People with Dercum's disease and lipedema have undergone bariatric surgery.  The most successful people work with a manual lymph drainage therapist and wear appropriate compression or undergo wrapping as needed.  Normal fat is lost, some lipomas and areas of lipedema get smaller but in Dercum's disease, many of the lipomas remain, especially those that are fibrotic, and pain and fatigue can also remain.  There is one published report of a woman with Dercum's disease that did not lose weight after bariatric surgery.  There is one report of a woman with lipedema who lost a lot of weight with bariatric surgery and her lipedema improved greatly.  The underlying cause of Dercum's disease or lipedema does not improve with bariatric surgery, however, but the co-morbidities of diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia improve making this procedure well worth it for some individuals.

Dr. Winqvist will be providing an informational meeting on Dercum's disease at the Karolinska Institute on May 11th from 12:30.  If you are interested in participating in a study on the immune system and you have Dercum's disease Type 3, you can also donate some blood at that time and do not need to make a second appointment.

Anyone with Dercum's disesae is welcome at this informational meeting (see my earlier blog).   This is a great opportunity to increase education and awareness about Dercum's disease and your quote may make it into the newspaper!

Please contact Staffan Eriksson for more information: staffaneriksson@spray.se 

Staffan is willing to pick people up at the central station in Stockholm, or you can taxi to the Institute.  Staffan will meet you outside the Institute and walk you to the lab.

The essentials of the RAD diet are as follows: Lower consumption of pasteurized dairy products, animal protein and fats, simple sugars and carbohydrates (low glycemic), salt and wheat or processed flour products, while enriching the diet with organic fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy proteins. Avoid foods that contain lots of chemicals such as artificial preservatives, flavors, fake sweeteners like aspartame, colors and stabilizers which includes most prepared, packaged and fast foods.  A lot of packaged foods have advanced glycation end products or AGEs that can cause damage in the body and increase the risk for diabetes and alzheimers.  Cooked foods also have AGEs so raw foodists also support lowering your AGE consumption.

1. Lower fat consumption as fats are absorbed directly into the lymphatics.
2. Eat low glycemic index foods to lower insulin levels - insulin makes fat grow.
3. Eat lots of fresh vegetables that have enzymes that are absorbed into the lymphatics and in essence "roto-rooter" out the stagnant protein.  You can add enzymes with advice from your healthcare provider.
4. Lower your salt intake if you are able so you retain less water/fluid.
5. Each time we eat we generate inflammation as the lymph system surrounds the gut.  Rest the gut by takig a day off and eating liquid type foods such as soups, stews (without meat or at least with pulled meats), smoothies, protein shakes, applesauce, juiced vegetables and fruits.

ENJOY! 
 

Ola Winqvist is an Immunologist at the Karolinska Institute and he is very interested in Dercum's disease (DD).  He would like to understand the immune dysfunction underlying DD.  He has already evaluated people with Type 2 DD and is looking for people with Type 3 DD.  People with Type 3 DD tend to be less obese, and have larger lipomas that are painful especially on the arms, thighs, low back and abdomen.  Women also have the lipomas in their breasts and men can have them on their chests.  Dr. Winqvist has scheduled a meeting that is open to anyone with DD (Types 1-3).

Where? Karolinska Institute, Gustav V building.
When: Friday May 11th from 13.00-16.00.

There will be a reporter there as well as at least one other medical doctor interested in DD.   Please try and attend. This event will not only advance our medical knowledge of DD but also promote awareness through a newspaper article.