name is Mrs.F, I am 28 years old and I have known for two years that I had lipoedema.
For a long time, I tried to understand what was causing my pain, but no matter how much I consulted, I was told it was temporary.
I went to an angiologist in 2019 to have an echo-doppler scan, and he was able to diagnose me with lipoedema of the lower limbs. However, the doctor also told me that there was no cure for the condition today.
What were your symptoms?
I’ve always felt pain exclusively in my ankles and some swelling at the end of the day.
I didn’t understand the reason for the pain, and those around me told me that there was nothing to be done and that it would pass in time. But the pain wouldn’t go away, it was always there and always intense.
How did you find out about the possibility of undergoing surgery and, more specifically, liposuction WAL ankle socks?
I wasn’t convinced that there was no solution, so I started doing my own research into lipoedema.
I started my research on the internet and while browsing I discovered the lipoedème-france.com website, one of the only French sites dedicated to this disease.
I then talked to my GP about WAL liposuction, a technique for treating lipoedema. My GP reassured me and supported my surgical project.
I then followed on social networks, more specifically on instagram, patients who had undergone WAL liposuction operated on by Dr.Zwillinger.
They talk about their procedure, and it’s a bit like feedback. The feedback was very reassuring and convinced me to make an appointment with Dr. Zwillinger for a consultation. It was an opportunity for me to talk to a doctor who can offer me a solution and make a real diagnosis.
How did your first consultation with Dr. Zwillinger go?
I made an appointment via doctolib with the doctor for April 2021.
The appointment took place at Dr. Zwilinger’s office, where I was able to explain my pain and present the results of my examination (echo-doppler).
Dr. Zwillinger carried out his diagnosis and confirmed that I was indeed suffering from stage 1 lipoedema of the lower limbs, and that the pain I was experiencing was indeed linked to this condition. He then suggested liposuction using the WAL (Water-Assisted-Liposuction) technique to treat my lipoedema.
Following this consultation, I received a quote, an information sheet detailing WAL liposuction and a prescription for a lymphoscintigraphy.
When did you decide to carry out the operation?
After this initial consultation, I thought about it for a few days, as it was an important decision to make.
It was after a week that I made my decision and sent an e-mail to Dr. Zwillinger’s secretary to find out what surgery dates would be available after the start of the school year.
Can you tell us about the preparations for this operation?
At the end of July 2021, I rescheduled my appointment with Dr.Zwillinger as I felt the need to talk to him again before the operation scheduled for October 2021.
My main concern was to make sure that there was no risk of recurrence of the fat removed in the treated area, and the doctor confirmed that this would not happen with the WAL technique. We then discussed the area to be operated on, i.e. ankles and socks only, as this was where my pain was concentrated, and it was this area that I wanted to treat first.
It was after this meeting that I received by e-mail all the information I needed to schedule my intervention.
I received the consent and estimate to sign, as well as all the medical prescriptions and various prescriptions needed for the post-operative period, such as those for nursing care. As a result, I was able to schedule the nurses to provide home care the day after the operation.
My operation was scheduled for early October 2021 at the Clinique Etoile, and I was waiting patiently for that date!
To prepare for my operation, I also booked an appointment with the anesthetist at Clinique Etoile, Dr.Gloulou, via the Qare app. I was able to discuss the different types of anesthesia with him during a video consultation.
My mother, who attended the consultation with me, wasn’t comfortable with the idea of me having a general anaesthetic, so after discussing the matter with Dr. Gloulou we agreed to carry out the procedure under spinal anaesthetic. What’s more, as it was a small area to be operated on, I wasn’t any more stressed than that at the idea of being awake during the procedure.
How did your intervention go?
The big day has finally arrived!
I arrived at Clinique Etoile at the agreed time. First, there’s registration at the clinic’s admission desk. Then I was taken to my room and met the nurses who would be looking after me.
Then we went to the operating room. I saw Dr. Zwillinger in the operating room and we exchanged ideas to re-situate the area to be operated on, he drew pictures on my ankles and then I settled in for the spinal anaesthetic.
Once the anesthesia was administered, the medical drapes were installed and the liposuction was performed.
I was conscious and didn’t feel any pain. I talked to the anesthetist to relax.
Once the operation was over, I was taken to the recovery room for a few moments and then returned to my room. I had my first snack, and then Dr. Zwillinger’s secretary came to see me in my room to explain the post-operative protocol. I was able to ask her any questions I had, particularly about the double restraint…
The nurses at the clinic helped me get up for the first time, and at the end of the day, when I was fit to go out, I was able to join my mother, who was waiting for me to return home.
Tell us about your post-operative experience.
The first night was difficult, I had a vagal malaise and I had strong sensations of tightness in my ankles and heavy legs. I had some discharge but it didn’t last long.
The nurse who came to my home gave me lovenox injections, changed my dressings and also fitted my compression stockings and biflex bandage. Honestly, it was sometimes very difficult to bear the pain of the double compression.
I had to be patient, and I know that today patience is the virtue that is essential for a good convalescence.
I really appreciated the fact that Dr. Zwillinger’s assistant contacted me the day after the operation to check up on me. I told her about the post-operative effects, and she reassured me and gave me a few tips to ease my pain, such as using cold/frozen packets to put on the painful areas for a few moments when I woke up. I used bags of frozen peas, which gave me a lot of relief.
10 days after the operation I started my lymphatic drainage sessions and it was from that moment on that the oedema began to dissipate little by little.
A month after my operation, I went back to see Dr. Zwillinger at his practice for my post-operative appointment.
We went over the post-operative protocol and I was able to ask her a few more questions.
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