What is the process of lipoedema surgery? Discover Sylvie's story

My name is Sylvie, I'm 31 and I've been diagnosed with lipoedema. On the 29th of April this year, I underwent surgery on my thighs and behind my calves at the GIA Clinic in Prostějov, Czech Republic. I'd like to take you through the stages of my first operation.

28 April 2025: the day before my operation

I went to the clinic to sign the documents relating to my operation scheduled for the following day, and to receive my first injection of anticoagulant to prevent any blood clots.

It was also the day I picked up the keys to my accommodation, where I would be staying for 10 days to recuperate before returning to France.

29 April 2025: the day of the operation

I was given an appointment at the clinic at 7am. I went there with my backpack containing my Crocs, pajamas, a tool to be able to pee standing up, my phone charger, and something to brush my teeth with if I had the strength (which I didn't in the end).

When I arrived, I was asked to put on my pajamas and my Crocs, then to put my things in a locker before going to my room. Once I was settled in, I took a shower with a disinfectant, then put my pajamas back on.

I was then fitted with a catheter.

Then Robert, the GIA Clinic assistant, came to mark the areas on my body that were to be operated on. An ultrasound scan was also carried out to assess precisely how much fat needed to be removed.

A nurse and the surgeon, Dr Jiřina Šilhánková, joined us. Christelle, Country Manager for LIPOELASTIC in France, was also with me from the start.

12pm: time for the operation

I waited in bed for a few hours before being taken to the operating room at noon. From the start, I was serene. They took the opportunity to infuse me.

In the surgery room, I undressed so that they could cover me with Betadine. They then helped me onto the operating table, talked to me a bit and then injected the anaesthetic.

I woke up about four hours later, with between 4.5 and 5 litres of fat removed.

I took a few minutes to tell my family that everything had gone well, and then I went back to sleep. During the night, I woke up several times—vomiting due to the anaesthetic and also needing to use the toilet.

That's when my pee-debout ( the tool to be able to pee standing up) was my saviour! I didn't feel unwell, but I remember hurrying back to bed when I went to the toilet because my head was starting to spin - that was the only time.

The day after the operation

When I woke up, they brought me breakfast, but I wasn't very hungry because of the anaesthetic. I ate what I could and drank lymphatic tea. I went to the toilet several times and slept a lot again.

The surgeon, Dr Jiřina Šilhánková, and Robert, the clinic assistant, came back to see me in my room and took new photos of my legs. It was the first time I'd seen them since the operation: they were already quite swollen around the knees.

I also had a one-hour red light session. The main purpose of this red light is to encourage overall healing of the skin at different depths. It’s also used for acne, scar healing, and to stimulate collagen production in the legs—all from the comfort of my bed.

My first massage: foot reflexology

The clinic organised my first massage the day after the operation, at 4pm. They chose a foot reflexology session to gently activate the lymph and prevent me from suffering too much so soon after the operation. The foot massage lasted about an hour, after which I was put back in my compression tights. It's a painful moment, but the compression is essential. I'm wearing the VBfLg Variant from LIPOELASTIC with a LIPO extend!

Meanwhile, my husband went to the chemist's with Robert to buy my painkillers, iron supplements, anticoagulant injections and lymphatic tea.

I left the clinic at 5pm and went back to our studio, just down the road. The clinic had already scheduled three more massages and several red lamp sessions for the next few days of my stay in Prostějov, Czech Republic.