september / october 2025
18 preserving our lymphatic systems.
The Good News: Because of the long-term damaging effects of lipedema such as increased likelihood of joint replacements, many major health insurance companies have begun covering lipedema reduction surgeries in recent years. It can be difficult to obtain coverage, which is understandable. Within each insurance company every individual plan differs regarding coverages and criteria required to qualify for approval.
The Bad News: Once I began researching surgeons, I found there are not many well-known lipedema specializing surgeons in the U. S. and very few are in-network with insurance providers. Most have chosen not to deal directly with insurance at all due to inappropriately low reimbursement rates considering the complexity and increased time required to remove the appropriate volume.
Depending on stage, lipedema surgeries can be done either awake with local anesthesia or under general anesthesia. Knowing I would be undergoing multiple procedures and for other personal medical reasons I decided awake under local anesthesia was best for me. Since my lower legs were the most advanced and symptomatic, I felt they should be treated first.
SURGERY WITH DR. THOMAS SU In December 2024, I underwent my first surgery with Dr. Thomas Su at ArtLipo Lipedema Surgery Center in Tampa, Florida. I chose Dr. Su because of his 15 years of experience treating lipedema and his aggressive approach. He is the surgeon most widely recommended within the lipedema community for treating
Before / after 1st leg surgery legs specifically due to his expertise with complex joints such as knees and ankles.
Traveling out of state for surgery was a first for me. Together with my daughter-in-love, Autumn, we packed for Armageddon and flew to Tampa. Dr. Su’ s team prepared me for every detail imaginable before and post-surgery making the entire process flawless.
My results were both immediate and life-changing. The lightness I felt lifting my legs after surgery was so incredible, I nearly twirled right off the table— thanks to Dr. Su working his magic like my fairy godmother in scrubs.
The numbness and tingling in my feet disappeared immediately, proof that the diseased tissue had been pressing on nerves for years. Once I moved past the expected post-op pain and tenderness, the constant aching in my legs was gone. For the first time, it felt as though my legs could breathe. With normal blood flow restored, exercise became easier than I expected. And as the swelling subsided over the following months, I discovered something I had never seen before— actual kneecaps and ankles. It was the closest I’ d ever come to finding my own glass slipper.
ArtLipo Lipedema Surgery Center 12634 Bassbrook Lane, Tampa, Florida 33626 Phone: 813.886.9090 www. ArtLipo. com
SURGERIES WITH DR. BEN PEARCE In 2025, I continued my surgical journey much closer to home with Dr. Ben Pearce at Reveal Beauty in Vestavia Hills, Alabama. Over the course of two procedures, he has carefully treated multiple areas on my torso, giving me welcome physical relief and steady progress forward.
From the beginning, my experiences with Dr. Pearce and his staff have been overwhelmingly positive. They are warm, supportive, and genuinely invested in their patients’ well-being. Dr. Pearce’ s background treating lipedema at Vanderbilt shows not only in his technical knowledge, but also in the compassion and patience he brings to every appointment. His thoughtful, measured approach has made me feel safe and cared for throughout the process— the kind of steady guidance every long journey needs. In a story where there are no instant transformations, Dr. Pearce has been like a trusted guide, helping me take the next steps toward regaining my health. Reveal Beauty 2871 Acton Road, Suite # 101, Vestavia Hills, Alabama 35243 Phone: 205.408.9787 www. revealbeauty. net
BEYOND THE BALL Cinderella’ s slipper was fragile, sparkling, and perfect. Mine was none of those things. My slipper wasn’ t glass— it was persistence, frustration, curiosity, and years of trial and error. It was the quiet determination to keep searching
Chasing my finish line
for answers even when they didn’ t come easily.
And while my story doesn’ t end with a fairytale transformation, it does end with something far more valuable: the truth. A diagnosis that fits, a clearer path forward, and the hope that sharing my experience may help someone else recognize their own“ slipper” sooner than I did.
Sometimes the real magic isn’ t in the perfect fit— it’ s in refusing to stop looking for it. I still have multiple surgeries ahead of me, and I know lipedema will always be part of my life. But each step takes me closer to lighter, freer movement and to finish lines I once thought were out of reach. I’ ll never stop chasing those finish lines— for my health, for a T1D cure, for the sparkle. The slipper wasn’ t glass, but it’ s not midnight yet. And when I finally get there, I’ ll have just one thing left to say: hold my glitter.