Self-managing lipoedema

After receiving a diagnosis of lipoedema, you may feel overwhelmed by the fact that it can't be cured and by its time-consuming therapy. It can seem as though lipoedema, and its treatment dominate life. Progress in lipoedema treatment can be gradual, making it challenging to stay motivated and committed to therapy.

Therefore, self-management has become an important part of lipoedema treatment. Taking a leading role and responsibility in your treatment is essential to achieve changes. Setting realistic and achievable goals is crucial to avoid disappointment and ensure you recognise your achievements. Soon enough, you’ll begin to recognise the benefits:

• Self-management can improve your general health and quality of life.
• It can improve your self-esteem and reduce your lipoedema symptoms.
• It ensures the success of your therapy in the long term.

Self-management requires a deep understanding of your disease, especially of how pain develops. When you understand lipoedema and understand the treatment principles, you’ll find it easier to cope with your disease and to discuss with your Healthcare Professional, or health insurance provider.

Here are few examples of how you can contribute to managing your lipoedema:

• Understanding how compression therapy works and how to apply it on your own is essential.
• Regular exercise improves your lipoedema symptoms and overall well-being and contributes to successful weight management.
• A healthy diet also supports successful weight management.
• A good skin routine helps your skin to recover from compression therapy and can prevent skin irritations.
• Consider joining a self-help group to stay motivated and connect with other women with lipoedema.

At the same time, it’s important to know when and where to ask for professional support.

Self-management allows you to take a leading role in the treatment of your disease. It helps to maintain therapy success and to improve your overall well-being.