Patient Stories

Crystal W.’s Journey: Healing from Trauma and Advocating for Early Diagnosis

Crystal (@lipladyfab) always knew something was different about her body.

From the age of nine, she was aware of the size of her legs—and of how others reacted to them. Teased by classmates, picked last in gym class, and subjected to endless body-shaming, she began to shrink inward, covering her legs, avoiding swimsuits, and internalizing the pain. “I stopped wearing shorts when I was nine years old,” she recalls. “Even though I loved swimming, I wouldn’t let myself be seen.”

Like so many women with Lipedema, Crystal’s journey began with misdiagnosis. Throughout adolescence and into adulthood, doctors chalked her symptoms up to obesity, advising her to diet or exercise more. “I thought it was my fault,” she says. “I thought if I just worked harder, I could fix it.” But no matter how strictly she ate or how hard she trained, her legs continued to grow—and so did her emotional burden.

Crystal’s symptoms intensified during her late twenties, a period already marked by personal struggles and trauma. She experienced chronic pain, swelling, shin splints, easy bruising, and a “lumpy mattress” texture in her legs—classic signs of Lipedema. It was only after her younger sister stumbled across information about the disease that Crystal brought it to her doctor. “Thankfully, he listened. He looked at my legs and said, ‘I think you're right.’”

That moment changed everything.

She began conservative treatment—manual lymphatic drainage, compression therapy, and physical therapy. Later, she pursued liposuction, which removed five liters of diseased fat from her legs and arms. “My daily pain dropped from a 7 to a 2,” she says. “It gave me my mobility back. It bought me an extra ten years of walking and running.”

Still, Crystal’s path hasn’t been linear. Like many with Lipedema, she’s faced depression, weight fluctuation, and periods of financial hardship. She’s also carried the weight of past trauma, which she candidly discusses to help others feel less alone. “Lipedema and trauma are deeply connected,” she says. “For me, emotional pain fed into physical pain, and it took years to start unraveling that.”

What keeps Crystal going is her deep commitment to advocacy and joy. Through her blog, Lip Lady Fab, and her social media presence, she shares her story with unflinching honesty and radiant self-love. “Confidence is a daily choice,” she says. “It’s not about waiting until you feel perfect—it’s about choosing joy over fear, even in a body that’s still healing.”

As a mother, Crystal is especially passionate about early diagnosis. “We need to catch this early,” she says. “The signs are there—in middle school gym class, in how our daughters talk about their bodies, in how quickly their legs bruise or swell. If we can diagnose earlier, maybe they won’t have to fight as hard as we did.”

She continues to prioritize her health, strength training, eating an anti-inflammatory diet, and preparing for a second round of liposuction. But above all, she’s focused on holding space for others. “This is about more than treatment. It’s about helping women feel beautiful, worthy, and seen—just as they are.”

The Lipedema Foundation is here to help.
If Crystal’s story resonates with you—or if you think you or a loved one may have Lipedema—visit www.lipedema.org to learn more. From early signs to treatment options, support resources to clinical research, we are here to support your journey. Early diagnosis matters. Your voice matters. Let’s lift the stigma—together.