Summary

Only 2.5 years ago I was living a healthy life. Actively dancing, mountain biking, kayaking, snowboarding, scuba diving for work, and enjoying the beauty of my home in Squamish, BC. Rapidly, things started to change. My body started inexplicably taking on weight. I felt lethargic, pain throughout my arms and legs, unexplained swelling, changes in my heart rate, and hormones.

I have been provided with a diagnosis of Lipolymphedema (detailed below). Albeit, this is one piece of the puzzle it's not the whole picture of my health and its the one diagnosis where there is no treatment in Canada This is a chronic condition unfortunately, and there is no cure. However, there is a way to drastically improve my quality of life through surgery. This surgery is not available nor covered by our medical system in Canada, and costs a prohibitive 120k Canadian overseas.

This surgery will remove the fibrous tissues, improve lymphatic and vascular movement , and significantly reduce pain and increase mobility. The largest and most robust study on this is from Germany and is known as LIPLEG (see link below).

Details

Lipolymphedema - my lymphatic system is overwhelmed and cannot drain fluid throughout my body properly causing incessant swelling in my hands, feet and limbs. The result is a compounding cycle of pain, swelling, immobility, and progressive tissue damage. Once lipedema moves to the comorbidity of lymphedema, the lymphatic system is burdened where less invasive treatments (e.g., manual lymphatic drainage, compression garments, swimming) cannot adequately address my symptoms. Without surgical intervention, lipolymphedema is resistant to treatment.

The tissue in my arms and legs has now progressed into a fibrous tissue now where it has become hard, painful and impossible to remove without surgery. My day to day these last 2.5 years has progressed to where I can barely walk somedays, a constant need to elevate my feet to reduce the blood pooling and swelling, and an inability to do many of the activities that I once loved without excruciating pain and burden. My work has also suffered because multiple days (and even hours) out in the field or ocean as a biologist is impossible to do. I love my work and my community, but I haven’t been able to support and participate in the many ways I have in my local networks. I miss mentoring, I miss contributing, I miss sharing - it is all so important to me and gives me purpose in this crazy human life. From being a local biologist always checking up on things, to mentoring women and friends on the rivers, to feeling the snow in my face laughing with friends. I want to be the best human I can be and I can’t do that right now and our medical system unfortunately SUCKS for getting me better.

Multiple surgeries is also not a decision I take lightly. It actually terrifies me to know that I will be undergoing major surgeries again. I thought after emergency back surgery I would never have to go back to a hospital again, sadly this isn’t what has transpired in my life.

Why I Cannot Get This Treatment in Canada

Despite living in Canada and having access to the public healthcare system, I have no treatment available to me here and neither does every one woman with this disease. Currently, Canada does not recognize lipedema as a disease unlike other countries (e.g., USA, Germany, Austria) and the 2019 International Classification of Diseases (ICD). Therefore, the condition is not well understood within the Canadian medical system, and there are no practitioners in specializing in lipedema surgery. Manual lymphatic drainage, which is one of the key conservative management tools, is also not an insured service in British Columbia.

The Canadian healthcare system does not recognize or fund medical interventions for lipedema or lipolymphedema, which leaves me with no options other than to seek treatment elsewhere.

Treatment Options - Germany

Germany is the world leader in lipedema and lipolymphedema research and treatment. In July 2025, the German Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) recognized surgical removal of the affected tissue as medically necessary and is covered by Germany's statutory health insurance for all stages of the condition. Although the USA is much closer for treatment it is much more expensive, and therefore was outruled in my research.

What the Funds Will Be Used For

I am hoping to raise $122,000 CAD to cover the surgery I have budgeted carefully. This includes:

After surgery, patients typically follow a structured recovery plan that includes wearing compression garments to reduce swelling and improve circulation, manual lymphatic drainage to support healing and minimize fluid retention, and a gradual return to activity.

Timeline

Lipolymphedema is progressive. The goal of treatment is: (1) to improve quality of life by managing symptoms; and (2) to prevent the condition from worsening further. Without surgery, the abnormal tissue and fluid accumulation will continue to compound, causing greater pain, reduced mobility, and increasing damage to the lymphatic system. Conservative management alone will not halt progression at this stage.

I have exhausted what is available to me in Canada. I am asking for help to access the only evidence-based, effective treatment that exists for my condition, in Germany where surgery is now formally recognized as a medical necessity.

Every contribution helps me move towards being able to live my life again without the daily burden of this disease. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or if you prefer to an alternative means to send funds.

I understand money cannot be given by everyone and that is okay! I hope you can take the time to read a few resources, sign the petition, and write a letter to your Provincial Health Minister to help make this disease supported in Canada's medical system and improve women's health <3

RESOURCES

Petition to the Government of Canada

Template Letter to Your Provincial Health Minister

Standard of Care USA

Lipedema Canada - Patient Resources

LIPLEG Study Overview