PhysioPod® Interviews Dr Johanna Schreiber, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon for Lipoedema Awareness Month

Dr. Johanna Schreiber is a plastic surgeon who specialises in lipoedema in Berlin. In this interview, she discusses her motivation, patient interactions, the emotional impact of the condition, and her approach to surgical treatment. This interview highlights the challenges patients with lipoedema face in receiving timely diagnoses and the importance of patient-centered care in her practice.

 Dr. med. univ. Johanna Schreiber • Friedrichstraße 71 • 10117 Berlin, Germany • contact@doctorschreiber.com • doctorschreiber.com

PhysioPod® UK (Mary Fickling): Thank you so much for agreeing to share your insights, Johanna. It's incredibly valuable to hear about your experiences as a board-certified plastic surgeon who specialises in lipoedema surgery. To start, what initially inspired you to pursue a career in medicine, and specifically, what drives you in your daily practice?

Dr Johanna Schreiber: When someone decides — often at a young age, as a teenager or, like in my case, even at six years old — to study medicine and become a doctor, it’s usually with the desire to overcome challenges and turn them into successes: to heal the sick and make the world a better place. A fundamental part of being a plastic surgeon is the ability to restore — to make something whole again, to make someone's life better and whole again.

Mary: That's a powerful motivation. Please describe the initial interaction with a patient who comes to you seeking help for lipoedema. What state are they typically in?

Johanna: In my current daily work, it often begins like this: the first contact usually comes at a point when my patient has already suffered for a long time, has felt despair for years, and now reaches out to me to create a plan together. Despite the long period of pain, insecurity, and not being taken seriously, my lipoedema patients come to me with hope, determination, and the will to reclaim a life of self-determination. The feeling of having lost control over one’s own body, despite discipline in diet and exercise, often leads them to seek new solutions.

Mary:  What do you need to know about their situation beyond the medical facts when you meet them as their surgeon?

Johanna: When these patients meet me as their surgeon, it's the beginning of a long journey we take together. For me, every detail matters — not just the medical history, but also the personal development, current life circumstances, and family situation. Each woman's individual story — from puberty, through pregnancies, to the sometimes heartbreaking topics of miscarriages or the long struggle to conceive — all form part of a deeply personal understanding. Each patient is unique and deserves the time and empathy that their individual journey requires.

Mary: Those personal stories are very emotional to hear. How do you create an environment where patients feel comfortable sharing such deep and often painful experiences?

Johanna: These stories are real and emotional — often shared through tears, but also received with compassion. It's usually in these moments, when I ask the necessary questions, that emotional barriers can break down. Finally being seen, heard, and understood is a vital step before planning such a major surgical path. I especially appreciate when patients bring loved ones to the consultation — partners or family members — as it often relieves pressure from the whole support system, reinforcing that the journey is not one they have to walk alone.

Mary: You mentioned the importance of being "seen, heard, and understood." Why do you feel that is particularly crucial in modern medicine, especially for lipoedema patients?

Johanna: Being truly heard is unfortunately no longer a given in modern medicine. The approximately ten-year delay many lipoedema patients face before receiving a correct diagnosis is often a result of systemic pressures: general practitioners and even specialists are forced to see a high volume of patients in short time spans, leaving little room for attentive listening or empathy. Sadly, empathy is being lost in today’s medical environment.

My comprehensive approach to patient history includes far more than past illnesses, allergies, or medications. It’s about understanding the entire path that has led the patient to me — and then helping them shape a new vision for the future. How does the patient feel today? What are her hopes, her goals, her expectations? How much does she already know? And where can I meet her — to develop, together with my expertise, a plan that is both optimal and flexible?

Mary: It sounds like your goal is to restore more than just physical health. How do you collaborate with patients to help them regain control over their bodies through lipoedema surgery?

Johanna: Together, we work to restore the patient’s control over her own body. In my understanding of Lipoedema surgery, this means removing as much of the affected tissue as possible, giving the patient the opportunity — through her own efforts with movement and nutrition — to live a pain-free and autonomous life.

What are the realistic prospects of undergoing surgical treatment for Lipoedema? What goals can be achieved? What outcomes are realistic after undergoing three or four major procedures under general anesthesia? These are important questions that must be answered with both honesty and clarity. Educating patients about the procedures and outcomes, while tailoring expectations to the individual case, is a significant and meaningful part of my work. It’s also vital to empower patients with the understanding that they will eventually take back responsibility for their own body after surgery.

Mary: It's clear that managing expectations and empowering patients is key. What is the most rewarding part of this work for you?

Johanna: The women who come to me are determined, self-aware, and ready for change — and I’m honoured to support and guide them through that change. The reward is great for both sides. For me, it starts in the operating room. I can immediately see and feel the results during surgery, and that alone brings me a deep sense of personal fulfilment. After surgery, I often share intraoperative photos — just snapshots — but they already help create awareness and a sense of reconnection with the body. I also welcome family members into this moment when we discuss the immediate results back in the hospital room — and often, this creates a wave of positive emotion and shared relief.

Mary: That immediate post-operative relief must be incredibly powerful. What happens later in their journey that you find particularly rewarding?

Johanna: There are, of course, many other wonderful moments along the patient’s journey. A significant part of this journey is often shared via social media — when patients document their experiences honestly, openly, and with all the ups and downs. Undergoing surgery is never the “easy way out”. It’s a long, challenging path filled with obstacles, but these patients walk it bravely and with seemingly endless perseverance. In the end, it’s about reclaiming happiness, bodily autonomy, freedom from pain, and a natural silhouette.

Beyond the social media posts, another moment of deep joy for me is following up with patients one year after their final procedure. That's when they tell me that they’ve fully arrived in their new life, free of symptoms, and barely thinking about their past condition anymore. Their gratitude, and the fact that their lives have changed so significantly, affirms everything I aim to do. To be part of that transformation, to make such a difference — that is how I want to work. With dedication, compassion, and my heart in every single case.

Mary: That long-term impact sounds like a truly meaningful reward. How do you feel about the broader impact of your work and your hopes for the future of lipoedema treatment?

Johanna: This is my greatest triumph and my most meaningful reward: To go to sleep each night knowing I was part of such an incredible change in someone’s life. I’m thankful and happy to be in a position to do this work. I hope to continue helping many more patients — not only through surgery but also through ongoing advocacy and education. At the same time, I hope research continues to advance, so that one day we may truly cure lipoedema on a cellular level. Until then, I hope that all patients who undergo surgical therapy find themselves in the best hands — and I am glad to see the growing interest in surgical treatment and in the surgical education I am committed to supporting.

Mary: Johanna, this has been incredibly insightful and moving. Thank you so much for sharing your perspective and the passion you have for your work. 

Johanna: Thank you very much of thinking of me. I am very happy to contribute to this wonderful Lipoedema Awareness Month project!

Sending you sunny greetings from lovely Berlin.

Hope to see you soon in person again!

About Dr Johanna Schreiber

Dr. med. univ. Johanna Schreiber is a specialist in plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgery. She is currently practising as a self-employed plastic surgeon in Berlin.

Born in Graz, Austria, she studied at the Karl-Franzens-Universität in Graz and the Medizinische Universität in Wien, graduating in 2009 with a Doctor of Medicine degree. Her specialist training in plastic surgery took her to Germany, where she spent time in Berlin and Munich, consolidating and expanding her skills.

Dr. Schreiber specialises in the surgical treatment of lipoedema, which she notes is still often misdiagnosed. She has been a specialist in the surgical treatment of lipoedema for seven years. Her approach involves a comprehensive examination and a detailed discussion of the patient's complete medical history to develop personalised therapy plans that may include diagnostic and conservative measures.

She views her task as a plastic surgeon not only as successfully treating physical complaints but also perceiving the patient in their entirety, with the highest priority placed on restoring their quality of life. Dr Schreiber is also dedicated to informing society about lipoedema on all levels.