Elle’s Surgery for Lipedema

Hi my name is Elle- short for Elouise. Back in 2014 i was fighting for my life against a very rare form of ALCL non-hodgkins Lymphoma while pregnant. It went into remission for 9 months and i had to have even more cancer treatment- most experimental with unknown side effects.

Fast forward 7 years later- The side effects from chemo are heart/nerve damage, severe lymphatic damage.

After 6 years over 30 different doctors and hundreds of dollars on private consults I have an answer!

I was diagnosed with a fat disorder called Lipedema a disease where my body stores fat in my lower legs from a faulty lymphatic system and it is not recognised or a funded treatment in NZ.

I have to travel to Australia to have surgery $13000 plus flights, accomodation and specialist compression garments.

I have spent years in the gym bodybuilding and my weight would not shift from my lower legs even with extreme training and dieting.

I have episodes of serious cellulitis on my lower legs and blood poisoning; this is directly related to the Lipedema and my lymphatic system. I cannot run, jump, hike or take long plan rides this causes

excruciating pain and swelling in my legs.

There have been days this condition plays havoc on my mental health- I cry and feel so ashamed that I refuse to wear shorts/skirts and cover up my lower legs as much as possible.

My dream is to is to enter a bodybuilding competition.

Could you please help me experience the best life i possibly can?