Amina Sta
A month ago, I traveled to New York for a procedure that, honestly, I never imagined I would have. Back home, lipedema is still not widely recognized, and until recently, I knew very little about it myself. Since I was going to be in New York, I decided to schedule a consultation with Dr. Adam Schaffner out of curiosity, simply to understand whether the symptoms I had been experiencing for years could be related to this condition. That consultation changed everything. From the moment we met, I felt comfortable. Dr. Schaffner took the time to listen, explain, and answer every question without rushing. His calm approach and genuine interest in his patients gave me confidence, and I left the appointment knowing that I wanted him to perform my surgery. I underwent lipedema reduction surgery on my knees and upper thighs under local anesthesia. Having recently undergone another procedure, this option was particularly important to me. The surgery itself went smoothly, but what impressed me most was the level of care before and after the operation. Dr. Schaffner and his team were consistently attentive, professional, and reassuring. During my stay in New York, I returned regularly for follow-up visits, and every time I felt supported and heard. Although recovery requires patience, I am already seeing changes after only four weeks. For a long time, I lived with a feeling of heaviness and discomfort in my legs without truly understanding why. Today, I finally feel that I am addressing the root cause rather than simply living with the symptoms. A special mention must go to Elizabeth at Real Swell, whom Dr. Schaffner recommended for post-operative lymphatic drainage. The drainage sessions became an essential part of my recovery. Elizabeth combines exceptional expertise with extraordinary kindness. After every session, my legs felt lighter, my mobility improved, and I genuinely felt better both physically and emotionally. I am now back home continuing my recovery with a local therapist. The healing process is still ongoing, and there are moments when it can be uncomfortable, but that is completely normal. Wearing compression garments, attending drainage sessions, following medical instructions, and allowing the body time to heal are all part of the journey. While I know the final outcome will continue to evolve over the coming months, I can already say that choosing Dr. Schaffner was one of the best decisions I have made for my health. If you are considering lipedema surgery, I can confidently say that Dr. Schaffner combines surgical expertise with genuine compassion. He has built an outstanding team, and together they create an environment where patients feel cared for every step of the way. I look forward to returning to New York later this year for my follow-up and to seeing the continued progress of my results.

