Arranging my consultation

When I contacted Hanse-Klinik the first date I was offered was about four to six months away.  Rather naively I had expected it would be really quick, but I think it helped me take more time to understand my lipodema and to get fit. (and to feel confident so many people want to see them).  

Aqua exercise is strongly recommended as it supports your joints and applies pressure to all the lymphatic system to promote lymphatic flow.  So, by the time surgery rolled round I'd done a couple of terms of pilates and found several different aqua exercise classes to fit into my week.  I've actually become a bit of a water exercise fan.  I'd never have imagined how I'd love it so much that I'd get up to exercise in the mornings regularly!

When I contacted Hanse I was asked to send some details, including the recommendation from Dr Gordon that I consider liposuction with them, and then having filled out my history I had to add some photos.  Taking them felt uncomfortable as I'm not in the habit of posing in my pants!  

Once they'd reviewed my photos the Professor advised me that he thought I needed one surgery in three locations: outer and inner thighs, and knees.  He gave me an indicative price (which was exactly the price they formally quoted and charged me when I saw them) and offered me the choice of either booking a visit to include a consultation and then surgery on the following date, or, just to go out for a consultation and then book surgery for a later date.  I was really rather shocked to be offered the joint visit, and probably should have had someone else read the email properly!  If I could have gone out to see him within a couple of weeks of the email exchange, that would have been perfect as I really was keen to meet in person.  However, I'm not very patient so the idea of waiting months to see him, then the same amount of months again for the surgery really didn't appeal.  

So, I made the reservation for the joint appointment and then worried... and emailed!  The Professor and the whole clinic team were really responsive about answering emails.  They have very good written English so it wasn't difficult to communicate.  I did use some of my schoolgirl German mixed with a bit of google translate, to be friendly, but not in crucial things I was saying incase I was mangling my translations!