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Welcome to issue #6 of Lipoedema Matters, a monthly newsletter created by Lipoedema Surgical Solution and Dr Chris Lekich.
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Image by Sarina Sommerauer
Title: You can do this/ I can do this:
These designs show a patient's arm with and without compression. It is meant to encourage all lipoedema sufferers that they can achieve what they want, even with lipoedema.
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Chatting with German artist
and Lipoedema Advocate
Sarina Sommerauer
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Sarina is an artist and trained art therapist from Germany. Utilising her artistic skillset, Sarina produces inspiring Lipoedema artworks to help raise awareness of the condition.
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Before I was diagnosed I went to many different doctors for my leg pain. Not one doctor mentioned the distinctive shape of my legs, so in the end I found out about the condition myself by chance via a YouTube video. In addition, there are currently very few doctors, at least in my area of Germany, who specialise in Lipoedema and can even make a diagnosis. This makes it very difficult to find a doctor, especially if you are not yet familiar with the condition, and of course there are months of waiting times. As far as I know, this has not changed. A lot of education is still needed, especially among doctors, so that Lipoedema is diagnosed early. Ideally, this should be done even before the affected person notices her own symptoms. We are far from being aware of the disease in society and the medical industry.
The first symptoms that I consciously noticed were a painful feeling in my legs, which mainly occurred when sitting for a long time or in bed in the evening. Long before that, however, I had other symptoms that I wasn't even aware could be symptoms of a disease. For example, I thought I was just sensitive when it came to my extreme sensitivity to pressure in my arms and legs. I also thought I was just not sporty enough when I felt heavy in my legs. I also noticed my knotty under skin much earlier, but thought that was just the way it was with me. And of course I had been wondering for a long time why my legs were getting more and more voluminous, and even exercising didn't change that. What I want to say is that many people don't even know the symptoms of Lipedema and therefore can't know that these are symptoms of a disease. Again, it is important to educate people at a young age so that they are aware of these changes in their own bodies.
The heaviness in my legs was the main thing that restricted me. I could hardly manage long hikes. I remember a hike in Peru where I reached my limits so much that I started crying from exhaustion, while everyone else had no problems at all. Even when cycling up a mountain, I could hardly keep up. I could never do a cartwheel, handstand or headstand either because my legs were just too heavy and I couldn't get them up. When I tried a headstand again for the first time after the operations and it actually worked, I even cried - but this time with sheer joy! Fortunately, pain has never restricted my activities.
The Lipoedema has already caused a secondary illness, namely restless leg syndrome. I will probably continue to have to struggle with this, because even the operations have unfortunately not improved anything in this respect. And of course the Lipoedema has also affected my psychological well-being. Being constantly confronted with reactions from those around me about my increasingly voluminous legs or having to experience that I have no control over them has had a strong impact on me since I was a teenager. Feelings of guilt, shame, loneliness, incomprehension, anger, sadness - these are just some of the feelings that Lipoedema triggered in me and that I had to learn to deal with. My self-confidence also suffered as a result, of course.
Through art therapy, I was able to work through many experiences from my youth and free myself from destructive ways of thinking and behaving. However, it is important for me to say that I have not yet come to terms with everything and that it is a continuous process! Art therapy can be a great help in dealing with the diagnosis of Lipoedema, because it offers so many possibilities! From biography work to body image work to the expressive expression of feelings - art therapy can bring the inner experience to the outside and thus access one's own feelings and even unconscious parts of oneself. Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy in which the client is supported in his process of inner confrontation by becoming artistically active himself. It is not about the therapist interpreting the client's own images, but about what the images trigger in the client! It is also not about creating aesthetically pleasing works, which means that one does not have to be artistically gifted for art therapy!
You can view and/or purchase more of Sarina's artwork from her etsy store here and Sarina can also be found on Instagram as @lipoedem_im_kopf here
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Sarina's Tips for
Living with Lipoedema
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Don't try to fight against your Lipoedema, because it is and remains a part of you! When you fight against Lipoedema, you are always fighting against yourself. Instead, try to accept it and find a good way to deal with it. Working through negative experiences and being aware of your own feelings are important factors on this path! So don't just look for help for your physical complaints, but also pay attention to your mental well-being.
Image by Sarina Sommerauer
Title: After Liposuction
For this design I was inspired by a photo I took of my legs after my first liposuction. It shows the situation after the surgery where the body is very injured and at the same time in the healing phase.
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Expressions of interest close Sunday 17 April
We are hosting a very special stylised photo shoot to celebrate women with Lipoedema! We want to invite our Lippy Ladies to feel glamorous and beautiful! Because you are!
And it’s all free! So we are covering the cost of:
- 1 hour hair and makeup
- 30 minutes with our personal stylist
- 30 minute individual photo shoot
- 5 professional photos provided to you after the shoot for your personal use
This year we are also encouraging family members that have Lipoedema to do this together! So why not ask your mother, daughter, sister, aunty or niece if they'd be brave enough to join you! Or if that's not an option, you are more than welcome to do it by yourself as well.
To be eligible, you must:
· be available to travel to Miami, Gold Coast on Tuesday 26th April - travel expenses not included
· be already diagnosed with Lipoedema
· be comfortable taking part in a full body photoshoot with our sensitive and nurturing stylist, for example wearing black briefs and singlet plus stylised accessories and/or fabric
Our goal is to make you feel nurtured, safe and supported by a team of women only with the intention to make you photograph as your fabulous self!
You will receive a minimum of 5 edited images for your personal use and we will be using the images on our social media, website, marketing and educational resources - so that we can continue spreading awareness about Lipoedema and celebrating you all.
Please email us here by the Sunday 17 April to express your interest - and please let us know your age and some details on the stage of your Lipoedema.
Participants are limited so get in quick! We will be selecting women that showcase different ages and stages of Lipoedema - there’s no criteria except having Lipoedema.
We can’t wait to create magic with you!
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Vein Doctors Group GP Education Evenings
Last month Dr Chris Lekich and Dr Gilles Laur presented two evenings of education on Phlebology and swollen legs including venous, lymphatic & Lipoedema diseases in Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Each event had an encouraging turnout from GPs and allied health therapists including podiatrists, manual lymphatic drainage therapists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and more.
We are dedicated to increasing awareness and education of Lipoedema.
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Lipoedema Live Q&A
On 8th March Dr Chris Lekich and Dr Gilles Laur held a live Q & A session, streamed on Facebook and Instagram, where they answered various questions submitted from the community via social media.
Watch the recording here »
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Keto Thai Chicken and Bok Choy Soup
By Clinical Nutritionist Kimmi Katte
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Ingredients:
(Serves 2)
- 300ml chicken broth
- 300ml coconut cream
- 30ml fish sauce
- 1 tbsp fresh chilli (or to taste - finely sliced)
- 600 grams bok choy (washed and finely chopped)
- 220 grams chicken thighs (thinly sliced)
- ½ cup fresh coriander leaves
- 30ml lemon juice
Directions:
- Bring the broth, coconut cream, fish sauce, and sliced chilli to a simmer then add the chicken to cook for about 2 minutes or until cooked. Make sure the liquid isn't boiling furiously.
- Quickly add the bok choy, and simmer for 30 seconds.
- Remove the pan from the heat and ladle into a serving bowl. Stir through the lemon juice, and sprinkle with coriander leaves.
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Want to be featured?
Please help us raise awareness and education by sharing your Lipoedema journey, art, business or organisation here.
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