(Lipedema) Lessons from a Lipedema Pioneer: The Gretchen Schackel Interview

Gretchen Schackel considers herself a pioneer, particularly when it comes to lipedema surgery. Since age 13, she wondered what was "wrong" with her legs. Thinking it was lymphedema, she eventually discovered manual lymph drainage and compression stockings - but the lipedema fat remained. She took a chance after Googling lipedema and signed up to attend a conference with Dr. Karen Herbst. This led to a life-changing experience "feeling free with her body" and no longer hiding because she met people just like her. And it led to the next step - a trip to Germany to remove lipedema fat that severely affected her ability to walk.  "This was not a cosmetic surgery, but it enabled me to walk normally." Gretchen's journey to self-acceptance, her caution about scams in the lipedema community, and her candor in sharing how lipedema "affected every choice I made" will be both educational and encouraging to those who watch this interview. This interview was recorded in January 2021. You can watch the video recording of Gretchen's interview on the Lipedema Channel on YouTube, or on Instagram at @lympha_press. The Lipedema Channel interviews are brought to you by Lympha Press, global leaders in pneumatic compression therapy for nearly 40 years. For more information, visit lymphapress.com.