Recently, one of my lovely post op clients travelled to Germany for lipoedema liposuction using the LLA technique with Dr Jorjani. Now six weeks into her recovery, she kindly shared the tips she wishes she'd known before travelling. With her permission, I'm sharing them here in the hope they make someone else's surgery journey that little bit easier.
Surgery is just one day. Recovery is journey and having the right support can make all the difference.
It may seem unnecessary when you're planning your trip, but after surgery you'll be glad you arranged it. Airport assistance is free and can make the journey home far less exhausting, especially when you're traveling alone, wearing compression garments and your mobility is limited.
One of the best things you can do is organise your recovery before you travel.
I always recommend booking your post-operative Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) appointments before surgery, a good therapist diary is often limited, so you can focus on healing rather than trying to find availability once you're home. Depending on your surgeon's advice and your recovery, two sessions a week for the first 6-8 weeks is often beneficial. Always follow the lead of your surgeon.
Purchase your garments using your current measurements, as advised by your surgical team.
As your swelling begins to settle, usually around three to four weeks, you'll often need to size down into a smaller garment. Many clients are surprised by how quickly this change happens, especially alongside experienced MLD.
My client found it helpful to have Arnica and Bromelain supplements ready to start after surgery. As always, follow your surgeon's guidance before taking any supplements.
A soft wedge pillow made resting and sleeping much more comfortable by keeping her legs elevated during those early weeks of recovery. Amazon have a few to choose from.
If you're booking an airport hotel, ask if they have an accessible room available.
My client said the shower chair made a huge difference when standing for long periods wasn't possible.
Sometimes it's the smallest things that make the biggest difference.
Hospital plugs are never where you need them! A longer cable means you can comfortably use your phone without constantly reaching or getting out of bed.
Staying hydrated is so important after surgery, and these were a simple addition to her recovery kit. I’m loving EDJ sachets.
Your feet are likely to swell after surgery and during the flight home, so comfortable footwear that's easy to slip on is a must.
Loose linen trousers or maxi skirts fit comfortably over compression garments and are much easier to wear than anything tight or restrictive.
Showering isn't always possible during the first 48 hours, so these helped my client feel much fresher and more comfortable.
Not something everyone thinks about, but my client said it made using public toilets much easier when mobility was limited after surgery.
Looking at before and after photos, it's easy to focus on the visible changes.
What those photos don't show is the swelling, the compression garments, the reduced mobility, the emotional ups and downs and the patience recovery requires.
That's why preparing well before surgery and having the right support afterwards can make such a difference.
My client's progress six weeks after lipoedema liposuction (shared with permission). Recovery is still ongoing, but she's delighted with how far she's come.
"MLD with Libby has been amazing and has become one of the highlights of my post-operative recovery. In the early days, each session gave me a few precious days of improved comfort and easier mobility, and I could feel almost instant relief from the swelling and heaviness afterwards.
Libby's support has gone far beyond the treatments themselves. Her advice on post-operative recovery, supplements and self-MLD has been invaluable. She also helped ease my worries about post-op fibrosis, carefully working on any hard or tight areas, and my legs now feel incredibly soft.
I'm so grateful for her care and support throughout my recovery."
And because she insisted I include this...
"She sucks. Don't book with her. Keep her calendar free!"
Thankfully, I know she doesn't really mean it... although I suspect she'd quite like to keep my diary all to herself!
Recovery doesn't begin when you get home, it starts the moment your surgery is finished.
If you're travelling overseas for lipoedema surgery and would like to arrange your post-operative Manual Lymphatic Drainage before you return to the UK, I'd be delighted to support you through your recovery.
From reducing swelling and improving comfort to helping manage fibrosis and answering the questions that crop up along the way, I'm here to help you feel supported every step of the journey.
