Lipedema Surgery, Diagnosis, and Recovery: Dr. Xu of Virginia Plastic Surgery

Hosts Cindy and Kristy introduce Stronger Than Lipedema and interview Dr. Xu of Virginia Plastic Surgery about his training and focus on lipedema and lymphatic surgery.

He describes how lipedema was often missed or misattributed to weight, the need for education, advocacy, and research, and how he evaluates patients via comprehensive history and exam, sometimes adding venous studies or lymphatic imaging to rule out lymphedema, venous disease, or other causes of swelling.

Dr. Xu explains his consultation process (virtual and in person), licensing limits for insurance billing, and that his practice is currently cash-pay. He outlines his lipedema liposuction approach under general anesthesia using power-assisted lipo and a staged 270-degree technique, avoids VASER for legs, discusses potential skin-tightening devices, and details post-op compression and lymphatic massage, with options when CLTs are unavailable. He also discusses hyperbaric oxygen therapy, training with Dr. Jorjani, arm/leg scar placement considerations.00:00 Welcome to the Show00:56 Meet Dr Xu01:07 From Training to Practice03:10 Why Plastic Surgery04:08 Discovering Lipedema05:37 Misdiagnosis and Awareness08:13 Virginia Practice Overview09:13 Consultation and Diagnosis13:47 Virtual Visits and Licensing15:44 Costs and No Insurance16:38 Lipedema Surgery Breakdown20:45 Aftercare Compression and MLD22:18 Compression Wear Reality23:11 Pre Surgery Therapy Prep24:43 Finding MLD Help Fast25:46 Pneumatic Compression Timing26:56 Hyperbaric Healing Boost29:51 Training With Dr Jorjani30:33 Leg Technique And Staging32:39 Arm Surgery Scar Strategy36:27 Thigh Scar Placement Tips38:46 Artistry In Lipedema Lipo41:17 Advocacy And Personal Drive44:22 Final Thanks And Wrap Up

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Kristy's Contact information:

IG⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/dellalunawellness/⁠

FB Group⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1F3pseJKUd/?mibextid=wwXIfr⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website Kristy Dellacroce, MS,OTR/L, MLD-C

⁠⁠ Dellalunawellness.com

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lipedema Advocate 856-297-7437

Cindy contact information

⁠FB:⁠ ⁠https://www.facebook.com/withcindyhowell⁠⁠⁠

Private FB Group:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/7021999704562921⁠⁠⁠⁠

IG:⁠⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/lipedema_withcindyhowell/⁠

Cindy Howell RN, CLT, MPCH

Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠www.withcindyhowell.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Lipedema advocate: 860-550-1161

Top 5 Foods to Avoid for Managing Lipedema! Link:⁠ https://withcindyhowell.com/checklist/⁠

Free surgery course: ⁠⁠https://l.bttr.to/6cATB⁠

https://www.instagram.com/vaplasticsurgery/

https://www.virginiaplasticsurgery.com/

Hosts Cindy and Kristy welcome Erika, also known as Trail to Health and founder of the Lipedema Summit, who shares her health journey from early signs of lipedema at puberty to a major flare after a 2016 stem cell therapy (using her own fat) pursued following years of severe, initially undiagnosed Lyme and other tick-borne diseases.

Erika describes rapid, hormonally linked weight gain, temporary relief from lymphatic drainage, and eight years of missed recognition by doctors before learning about lipedema through a gym acquaintance and an IV doctor, leading to a formal diagnosis in early 2024 and surgery in March.

She explains her motivation to educate others and outlines the patient-focused Lipedema Summit (June 10–12), featuring 60+ high-production interview-style sessions, free live access, optional replay/VIP Q&As, global experts, and an in-person LA event on June 11 with livestreamed Q&A, plus plans for an ongoing community.00:00 Welcome to the Show00:55 Meet Erika Schlick01:38 Early Signs and Puberty02:08 Tick Bite and Lyme Spiral02:33 Stem Cells and Weight Gain03:13 Searching for Answers04:32 Finally a Lipedema Diagnosis07:55 Why She Started Sharing09:31 Creating the Lipedema Summit12:43 Dates Passes and Access13:23 Who the Summit Helps14:50 Why Virtual Matters16:44 Sneak Peek at Speakers17:04 Speaker Lineup Highlights18:19 Practical Care Sessions18:32 How to Register19:12 Future Summits Community20:22 In Person LA Event21:32 Soft Landing Support23:03 Family Early Awareness26:40 Doctor Education Push27:54 Balancing Health Work30:25 Final Invite Wrap Up

Follow us on Social media!!!

Kristy's Contact information:

IG⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/dellalunawellness/⁠

FB Group⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1F3pseJKUd/?mibextid=wwXIfr⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website Kristy Dellacroce, MS,OTR/L, MLD-C

⁠⁠ Dellalunawellness.com

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lipedema Advocate 856-297-7437

Cindy contact information

⁠FB:⁠ ⁠https://www.facebook.com/withcindyhowell⁠⁠⁠

Private FB Group:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/7021999704562921⁠⁠⁠⁠

IG:⁠⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/lipedema_withcindyhowell/⁠

Cindy Howell RN, CLT, MPCH

Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠www.withcindyhowell.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Lipedema advocate: 860-550-1161

Top 5 Foods to Avoid for Managing Lipedema! Link:⁠ https://withcindyhowell.com/checklist/⁠

Free surgery course: ⁠⁠https://l.bttr.to/6cATB⁠Erika Schlick Contact information

https://www.instagram.com/lipedema.summit/

https://www.lipedemasummit.com/

https://www.facebook.com/erikaschlick

https://www.instagram.com/thetrailtohealth/

https://www.instagram.com/fullcirclemediaco/

https://www.instagram.com/thishealthylifepodcast/

https://www.facebook.com/lipedemasummit

Hosts Cindy and Kristy welcome Sarah Cullen, a doctorate-prepared family nurse practitioner with 21 years of nursing experience, who opened Akeso Health & Wellness and the Akeso Lipedema Clinic.

Sarah shares how her own lipedema story, also affecting her identical twin drove her to create an integrative, education-heavy model featuring 90-minute intakes, individualized plans, extensive assessments, and a three-inch binder covering staging, compression, vein health, mental health, nutrition, exercise, hormones, supplements, and surgical options.

She discusses limited provider knowledge, building referral networks for traveling patients, offering Virginia telehealth, and operating outside insurance to avoid time caps while providing superbills and insurance support for equipment.

Sarah also recounts her self-pay 360 liposuction surgery after losing 70 pounds, the benefits and imperfections of outcomes, and collaboration with surgeon Dr. Kyle Xu.00:00 Welcome to the Show00:55 Meet Sarah Cullen01:58 Why Start a Clinic03:35 Building Lipedema Care06:12 The Education Binder11:34 Her Lipedema Story14:25 Learning to Treat It16:30 Referrals and Travel Patients18:09 Insurance and Time Based Care22:31 What the Eval Includes27:02 Patient First Care28:10 Team Based Empowerment29:29 Finding Real Support32:07 Saving For Specialists34:12 Avoiding Predatory Products37:26 Surgery Journey Breakdown40:13 Recovery And Results42:27 Twin Comparison Insights45:49 Loose Skin Decisions46:49 Local Specialist Network48:27 Clinic Mission And Name50:03 Advice And Wrap Up

Follow us on Social media!!!

Kristy's Contact information:

IG⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/dellalunawellness/⁠

FB Group⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1F3pseJKUd/?mibextid=wwXIfr⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website Kristy Dellacroce, MS,OTR/L, MLD-C

⁠ Dellalunawellness.com

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lipedema Advocate 856-297-7437

Cindy contact information

⁠FB:⁠ ⁠https://www.facebook.com/withcindyhowell⁠⁠⁠

Private FB Group:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/7021999704562921⁠⁠⁠⁠

IG:⁠⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/lipedema_withcindyhowell/⁠

Cindy Howell RN, CLT, MPCH

Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠www.withcindyhowell.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Lipedema advocate: 860-550-1161

Top 5 Foods to Avoid for Managing Lipedema! Link:⁠ https://withcindyhowell.com/checklist/⁠

Free surgery course: ⁠⁠https://l.bttr.to/6cATB⁠Dr. Sarah Cullen, nurse practitionerhttps://www.akesohealthandwellness.com/https://www.instagram.com/akesohealthandwellness/