LOUTERWATER – At just 24 years old, Lyné van der Sand from Louterwater in the Eastern Cape has already undergone more medical procedures than most people face in a lifetime, yet as she prepares for her wedding in June 2026, she continues to fight for the treatment she needs to live pain-free.
Born with a dislocated hip that went undetected until she started walking, Van der Sand’s medical journey began early.
She had three hip surgeries at just two years old and has had yearly follow-up medical checks since then.
Unfortunately, Van der Sand’s hip problems didn’t end there.
In 2012, her hip began dislocating again, leading to another surgery to turn her pelvis upright, a procedure that was initially successful.
However, by 2019, the problems returned.
Now facing the prospect of hip replacement surgery, Van der Sand finds herself in a difficult position.
She said that her doctor has advised waiting until she is 32 years old for the procedure, as patients can only have two hip replacements per hip in their lifetime.
“Because of my age, the road to hip surgery is complicated and long,”said Van der Sand.
Sadly, her challenges extend beyond her hip problems.
Van der Sand said that she was diagnosed with congenital severe asymmetry, a condition sometimes linked to a mild form of Poland syndrome, which affects the left side of her body.
“They discovered that my left side did not develop correctly,”said Van der Sand.
She said that when she was younger, her paediatrician indicated to her parents that it was a miracle that her brain worked perfectly since she had various disabilities on her left side.
“I only have 5% vision in my left eye, my little finger on my left hand cannot be stretched out, and I have no toenails on my left foot. Additionally, my left breast never developed properly,” said Van der Sand.
Referring to her breast size, she said that the size difference is extreme, with her right breast at least 1.5kg heavier than her left breast, which has affected her balance.
Van der Sand said that the physical impact is substantial.
“It causes daily pain in my back and neck, makes simple things like finding a bra impossible, and leaves me struggling with basic activities,” said Van der Sand.
“Psychologically, it’s been devastating. It’s hard to feel ‘normal’ when your body doesn’t match what you see in the mirror.”
Since she’s too young for hip replacement surgery, Van der Sand is focusing on addressing her breast asymmetry, hoping it will relieve pressure on her hips.
The recommended treatment is to reduce her right breast to match the left, but her medical aid won’t cover the procedure.
“This isn’t about vanity. It’s about being able to move, dress, and live without pain or shame,” said Van der Sand.
To raise the necessary funds for the surgery, which requires a general anaesthetic and a short hospital stay, she has launched a BackaBuddy campaign titled “Surgery for symmetry”.
“Every donation, no matter the size, will bring me closer to the day I can finally feel comfortable in my own skin,” said Van der Sand.
Despite her challenges, she remains optimistic about the future, particularly her upcoming wedding in June 2026.
