Testimonial from a patient with lipedema in her arms
Through her testimony, a patient with stage 2 lipedema on her arms shares her experience.
WAL liposuctiontreatment of this area.
How did you hear about Dr. Nicolas Zwillinger?
Pure coincidence while researching a topic other than lipedema.
How did your first lipedema consultation with Dr. Nicolas Zwillinger go?
After realizing thatDr. Nicolas Zwillingerwas the leading specialist in lipedema in France, and knowing that I had the condition without having been diagnosed by another doctor (because no one took me seriously), I decided to make an appointment and asked if he was qualified to make the diagnosis. When I received an affirmative answer, I immediately made an appointment.
The first appointment went extremely well. Dr. Nicolas Zwillinger confirmed that I wasn't crazy and that the condition that had been plaguing me for several years wasn't a figment of my imagination, but indeed lipedema.
After this consultation, when did you set a date for your WAL liposuction surgery on your arms?
Immediately after leaving the consultation.
Once the diagnosis was made, I couldn't let this problem linger.
How did you prepare for this procedure?
Mentally, I didn't have to do anything. I was so happy to finally be understood that it was a relief.
Physically, by taking iron and vitamins to give myself the best chance of success.
On the big day, tell us how it went:
Admission to the clinic, arrival in your room, visit to the secretary's office to receive your post-operative documents:
My husband and children were present when I was admitted. Everything went very smoothly and quickly. I was struck by the extreme kindness of everyone I dealt with.
Everyone was lovely and kind, making me feel very comfortable. I was given lots of explanations about the operation and the post-operative period, with all kinds of tips and recommendations. I was looked after all day long, with frequent visits from the clinic staff to make sure everything was OK. The whole team took great care of me.
You left the clinic at the end of the day. How was your return home and the first few days after surgery (pain, discharge, nursing care)?
The first seven days were quite difficult, in the sense that I didn't expect to have so much discharge. It was quite difficult because I wasn't expecting it at all (I was right to buy two compression sleeves) and I was so tired.
The nights were quite difficult because of the pain. The daily nursing care provided every day allowed me to see the changes in the appearance of my arms and to better manage the pain.
It's now been a month since your surgery. How are you feeling? (Satisfied? Painful? Physical therapy sessions?)
I am overjoyed and extremely grateful toDr. Nicolas Zwillingerfor "saving" my life, because I was in agony and my "big arms" complex was ruining my life.
Now, seven weeks after the operation, I have had 12 physiotherapy sessions (which I really enjoy because they do me a lot of good). I still have slight swelling and pain at times, which is why I continue to wear the sleeves at night. Today, I started exercising again at the gym, doing gentle, adapted movements.
I am extremely satisfied with the result, and I imagine I will be even more so in a few months when everything is back to normal.
I have absolutely no regrets about having the surgery. On the contrary, if I had to do it again, I wouldn't hesitate for a second.
When I saw the photo of my arms taken by Dr. Nicolas Zwillinger before the operation, I couldn't hold back my tears because I was so moved and amazed by the before and after results.
“Now I feel so much better in my body, so thank you to Dr. Nicolas Zwillinger.”
Since 2018, we have been working together to combat lipedema in France. The Lipœdème.Franceassociation is dedicated to patients with lipedema, regardless of the stage of the disease.
By keeping an open mind, this group allows patients to freely share their feelings and opinions and to submit their questions to the relevant professionals.
These same professionals, in collaboration with Dr. Nicolas Zwillinger, are ready to interact with you via this group.
The group is open to everyone, whether you are a patient or a loved one, all are welcome. Group members are encouraged to share their experiences (photos, testimonials, etc.) freely.
We would like to thank this patient for sharing her story, which highlights the existence of lipedema on the arms and the possibility of treating this area with WAL liposuction.