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Liposuction for lipedema: when is surgery advisable?

liposuction for lipoedema is symbolized by sad woman with fat deposits on her arms

Lipoedema is a chronic fat distribution disorder that predominantly affects women. It is accompanied by swelling and often pain and causes a great deal of suffering for those affected, which goes far beyond the physical sensation. Conservative treatment measures usually only provide temporary relief of symptoms. A surgical procedure to remove the fat cells is permanently effective. In the following, we would like to inform you about liposuction for lipoedema.

Contents

What is lipedema?

Lipoedema is often not recognized as a disease, especially in the early stages. As a result, many women are misdiagnosed as being overweight or obese. However, this is a serious disease. Lipoedema is associated with a disproportionate amount of fatty tissue, particularly on the legs. Fat deposits on the arms and buttocks are also possible. Lipoedema can also lead to pressure pain, bruising, water retention and sensitivity to touch. Depending on the skin structure and severity, lipoedema is divided into 3 stages. If the arms are also affected, this is referred to as stage 4.

What is liposuction and how can it help with lipoedema?

During liposuction, we remove the abnormally altered fatty tissue as part of a liposuction procedure. Lipoedema surgery is the only effective long-term treatment and is always recommended when conservative treatment methods such as manual lymphatic drainage, compression therapy or exercise and diet do not provide the desired relief. Liposuction is also useful if swelling and pain lead to restricted movement or if inflammation occurs due to rubbing of the skin areas. The procedure can also be recommended if patients no longer feel comfortable for aesthetic reasons. As part of this operation, we remove the stored fat, which can improve general well-being and physical mobility.

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“It’s not about becoming someone else.
It’s about discovering the best version of yourself.”

Dr. med. Nauras Abuagela, Specialist in Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery

Which areas of the body can be treated with liposuction?

In principle, we can perform liposuction on all areas in which excessive fat deposits form as a result of lipoedema. Liposuction for lipoedema is possible in these areas of the body:

  • Poor
  • Legs
  • Buttocks

We will discuss your individual treatment options in detail during a personal consultation.

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Procedure and aftercare

Depending on the method used and the individual situation, liposuction is performed under local or general anesthesia. The treatment takes between one and several hours. After marking the area, small incisions are made in the skin and a cannula is inserted through them. Various procedures can be used:

Tumescent liposuction:
We inject a special tumescent solution consisting of saline solution and anesthetic into the tissue, which loosens the tissue to be removed. The cells are loosened from their bonds so that we can manually suction out the fat using a vacuum.

VASER® liposuction:
The fat cells can also be loosened using ultrasound without damaging the connective tissue. The fatty tissue is then removed manually or using vibration-assisted liposuction (Microaire). This method is considered a very gentle alternative to classic tumescent liposuction.

You should give your body a few days of rest after the procedure. Depending on how you feel and your profession, you should expect to be off work for up to a week. For optimal healing, it is important that you wear compression garments for a few weeks.

What results can I expect?

It will be several weeks to months before you can see the final result. Once fat cells have been removed by liposuction, they cannot form again. However, make sure you lead a healthy lifestyle to maintain the result as far as possible. Conservative treatments are also still recommended in many cases. We will discuss this with you personally.

Conclusion: Liposuction for lipoedema with our expert

Do you suffer from lipoedema and are you looking for an effective treatment that not only alleviates your physical symptoms but also restores your sense of well-being? We are experts in the field of liposuction for lipoedema and will be happy to accompany you on the way to a new attitude to life. Together we will create your personal treatment plan. Arrange your appointment now, we look forward to hearing from you.

FAQ

What distinguishes lipedema from normal fat deposits?

Lipoedema is a pathological fat distribution disorder. This leads to a pathological change in the fatty tissue, which can also be accompanied by pain.

How many operations are necessary for lipoedema?

How many operations are necessary depends on the individual situation. In many cases, our patients require several operations, while others only need one procedure.

Does health insurance pay for lipedema surgery?

As a rule, the costs are only covered by health insurance once the disease has reached a certain stage and if there is a medical indication.

How long does recovery take after lipedema surgery?

The recovery time varies. Most patients can return to their daily routine after around 2 weeks. However, it can take several months until full recovery.

Is liposuction a permanent solution for lipedema?

Liposuction removes fat cells that do not return, so the result is permanent. However, a healthy lifestyle is crucial in order to maintain the result.


dr. med. nauras abuagela

Written by:

Dr. med. Nauras Abuagela

Specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery

Specialist in gentle anti-ageing treatments and innovative laser medicine. Dr. Abuagela combines medical expertise with a keen sense of aesthetic harmony and has been successfully treating patients with state-of-the-art skin rejuvenation procedures for years.

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