Lipedema is a chronic condition characterized by abnormal fat and fluid accumulation, primarily in the hips, thighs, and legs, which can cause pain and mobility issues. Treatment typically involves surgical fat removal, such as specialized liposuction, tailored to the severity and stage of the disease.
- Lipedema is a chronic condition characterized by abnormal fat and fluid accumulation, primarily in the hips, thighs, and legs, which can cause pain and mobility issues.
- Treatment typically involves surgical fat removal, such as specialized liposuction, tailored to the severity and stage of the disease.
- The condition progresses through four stages, ranging from mild subcutaneous fat increase to advanced lipolymphedema with significant deformities.
- While diet and exercise do not reduce lipedema fat, specialized liposuction techniques and post-operative compression garments are used to manage the condition.
- Individuals experiencing symptoms of lipedema should consult an Aesthetic, Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgery Specialist for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
What is lipedema?
Lipedema, in medical terminology, refers to abnormal swelling in humans caused by excessive fat and fluid accumulation in the hips, thighs, and legs. Also known as painful fat syndrome, this condition mostly affects the legs, but can sometimes occur in the arms. A chronic disease of fatty tissue, the severity of lipedema varies from person to person. In some patients it is mild, while in others it can reach a level that even prevents walking. A genetic disease, lipedema almost always occurs in women. Usually appearing during adolescence, the risk of it occurring in more than one woman in a family is also high.
What are the symptoms of lipedema?
Lipodema can be caused by hormonal disorders as well as some chronic diseases. Symptoms of lipedema can be listed as follows:
- Excess fat accumulates symmetrically in the legs and hips.
- Sometimes the swelling can extend down to the ankle, but the feet themselves do not show any signs of disease.
- Excess fat accumulation on the outer sides of the thighs and in the hip area causes bulges.
- This condition, which generally affects women, can also cause pain and bruising.
What are the stages of lipedema?
It is a disease that progresses day by day. Lipodema stages are examined in 4 parts.
- Phase 1:
- Increase in subcutaneous fat tissue
- Hypodermis expansion
- The skin surface appears flat along with the presence of fat lobules.
- Phase 2:
- The skin surface is rough and shows the appearance of fatty tissue.
- Stage 3:
- There are large fat deposits in the legs and around the knees that lead to deformities.
- Stage 4:
- This is the most advanced stage of the disease. In the legs. LipolymphedemaIt develops.
How is lipedema treated?
Lipodema has many syndromes that negatively affect the patient’s daily life. These can be listed as follows:
- It causes aesthetically unappealing irregularities in body contours, leading to deformities.
- It causes limited mobility, especially in the advanced stages of the disease.
- It leads to impaired lymphatic circulation and further increases swelling.
- It causes varicose veins, pain, and joint problems.
- This leads to the patient becoming depressed and withdrawn.
Lipodema is a chronic disease. The only solution for treating or controlling lipodema is the removal of the fat. After evaluating the patient and determining the severity of the lipodema, the doctor chooses the appropriate treatment method and decides on the surgical technique. First, detailed measurements of the areas to be treated with liposuction are taken, and the amount of reduction in centimeters for each area is calculated. This provides an estimated measurement of the patient’s appearance after the lipodema surgery, and a lipodema compression garment is selected accordingly. This garment must be ready before the surgery because it is fitted to the patient before they fully recover.
How is lipedema surgery performed?
Although the exact cause of this little-known disease worldwide is not fully determined, there is evidence suggesting a genetic component. Many treatment methods exist. The doctor chooses the most appropriate treatment based on the patient’s condition, the stage of the disease, and its location.
- A type of superdry liposuction developed for lipedema in the lower thighs and around the knees is ideal. It is highly advantageous because it has no incisions, requires no stitches, and preserves the lymphatic system.
- For the hips and upper thighs, Vaser 4D liposuction is primarily preferred, but laser liposuction is also frequently used.
- In the treatment of advanced lipedema patients, additional lifting procedures are performed because sagging will occur after these procedures.
Lipedema Treatment Frequently Asked Questions
The most frequently asked questions about aesthetic procedures before, during, and after.
How much do lipedema treatment and surgery cost?
Hospitals, aesthetic clinics, and centers approved by the Turkish Ministry of Health are prohibited from listing the prices of lipedema treatment and surgery on their websites, and the state imposes penalties on institutions that do not comply with this rule. Therefore, Professor Dr. Şükrü Yazar, a specialist in Aesthetic, Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgery, cannot provide information about lipedema treatment prices on his website. Furthermore, for the professor to provide a price for the treatment of this painful lipoma, he must first examine the patient, analyze their current health condition, and assess their complaints and expectations.
Shukru Yazar Clinical Communication
You can obtain information and request an appointment by calling +90 212 257 1515 or +90 541 334 3484 or by contacting patient advisors via live support to ask questions such as “How much do lipedema treatments cost, what are the fees in 2019, is surgery necessary, and how does the treatment process progress?” You can also schedule an appointment by stating that you would like to discuss lipedema treatment with a specialist doctor.
What is the recovery process like after lipedema surgery?
Lipedema surgery takes between 2 and 5 hours, depending on the procedures performed. No dressing is needed after the surgery.
Since general anesthesia is used, the patient needs to stay in the hospital overnight. The patient can go home the next day. A compression garment is fitted before the patient wakes up and is kept in place for five days. The garment can be removed on the fifth day, after which the patient can shower. It is recommended to wear the garment both day and night for the first month, and then only during the day for the following few months. This helps prevent sagging.
How is lipedema diagnosed?
In this condition, the absence of toes is a typical feature. Although diagnosis is generally made after a physical examination, ultrasound, MRI, or lymphoscintigraphy may also be necessary for a more detailed investigation.
Which medical specialty treats lipedema?
Those who suspect they are showing symptoms of lipedema can consult with Aesthetic, Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgery Specialists.
How do diet and exercise affect lipedema?
While diet and exercise lead to a reduction in fat tissue in areas without the disease, they have no benefit in areas where lipedema is present. Therefore, diet and exercise alone are not sufficient for the treatment of lipedema.
Is lipedema massage effective?
Lipedema massage and lymphatic drainage techniques are methods commonly used by physiotherapists to reduce swelling and pain. While these treatments may not be necessary in the early stages of the disease, they can provide significant relief in advanced stages.
