What treatment helps with lipedema?

Women who are suspected of having lipedema or have already been diagnosed with it usually want quick help in the form of therapies. The focus is on relieving pain, pressure sensations and bruises on the one hand, and the desire to restore an aesthetic body shape on the other.

In the following, we would like to give you an overview of the possibilities of lipedema treatment.

 

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What methods are available for the treatment of lipedema?

Many women affected by lipedema suffer greatly from the condition. Whether due to pain, sensitivity to pressure or the self-perceived aesthetic blemish – the desire for effective treatment is great.

Although at first glance there is a strong resemblance to overweight or obesity – it is not uncommon for doctors to make a false diagnosis in this case – sports and diets do not achieve any effect in the treatment of lipedema; even slim people can be affected by the disease.
It is also essential to note that lipedema is not treatable with medication. Draining drugs should be strictly avoided, as they worsen the course of the disease, including lymphatic congestion and hardening of the fat. Also, dehydration can have exactly the opposite effect, i.e. after discontinuation of the medication, water can be increasingly stored.

At LIPOCURA®, we specialize in the holistic treatment of lipedema in order to end the suffering of our patients, which often lasts for years. In doing so, we pursue the following possible goals:

  • Alleviation of the symptoms up to elimination
  • Stopping the progressive course of the disease
  • Avoidance of lymphedema formation
  • Almost complete removal of abnormal fat cells

Relief can be achieved in the initial stages by conservative therapy. Finally, only liposuction for lipedema causes permanent removal of the diseased fat tissue.

operative-methode-bei-lipoedem

Surgical method for the treatment of lipedema

Conservative treatments are important companions of lipedema therapy, usually bring only temporary relief of symptoms, but do not eliminate the swollen fat. In contrast, liposuction for lipedema (liposuction) can achieve lasting success. In this procedure, the many fat cells can be suctioned out gently and, above all, sustainably. Many of those affected experience a completely new and self-confident body feeling as a result of liposuction, wear short skirts again and enjoy the summer in the open-air swimming pool – and with significantly less or even no pain at all.

A proven method of lipedema surgery is the PAL method (power assisted liposuction) in combination with the tumescent technique. In this procedure, the special tumescent solution is introduced into the affected areas, causing the fatty tissue to swell. This facilitates subsequent removal using the vibrating cannula and at the same time protects adjacent structures, such as lymphatic channels and veins, from injury.

It is important to know that conservative therapy is always sought first to alleviate the symptoms of lipedema. At present, the costs are only covered by health insurance from stage III onwards under certain conditions. If there is severe overweight in addition to lipedema, weight loss is recommended first.

Conservative therapies for lipedema symptoms

There are several ways to alleviate the symptoms of lipedema and thus relieve affected women in their everyday lives. The following measures are mainly aimed at counteracting the water retention and stimulating the lymph flow again. This should reduce the swelling in the arms and legs and give patients back some of their freedom of movement.

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Ketogenic diet

The ketogenic diet is an effective tool for combating overweight and obesity. Since lipedema often occurs in conjunction with obesity, the ketogenic diet or form of diet is particularly suitable for preparing for possible liposuction.

The idea is quite simple. It provides for a low-carbohydrate, but high-fat diet.

By reducing the intake of carbohydrates, the fat metabolism is boosted. Likewise, fat depots are reduced for the production of ketone bodies, which provide the body with energy.

In close cooperation with Foodpunk, Dr Lossagk has developed a nutritional programme especially for lipedema patients. We would be happy to present this to you in a personal consultation and discuss which form of nutrition is suitable for you.

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manuelle-lymphdrainage-lipoedem-behandlung

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)

The most important goal of conservative treatment of lipedema is to reduce the water accumulated in the tissue as much as possible – in other words, to decongest the tissue. One helpful method is lymphatic drainage.

The principle of lymphatic drainage is based on stimulating the flow of lymph. The lymph vessels can increase their activity and accordingly remove the tissue fluid more quickly if they are stimulated to do so by lymph drainage.

During lymphatic drainage, the areas of the body affected by water retention are massaged with circular movements. Unlike a conventional massage, the treatment is performed with extremely gentle and not firm hand grips. The decongestive therapy temporarily causes a slight reduction in the circumference of the treated part of the body. In many cases, this also causes a decrease in pain.

Lymphatic drainage for lipedema should be performed once or twice a week (before liposuction). Sports activities such as swimming or aqua jogging and aqua gymnastics are suitable as an accompaniment to manual lymphatic drainage. Due to the water pressure, a gentle decongestion of the lymph fluid occurs.

However, for long-term pain relief and to return you to your original body shape, liposuction is the only helpful method.

For more information and an individual consultation on lymphatic drainage, the lipedema specialists at LIPOCURA® will be happy to help you at our treatment locations. Simply make an appointment for our consultation hours.

Compression garment

Accompanying lymphatic drainage, compression garments are also made for you, which in the case of lipedema correspond to flat-knit compression (in contrast to venous disease with round-knit compression).
The compression garment increases the pressure in the tissue and ensures that less fluid from the blood capillaries enters the tissue. It also improves the function of the lymphatic valves and the flow conditions of the lymphatic vessels. The pressure on the existing edema distributes it over a larger area and facilitates the drainage or removal of lymphatic fluid from the connective tissue. Finally, the distance between cells and blood vessels is reduced, which allows them to be better supplied with nutrients and cleared of waste products.

The compression fitting is made individually for you in a medical supply store according to your measurements and the costs are usually covered by the statutory health insurance.

  • Tights
  • Stockings
  • Compression pants
  • Arm stockings
  • Bolero jackets

It is particularly important that the compression underwear fits perfectly, otherwise it will cut into the skin and not be able to develop its full effect. Compression underwear should be worn at all times except at night and when swimming.

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When is surgical lipedema therapy an option?

Surgical treatment of lipedema is a last ray of hope for many sufferers when the constant struggle against pain and discomfort can no longer be endured and the emotional burden seems too overwhelming.

When conservative treatment methods, such as manual lymphatic drainage or compression therapies, reach their limits, liposuction for lipedema may be a suitable solution. Especially when:

the pain becomes unbearable.
there is a longing for normality.
the aesthetic dissatisfaction increases.
everyday life is too restricted.

lipocura-beratung-dr-leuthner

 

Is the disease lipedema curable?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for lipedema as yet, since the exact cause has not been conclusively clarified either. However, there is a good chance of alleviating or completely eliminating symptoms with holistic treatment and living with the disease.

Conservative therapy can help patients for a short time, but there is no lasting improvement in symptoms and the disease can continue to progress. There is no reduction of fat cells, but only decongestion due to improved lymph flow.

Liposuction, on the other hand, aims to remove diseased fat cells. Although this does not cure the disease or predisposition to lipedema, removed fat cells do not regenerate in the places where they were removed. Thus, this procedure offers very good results both psychologically and physically, as well as in the aesthetic sense.

lipoedem-erklaert-an-koerperarealen

Diagnosis and treatment of lipedema at LIPOCURA®.

At LIPOCURA®, the correct diagnosis of lipedema is the first and crucial step in offering sufferers the best possible way to alleviate their symptoms. The diagnosis is based on a thorough examination that takes into account not only the appearance of the affected areas, but also accompanying symptoms such as pain or a tendency to bruising. Of course, the personal interview in which patients describe their needs to us is also crucial. In addition, an ultrasound examination can be used to analyze the distribution of fat and tissue in more detail.

After a confirmed diagnosis, we offer a state-of-the-art treatment for lipedema: liposuction, in which pathological fatty tissue is gently suctioned out. This procedure can not only improve the aesthetic appearance, but also reduce pain and significantly improve the quality of life.

As part of our holistic treatment at LIPOCURA®, our patients also have the option of undergoing subsequent skin tightening procedures after liposuction has been performed, in order to remove excess tissue that cannot regress on its own.

We would be happy to give you a closer look at the liposuction procedure at LIPOCURA®. You can find all the information you need about the procedure, how it works, aftercare, risks and much more on our liposuction service pages and in a personal consultation with our specialists.

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Our locations

LIPOCURA®_Standort-Köln

LIPOCURA® Cologne

Address

Beethovenstraße 5-13

50674 Cologne

Contact

koeln@lipocura.de

+49 221 292662-0

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  • Wednesday: 7:30 AM – 18:00 PM
  • Thursday: 7:30 AM – 18:00 PM
  • Friday: 7:30 AM – 18:00 PM
  • Saturday: By arrangement