Jill on recognising lipedema, getting diagnosed, and finding a routine that works

Shelley speaks with Jill about her lipedema journey, from noticing unusual leg size at 12 or 13 to finally getting diagnosed in October 2024. They focus on the practical side of living with lipedema, including pain, swelling, food choices, movement, and the mindset shift that comes with understanding your body better. Jill also shares the tools and routines that help her most, including structured meals, carb cycling, pool work, and simple lymphatic support strategies. The episode is especially useful for anyone looking for realistic, non-extreme ways to manage symptoms day to day.

• Jill first noticed differences around puberty, especially bigger thighs and legs compared with her friends

• She says pain has never been her biggest issue, aside from occasional discomfort when she overdoes it

• Swelling and fluid retention are more noticeable, especially after busy workweeks and lots of steps

• Jill describes the relief of finally being diagnosed after seeing the documentary Fat Ass and then finding a practitioner nearby

• She shares the mindset shift from “I have lipedema” to “lipedema doesn’t have me”

• Food became clearer after diagnosis, especially how sugar, insulin, and portion size affect her body

• She explains how she uses carb cycling in a flexible, non-restrictive way rather than strict dieting

• Water exercise and warm pool movement are a major part of her symptom management

• She talks through her daily support tools, including legs-up-the-wall, moisturising, dry brushing, massage, and the Chelsea Jean gloves

• Jill and Shelley both emphasise self-compassion, experimentation, and not blaming yourself when one approach doesn’t work

00:00 - Introducing Jill and the lipedema conversation

01:29 - First signs something was different at 12 or 13

01:37 - Jill’s experience with pain and why it has been mild for her

02:08 - Swelling, fluid retention, and busy-workday management

03:00 - Getting diagnosed in October 2024 and the relief it brought

04:41 - Moving from self-blame to better understanding

05:09 - Food, vegetarian experiments, and why the right approach is individual

06:34 - Learning from podcasts, books, and expert advice

07:24 - Why Jill prefers conservative management over surgery

08:29 - Why water exercise works so well for her body

09:31 - The story of the sudden belly change around age 30

10:16 - A parallel story about overdoing it and misunderstanding energy crashes

12:23 - How Jill currently supports her lipedema day to day

13:51 - Why insulin is central to her nutrition choices

14:16 - Resetting sugar addiction with a 90-day no-sugar approach

15:05 - Eating carbs with protein and avoiding “naked carbs”

16:14 - What low-carb, medium-carb, and high-carb days look like in practice

18:38 - Why carb cycling feels less restrictive than it sounds

19:21 - Jason Fung, insulin resistance, and fasting

20:18 - Why keto is not Jill’s preferred long-term approach

21:11 - Tools, supports, and what she uses instead of heavy compression

22:29 - Building a positive mindset and making daily care feel purposeful

23:45 - What Jill wishes she knew before diagnosis

24:28 - Watching the next generation and helping daughters get earlier answers

Stay connected: Subscribe to The Lipoedema Podcast for education, lived experiences and conversations with health professionals.

Shelley ⁠https://www.instagram.com/shell_peers

Tiana

⁠https://www.instagram.com/me_and_my_lipoedema⁠

The Lipoedema Podcast

Instagram

⁠https://www.instagram.com/the_lipoedema_podcast/⁠

Facebook

⁠https://www.facebook.com/thelipoedemapodcast⁠

YouTube

⁠https://www.youtube.com/@thelipoedemapodcast⁠

Spotify

⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/⁠thelipoedemapodcast

Dr Jen Sanderson joins Shelley and Tiana to explain what compression pumps are, how they work, and who can benefit. The conversation focuses on using pumps for lipoedema, lymphedema, post-operative recovery, and sports recovery, with practical guidance on pressure settings, safety, and when to seek professional support. In this episode, Jen also shares why hydration, breathing, and the right sleeve coverage matter just as much as the pump itself. This discussion is especially useful for anyone deciding whether a pump is worth it, how often to use it, and how to make sure it fits their symptoms and treatment plan.

00:00 - Introduction to the episode and guest

01:18 - What a compression pump is

02:06 - Why people use compression pumps

04:08 - Graduated compression and how pump cycles work

05:37 - Why therapist guidance matters

08:31 - Medical pumps versus sports recovery devices

10:08 - How lipedema and sports recovery differ in pump use

12:13 - Body areas that can be treated

12:59 - Why half the body is usually enough at once

15:26 - Why fluid can shift to the upper body

16:57 - Deep breathing to help clear the thoracic duct

19:04 - Daily use versus a few times per week

23:31 - How to tell if the settings need adjusting

25:14 - Why pressure must be individualised

28:28 - Compression pumps before and after surgery

32:44 - Pregnancy precautions and pressure changes

34:46 - Conditions and situations where pumps may not be safe

37:08 - Long-term use and reducing recurrent cellulitis

39:39 - Where to try a pump

40:47 - How the rent-to-buy scheme works

43:38 - How to contact Medirent for questions

45:17 - Closing thoughts on individualised care

Learn more about Medi-Rent via their website https://medirent.com.au/

Hosts on Instagram

Shelley ⁠https://www.instagram.com/chai_latte_2go

Tiana

⁠https://www.instagram.com/me_and_my_lipoedema⁠

The Lipoedema Podcast

Instagram

⁠https://www.instagram.com/the_lipoedema_podcast/⁠

Facebook

⁠https://www.facebook.com/thelipoedemapodcast⁠

YouTube

⁠https://www.youtube.com/@thelipoedemapodcast⁠

Spotify

⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/⁠thelipoedemapodcast

In this episode, Charlotte Wolfenden shares her personal journey with lipoedema, her insights on navigating the healthcare system, and the importance of self-advocacy and tailored treatment options for women with lipedema.

Chapters

• 00:00 — Introduction to Charlotte Wolfenden and her journey with lipedema

• 11:04 — Charlotte’s experience with lipedema symptoms and diagnosis

• 27:44 — The importance of touch-and-feel services for compression garments

• 59:58 — Charlotte’s surgical experiences and recovery process

• 77:44 — Seeking help within the medical system and early challenges

• 72:11 — The significance of self-advocacy and patient empowerment

• 72:11 — Impact of personal experiences on professional life and clinic creation

• 55:32 — The influence of social media and misinformation in lipedema awareness

• 49:58 — Building a specialised clinic for women with lipedema

• 05:32 — What to expect during a first consultation at the clinic

• 33:19 — Range of garments and treatment options available

• 33:19 — Future hopes for lipedema recognition and support

• 22:13 — Charlotte’s advice for women navigating lipedema

• 33:19 — Where to find Charlotte and closing remarks

Hosts on Instagram

Shelley ⁠https://www.instagram.com/chai_latte_2go

Tiana

⁠https://www.instagram.com/me_and_my_lipoedema⁠

The Lipoedema Podcast

Instagram

⁠https://www.instagram.com/the_lipoedema_podcast/⁠

Facebook

⁠https://www.facebook.com/thelipoedemapodcast⁠

YouTube

⁠https://www.youtube.com/@thelipoedemapodcast⁠

Spotify

⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/⁠thelipoedemapodcast