Hi, my name is Stephanie, and I’m a single mum of two teenage boys living in the UK. I’ve spent years battling chronic pain, limited mobility and declining confidence due to a condition I only recently discovered has a name: Lipoedema.

In January 2025, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Lipoedema, affecting my legs, hips, buttocks, arms, and possibly lower abdomen (types 3 & 4). I also live with Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which commonly co-exists with Lipoedema and adds to my daily pain and fatigue.

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Living with Lipoedema

I’ve lived with the symptoms of Lipoedema since I was around 10 years old, when puberty triggered the condition. Pregnancy worsened it. For decades, I was told my body shape was just “normal” or “weight-related” — despite constant pain, bruising, and swelling.

Because of delayed diagnosis and a lack of awareness among medical professionals, I never had the chance to try early, conservative treatments. Now I wear compression garments, use a vibration plate at home, and get manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) every 4 weeks, but these only slow the progression.

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How Lipoedema Has Impacted My Life

• I can no longer bake, an activity I loved, because it’s physically too demanding.

• I gave up singing in public, something I once adored, due to my inability to stand and my low self-esteem.

• I love the theatre, but I can’t fit in the seats anymore.

• I’ve missed out on precious memories with my children because of the limitations this condition causes.

• Even walking my dog is something I now rely on others to do.

I feel like a prisoner in my own body, trapped by pain, swelling, and loss of mobility.

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The Treatment I Need

The only effective treatment for Lipoedema is Water-Assisted Liposuction (WAL) — a highly specialised surgery that removes the diseased fat without damaging the fragile lymphatic system.

I will require multiple surgeries to remove the Lipoedema fat from my legs, hips, arms, and buttocks. I’ll also need:

• Regular post-op MLD therapy (multiple times per week)

• Made-to-measure compression garments

• Travel and accommodation for surgery abroad

• And possibly skin removal surgery later on, as excess skin can lead to painful infections and further mobility issues.

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Why I Need Your Help

The NHS does not offer treatment for Lipoedema, and I do not have private health insurance. This leaves me with no choice but to seek help from the community.

I’m hoping to receive surgery at Lipemedical in Madrid with Dr. Burgos de la Obra, a pioneer in Lipoedema treatment in Europe and a specialist in the WAL technique.

This surgery isn’t cosmetic. It’s medical. It will reduce my pain, improve my quality of life, and help me regain my independence.

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What Your Support Means to Me

I want to:

• Take my kids on days out and be present in their lives

• Say “yes” when friends invite me out

• Walk my dog without pain

• Get back to doing the things I love — singing, baking, and just being me again

Once I’ve completed and recovered from my WAL surgeries, I’ll explore my options for skin removal, as this may be necessary for health and comfort.

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Every Donation Helps

Whether you can donate or just share this page, I’m so incredibly grateful for your support. Your kindness brings me one step closer to a life not ruled by pain and limitation.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart,

Stephanie