I am doing a trial session of hypoxi (https://www.hypoxi.com/en/) on Saturday as I am hoping it will help with the bad lipoedema in my calves and ankles which I feel kind of takes away from all the weight loss and how well I have done over the last almost two years as I still can't wear anything that does not cover it all up as I am so self conscious about and it depresses me a bit as I can't see that I will ever reach my dream of being able to wear calf high boots.

I haven't been given a price list yet, as Saturday is a trial, but I am sure it will be very costly so don't want to get sucked into a gimmick and I was wondering if anyone else has done sessions to help with toning (not necessarily lipoedema related) and if you have any feedback?

The one immediate good thing I can see from what I have read is that I won't have a problem following their nutrition guidelines which is not to have high fat or high carb foods a couple of hours before a session and or for a few hours after a session.

I'll be honest. I'm skeptical of this, but before we get into that, I think you may need to clarify something?

You stated that you have:

On 5/20/2025 at 9:53 AM, FifiLux said:

bad lipoedema in my calves and ankles

This would be highly unusual, since lipoedema is normally seen over the entirety of the legs, but is typically most pronounced in the buttocks & thigh area. Have you actually been diagnosed by a physician?

If it's just your calves, it would be a lot more likely for this to actually be muscle, not fat. It's extremely common for formerly obese people to have larger than normal calf muscles. This is so because basically you've spent your life doing heavy calf exercises daily just by walking around with all that extra weight. If this is the issue, your options may be somewhat limited. Eventually, with targeted diet and exercise, your calves may shrink, but it won't happen quickly.

Another fairly common cause would be another type of edema such as lymphedema. Edema is common in obese people, but lymphedema specifically often goes undiagnosed. Unfortunately for some people, losing weight may not fix the problem.

Bottom line, if you have not already done so, I would strongly encourage you to talk with a doctor about your concerns so you can get an accurate diagnosis.

Now for my thoughts on hypoxi and the reasons I'm concerned:

• The basic principle here goes against our current understanding of how fat loss works.
• The only study linked on their website doesn't actually show ANY increase in fat loss. All it shows is a reduction in size of the "treated" area. This is a HUGE red flag. If the subjects didn't lose additional weight, even in the main study they link on the site, then what caused the size reductions? The most plausible answer is that this was simply fluid loss and thus extremely temporary.
• The study linked does not appear to have ever been published in a peer reviewed journal of any kind. This is another huge red flag.
• The fact that no one else has made similar devices seems odd? If the science were sound and the results reasonable, then copycats should be everywhere. Quality medical devices simply don't exist in a vacuum.
• It's also a bit sketchy to me that these devices can only be found in their "studios" and nowhere else. They seem to want to tightly control things, which seems odd if this really works as well as they claim? Why not sell them to health clubs, rehab facilities, etc?

Best of luck whatever you decide.

3 hours ago, SpartanMaker said:

I'll be honest. I'm skeptical of this, but before we get into that, I think you may need to clarify something?

You stated that you have:

This would be highly unusual, since lipoedema is normally seen over the entirety of the legs, but is typically most pronounced in the buttocks & thigh area. Have you actually been diagnosed by a physician?

If it's just your calves, it would be a lot more likely for this to actually be muscle, not fat. It's extremely common for formerly obese people to have larger than normal calf muscles. This is so because basically you've spent your life doing heavy calf exercises daily just by walking around with all that extra weight. If this is the issue, your options may be somewhat limited. Eventually, with targeted diet and exercise, your calves may shrink, but it won't happen quickly.

Another fairly common cause would be another type of edema such as lymphedema. Edema is common in obese people, but lymphedema specifically often goes undiagnosed. Unfortunately for some people, losing weight may not fix the problem.

Bottom line, if you have not already done so, I would strongly encourage you to talk with a doctor about your concerns so you can get an accurate diagnosis.

Yes, I have type III lipoedema as diagnosed by two GP and a specialist consultant plus confirmed by my bariatric team and a cosmetic surgeon and in addition other female family members have the same condition. Before my sleeve I was at stage 3 but now I am, thankfully, closer to a stage 2 appearance wise.

I have been prescribed compression clothing in the past but it just helped ease the pain/heaviness, I did not see any physical improvement. I have prescriptions for drainage massage which does help a bit. It is on each leg but not as pronounced in the upper area now that I have lost weight and is not an issue for me the way the lower part is, from just above my knees to my feet. I just did not see the need to go into all of this personal information to ask the question I did above.

About the machines I am having my doubts as the more I read about it, people have to keep going to maintain the losses they may be achieving which then means it is not sustainable as far as I can tell and becomes a money pit.

I will be postponing my appointment this weekend, for other reasons, and unless I come across some startling new information I will probably not reschedule.

Edited May 22, 20251 yr by FifiLux

Probably a good idea to postpone your appointment. I'm skeptical as well based on the study on the web site. I would focus on your personal health and wellness and less on the physical look of your body. Your body will end up being what it is when you finally meet your goal, which you have met from your scale. Body sculpting or plastic surgery is probably the next thing you should look into but it is not necessary for a healthy and well body. Remember that it takes more than just physical beauty or thinness, it also takes a mental health well being too, so focus on your mind and realize how much you have lost, if you are healthy now and can move like never before. Obesity is a disease that never goes away with the loss of weight until you deal with the loss in your mind, and look in the mirror and see someone who is healthy. This is just my personal point of view, but then again I don't care what others think about my body, it is my mind and quick wit that people enjoy about me. I didn't lose me, I only lost weight and don't care that I have some sagging skin or dimples here and there. My beauty is on the inside, right? You might also have a body image issue and might need to talk to someone about it. Having Lymph edema is different than lipo edema, one has compression to assist with the circulation of the body, the other is fat fat cells. You are saying you have fat fat cells, but you have compression devices, which is confusing. Which do you have? Problems with your lymph in your lower legs, or fat cells that have swelling?

4 hours ago, WendyJane said:

You are saying you have fat fat cells, but you have compression devices, which is confusing. Which do you have? Problems with your lymph in your lower legs, or fat cells that have swelling?

Thanks.

I am happy with how I look, most days I guess like most people.

I never had any belief that my legs would miraculously get thin following the WLS so never contemplated shorts, skirts etc but did hope that I might manage to fit in to industry standard boots or possibly look ok in leggings, neither of which look possible at the moment anyway and with summer now approaching I can't wear most styles of sandals due to the fatty deposits on each foot so my trust Skechers it will be for the foreseeable

Compression garments are prescribed for lipoedema, at least in the EU. The compression was to help ease the swelling and pain and they did a bit but they are now too big for me so don't serve their purpose.