First State Lipedema

After a lifetime of pain and ten years of mobility issues, I learned about Lipedema at the end of 2022. In January 2023, I saw a Lymphedema Therapist at Christiana Care and Dr. Shapira, who both confirmed a lipedema diagnosis. Dr. Shapira also confirmed veinous insufficiency. I looked at my options for treatment and as I was stage 3, surgery was my best option to regain mobility. Dr. Shapira's staff did a great job helping me to understand my options, informed me on what to expect, and helped me to get my insurance covered for the surgery. Doc also encourages patients to meet each other and ask questions of one another to gain perspective which was nice. It took a few months to get the approvals for surgery. I started the vein treatments with another doctor recommended by Shapira along with conservative Lipedema treatments including Diet, MLD, Pumps, and Wraps. I have now had five successful surgeries with Dr. Shapira, and my mobility is significantly better, and the pain is nearly gone. I feel like I have my life back. I cannot thank Dr. Shapira, Ally, Keisha, Carolyn, Lynn, and Stephanie enough for all of their help and support through this process. They could not be kinder and more caring. Some people are put off by the fact that the surgeries are done in the office under local anesthesia. If a hospital setting and general anesthesia are important to you then this might not be your option. For me, I preferred to be able to know what was going on and to go home same day after the surgery to my own bed to recover. Although it is in office, Doc and his team are hypersensitive to creating a sterile environment during surgery. Most lipedema treatment options require extensive travel due to the limited surgeons in the US treating this at present. I feel blessed that I live locally and received high quality care from Dr. Shapira and team.

I went there recently because i couldn’t find a Doctor who would take my pain and Lipedema Diagnosis serious. Dr. Shapira did , he took the time to examine me thoroughly and found that my Veins have issues as well. He suggested Vein Doctors in my area and gave me a treatment plan. So far i‘m very pleased with him and the staff. I‘ll see him again in a month to see how we proceed. I recommend him.

I wouldn’t give one star, but that’s what it should be. I paid him close to $5000 for removal of my lipedema in my legs and during the surgery I started to throw up and my oxygen was close to 70%. They had to call the EMT. I lost 4 L of blood then was transferred to another hospital. It was so traumatizing. He never gave me a refund or anything and now I have just my right calf done all the other parts of my body that need surgery are still there. I highly highly recommend that you do not go to Dr. Shapira.

Dr. Shapira is an experienced and caring physician. He explained everything well throughout the whole process. The procedure was not painful at all and I am so pleased with the results. I wholeheartedly recommend First State Lipedema.

Dr Nadiv performed my smart Lipo procedure and I loveeeee my results, in and out the same day, he’s very knowledgeable and passionate. He gave me the curves I’ve always wanted 😊