Lipedema

Lipoedema causes abnormal collection of fat on the buttocks, hips, thighs, calves and arms. Legs can be affected from hips to ankles, around which a “cuff” is formed. From the ankles downwards, i.e. feet, is not affected. It is similar in the upper limbs, where a cuff is formed around the wrist. Veins become fragile and bruising occurs more easily. More and more lymph seeps into the tissue, causing unpleasant feelings of pressure and tension in the affected areas. As the disease progresses, the pain increases and persists even at rest. At higher stages of the disease, the patient’s mobility is limited because swelling of the legs and their deformity does not allow regular walking. A rocking gait appears. Tissue feels spongy, nodules (hard fat nodules) can be felt.

Lipedema is often misdiagnosed and confused with a) obesity or b) lymphedema.

ad a) In lipoedema, the body appears asymmetrical, the size of the legs or arms does not correspond proportionally to the other parts of the body.

ad b) In lipoedema, both limbs are affected equally; in contrast, there is a visible difference between the limbs in lymphoedema.

Affected areas

1)Subcutaneous fat accumulates to a greater extent on the buttocks and hips. These areas then form a form of “saddlebags”.

2) Lipoedema spreads to the knees, where fat folds appear on their inner side.

3) Lipoedema affects the entire lower limbs from the buttocks to the ankles, creating a visible fold, a “cuff”.

4) It can also affect calves alone.

5) Lipoedema also affects the arms. From the shoulder to the elbow, or up to the wrist, where a typical fat cuff usually develops.

4 phases of Lipedema

Course on the day of the operation

Conservative treatment

This usually includes wearing compression garments, lymphatic drainage and dietary changes. Conservative treatment is started because it has a positive effect on the patient’s health and can also provide temporary relief. However, none of this can reduce excessive fat in the affected areas and without fat removal most of the complaints will progress, so it is good to undergo liposuction on the advice of a doctor.

Water-jet assisted liposuction using the Body-jet device

At GIA clinic we work with the Body-jet device, which we have chosen for the treatment of lipoedema due to its advantages. The water jet separates the fatty tissue very gently, which also speeds up the patient’s overall recovery. Water-jet assisted liposuction is one of the safest liposuction techniques. The surgeon has enough time to achieve aesthetic results during the operation. Unlike other techniques, only a small amount of infiltration solution is introduced into the tissue, so there is no bump on the body during the operation and the doctor can always control the contours of the areas where he performs liposuction.

Studies show that the pain experienced by patients using the Body-jet device for water liposuction is significantly reduced. Thanks to this, not only the recovery time is reduced, but also the tendency to subsequent swelling. In the majority of patients, the initial pain subsides within a few days after liposuction. It is common that lymphatic drainage and wearing compression garments is not necessary in the long term after the operation. However, if the patient has already developed lipo-lymphedema, it is still necessary to wear compression garments. Nevertheless, even in these cases, water-jet liposuction leads to a great improvement in quality of life.