Lipedema surgery
Better quality of life – healthy, slim and free from discomfort
Lipoedema is not a question of being overweight or lacking discipline – it is a painful, chronic fat distribution disorder that can severely restrict your enjoyment of life and mobility. Continuously applied conservative measures such as compression or lymphatic drainage usually only provide short-term relief.
Lipoedema surgery (liposuction) can help permanently: It specifically removes the abnormally altered fat cells. For noticeable relief, slimmer contours and more freedom of movement in everyday life – and therefore room for physical freedom and a new body image.
At our Frankfurt practice, we treat your concerns with respect, understanding and medical expertise. We support you with many years of experience and state-of-the-art techniques.
- Permanent removal of pathologically altered fat cells
- Significant pain relief: less pain, swelling and improved mobility
- State-of-the-art technologies: VASER®, MicroAire® and Renuvion® for particularly smooth contours
- Empathetic support from an experienced specialist for lipoedema patients
- Sustainable results that noticeably improve your quality of life
Important information about lipoedema surgery in Frankfurt
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Type of treatment: Surgical – targeted liposuction for lipedema
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Technical term: Lipoedema surgery / liposuction for lipoedema
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Price: from € 4,000* (depending on area and scope)
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Anesthesia: Twilight sleep or general anesthesia
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Duration: approx. 1.5-4 hours (depending on the number of zones)
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Pain: mostly light to moderate, well controllable
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Recovery: socially acceptable after a few days up to 1 week
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Durability: Permanent – removed fat cells no longer regenerate
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Scars: Small and inconspicuous
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Sport: possible again after approx. 3-4 weeks
Patient experiences
Definition of
What is lipedema surgery?
Lipoedema surgery is a specialized form of liposuction that specifically removes the abnormally altered fat cells. In contrast to conventional fat deposits, lipoedema does not respond to diets or exercise. Permanent relief can only be achieved through surgical removal.
Aims of the treatment:
- Reduction of painful fat deposits
- Improvement of mobility and reduction of swelling
- More harmonious body contours and a noticeably lighter body sensation
Many patients report a new attitude to life, increased energy and self-confidence after the operation. This operation is always recommended if other treatment methods, such as compression therapy, physical therapy, diet or exercise, are not sufficiently effective or not practicable and patients are looking for a treatment with lasting success. Lipoedema surgery is also a sensible measure if there is pain or swelling in the affected area, which leads to restricted mobility and impairs the cosmetic appearance.
Treatment methods
Lipedema surgery options in Frankfurt
Tumescent liposuction:
During tumescent liposuction, a special fluid – known as tumescent solution – is injected into the tissue. It contains saline solution, a local anesthetic and other additives. This mixture ensures that the fat cells separate from each other and can be suctioned out more easily. The “swelling” causes the fat cells to fill up and can then be gently removed using a vacuum. The exact composition and quantity of the tumescent solution depends on factors such as the patient’s weight, height and age, as well as the desired result. The treatment can therefore be individually tailored to each patient.
VASER® liposuction:
VASER® technology uses ultrasound energy to gently detach the fat cells from the surrounding tissue. This method is particularly gentle on the tissue and enables very precise work. VASER® can help to achieve smoother contours and protect blood vessels, nerves and lymphatic vessels in the best possible way, particularly in sensitive areas of the body or with advanced lipoedema.
MicroAire® liposuction:
This is a vibration-assisted liposuction procedure. The fine, rapid movements of the cannula loosen and remove the fatty tissue particularly evenly. This technique is ideal for creating harmonious body contours and effectively treating larger areas.
Renuvion®:
In some cases, excess skin remains after fat removal. Renuvion® can also be used to tighten the skin. A combination of radiofrequency energy and helium plasma is used to tighten the tissue from the inside and improve skin elasticity. In this way, a particularly smooth, aesthetic result can be achieved – without the need for additional skin tightening surgery.
How does lipedema surgery in Frankfurt work?
Risks
What are the risks of lipedema surgery?
With us, you are in experienced hands. You need not fear any serious side effects. However, there is always a certain residual risk with operations. For example, swelling and bruising after the procedure are nothing to worry about. These symptoms will subside on their own after a while.
However, the formation of a thrombosis is one of the rare risks of lipoedema surgery. Make sure you get some exercise and avoid strict bed rest after the procedure.
Costs & financing
How much does lipedema surgery cost?
The costs start at around €4,000, depending on the extent and the regions to be treated.
Since 2025, lipoedema surgery for all stages has been covered by health insurance under certain conditions. However, the path to this is often very long: patients must first prove that they have undergone months or years of conservative therapies such as dieting, lymphatic drainage or compression. Only then does the health insurance company check whether the costs can be covered.
Advantage of a self-payer treatment:
- More time, individual advice and modern techniques that are not always used in hospitals
- Immediate treatment without months or years of waiting
- Free choice of doctor – you choose experienced specialists directly
*The actual services are billed according to the scale of fees for doctors (GOÄ).
Our specialists
Your specialists for lipoedema surgery in Frankfurt
FAQ
Answers to frequently asked patient questions about lipoedema surgery
Will my health insurance pay for lipedema surgery?
Will my health insurance pay for lipedema surgery?
Partially, but only after exhausting all conservative therapy options over a period of at least 6 months and below a BMI of 35. However, detailed evidence is required, approval can take a long time and unnecessarily delay the start of therapy.
Why do many patients opt for self-pay treatment?
Why do many patients opt for self-pay treatment?
Because they want immediate help, have a free choice of doctor and can use state-of-the-art procedures – without bureaucratic hurdles or long waiting times.
Is the result permanent?
Is the result permanent?
Removed fat cells do not grow back – the results are permanent.
How much fat can be liposuctioned for lipedema?
How much fat can be liposuctioned for lipedema?
The amount of fat that can be suctioned out during lipoedema surgery varies depending on the patient and the severity of the lipoedema. On average, 1 to 5 liters of fat can be removed.
How many operations are necessary for lipedema?
How many operations are necessary for lipedema?
The number of operations required for lipoedema depends on the initial situation. Some patients only require one operation, while in other cases several procedures are necessary to achieve the desired result.
How long do I have to wear compression garments after lipedema surgery?
How long do I have to wear compression garments after lipedema surgery?
The wearing time of the compression garment depends on the initial situation and type of surgery. It is generally recommended to wear them for at least 6-8 weeks after the operation.
How long are you unable to work after liposuction for lipoedema?
How long are you unable to work after liposuction for lipoedema?
The duration of incapacity to work varies from patient to patient. In most cases, our patients can return to work after a few days to a week, depending on their profession.
Expert guide
Current magazine articles on the topic of lipoedema
Why our practice?
Expertise
Expertise
Specialists in plastic and aesthetic surgery with membership of leading specialist associations
Expertise
Specialists in plastic and aesthetic surgery with membership of leading specialist associations
Experience
Experience
Over 15 years of experience in plastic and aesthetic surgery, specializing in the latest methods such as VASER® and Renuvion®
Experience
Over 15 years of experience in plastic and aesthetic surgery, specializing in the latest methods such as VASER® and Renuvion®
Quality
Quality
Gentle fast recovery methods with natural results, outpatient procedures
Quality
Gentle fast recovery methods with natural results, outpatient procedures
Trust
Trust
Multilingual team of experts, treatment exclusively by specialists, personal support, excellent ratings
Trust
Multilingual team of experts, treatment exclusively by specialists, personal support, excellent ratings
come as you are, leave as you wish.