Sturdy Woman

We all know it can be difficult and expensive to have liposuction for lipedema, but what about the other costs associated with regular conservative lipedema treatment? After having a difficult month in May with my vein surgery denied by my new insurance and my pneumatic compression pump breaking, I started reflecting on the cost of having lipedema, lymphedma, venous insufficiency, and any other chronic condition. Even though 11% of women may have lipedema, it is under recognized, rarely diagnosed, and as a result, expensive for patients. Over three years, even with some help from my previous insurance company, I estimate my diagnoses cost me more than $14,000 out of pocket. That is the cost of wanting to feel better and the cost of not being seen.

Watch below to see how the costs break down across compression garments, self-care tools, education/support, and more. I also share ways I used things like my Flexible Spending Account to cut costs where possible.

Update: Since this video was first published in May 2023, I worked with my HR department to get vein treatment added to our insurance plan and my pump company sent me some new parts (free of charge) that fixed the machine. Be your own advocate. Ask for what you need.

What can you do to increase awareness of us and our conditions? Check out our latest Sturdy Woman swag for some ideas or my video about talking about lipedema.