Life Changing Surgery for Lipoedema
Donation protected
When I was 15 I was diagnosed with a chronic disease called Lipoedema. The NHS define it as 'a long-term (chronic) condition where there's abnormal build-up of fat cells in the legs, thighs and buttocks, and sometimes in the arms. The feet and hands aren't affected, which creates a "bracelet" effect or "band-like" appearance just above the ankles and wrists.' This type of fat is completely unaffected by diet or exercise - once it is there, there is nothing you can do to get rid of it.
What they don't tell you is that the slightest knock to your skin will result in a bruise, the weight of your legs makes it feel like you have weights around your ankles, the fatigue levels are chronic, the swelling is sometimes so bad it feels like your skin is burning, on the worst days any touch is so painful it drives you to tears, as the disease progresses it presses on your nerves causing shooting pains, tingling and pins & needles. All the time.
At the time, the diagnosis was an answer to why most of my body looked normal but my legs were most definitely not. Then I was advised it had no cure and was progressive. My only treatment options at the time were compression garments to try and keep the disease at bay. However, I was 15 and people are mean. I have had a life time of looks and comments on why my 'legs are so fat' when the rest of me was tiny. Even the majority of the GP's I have had in my 35 years on this planet have had to google the disease as they had never heard of it!
There is now a light at the end of the tunnel in the form of a liposuction treatment which research has proven is an effective way of removing the abnormal fat cells and so far, has not seen them return in people who have undergone the surgery. There are very few surgeons in this country who are trained to do it and the NHS will not fund it. Although they recognise it is a treatment for this horrible disease, they still class it as cosmetic.
I have been to see a surgeon who has confirmed I am a great candidate for this operation. Or 4 as it turns out. 4 surgeries are required to remove this disgusting disease from my legs. And I need it as soon as possible before the situation becomes worse and my skin is stretched to such an extent it will not recover. Worse, my mobility gets less and less as the disease progresses, ultimately it could result in me being in a wheelchair.
I have set up this page with a heavy heart, I don't like to ask people for anything - I always feel perfectly capable of doing it on my own. However, on this occasion the thing I dream of most in the world is just out of my reach on a financial basis. So I am putting myself out there and asking if there is anything you feel you can give to help me change my life, I would be forever grateful.
What they don't tell you is that the slightest knock to your skin will result in a bruise, the weight of your legs makes it feel like you have weights around your ankles, the fatigue levels are chronic, the swelling is sometimes so bad it feels like your skin is burning, on the worst days any touch is so painful it drives you to tears, as the disease progresses it presses on your nerves causing shooting pains, tingling and pins & needles. All the time.
At the time, the diagnosis was an answer to why most of my body looked normal but my legs were most definitely not. Then I was advised it had no cure and was progressive. My only treatment options at the time were compression garments to try and keep the disease at bay. However, I was 15 and people are mean. I have had a life time of looks and comments on why my 'legs are so fat' when the rest of me was tiny. Even the majority of the GP's I have had in my 35 years on this planet have had to google the disease as they had never heard of it!
There is now a light at the end of the tunnel in the form of a liposuction treatment which research has proven is an effective way of removing the abnormal fat cells and so far, has not seen them return in people who have undergone the surgery. There are very few surgeons in this country who are trained to do it and the NHS will not fund it. Although they recognise it is a treatment for this horrible disease, they still class it as cosmetic.
I have been to see a surgeon who has confirmed I am a great candidate for this operation. Or 4 as it turns out. 4 surgeries are required to remove this disgusting disease from my legs. And I need it as soon as possible before the situation becomes worse and my skin is stretched to such an extent it will not recover. Worse, my mobility gets less and less as the disease progresses, ultimately it could result in me being in a wheelchair.
I have set up this page with a heavy heart, I don't like to ask people for anything - I always feel perfectly capable of doing it on my own. However, on this occasion the thing I dream of most in the world is just out of my reach on a financial basis. So I am putting myself out there and asking if there is anything you feel you can give to help me change my life, I would be forever grateful.
Organizer
Holly Thwaites
Organizer
