Which doctor can help me with lipedema?

General practitioners are usually the first point of contact for symptoms that cannot be clearly ascribed. Many women with lipedema also go to a general practitioner. There is generally nothing wrong with that. But unfortunately, many doctors are not familiar enough with the phenomenon of lipedema to properly diagnose it. Often the patients’ insecurity plays a big role and the question arises whether and which doctor can help with the diagnosis and treatment.

At LIPOCURA®, we offer you an initial consultation or a second opinion. Please feel free to make an appointment for a personal consultation.

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What symptoms do I go to the doctor for?

Many people find it difficult to go to the doctor. Especially women affected by lipedema, who do not feel taken seriously by their surroundings or by the first medical diagnosis, often shy away from another visit to the doctor. However, ignoring the disease does not bring relief. On the contrary, the symptoms can increase over time and the pain can get worse. Lymphoedema can also develop. Therefore, we strongly advise you to consult a doctor if you have a reasonable suspicion that you may be suffering from lipedema.

Symptoms that may indicate lipedema include:

  • Uneven fat distribution
  • Pain
  • Sensitivity to pressure and tightness
  • Rice grain-like lumps under the skin
  • Blue spots
  • Cold / heavy feeling in the extremities

The challenge of lipedema diagnosis

Since the initial symptoms and characteristics of lipedema are rather vague, affected patients are often sent home by doctors with the advice to exercise and lose weight. However, since lipedema is not caused by obesity, such measures provide no relief to the affected patients. As a result, patients are understandably frustrated and insecure. Depression, self-hatred and social isolation are known consequences. Before lipedema is finally diagnosed and therapy is initiated, the disease has often already reached an advanced stage, which makes treatment all the more complex.

Many patients who come to us have been on a long journey, feeling misunderstood by doctors, friends and family and left to contend with their problem alone. We want to restore your confidence in doctors and give you a new attitude towards life. Because we understand the difficulties that affected people have to deal with every day.

Which doctor treats lipedema?

The treatment of lipedema requires expert care by a doctor who is familiar with this particular condition. As a rule, phlebologists, lymphologists and specialised plastic and aesthetic surgeons are the appropriate contacts when lipedema is suspected.

Since lipedema can also affect the lymphatic system and be associated with lymphoedema (fluid accumulation in the tissues), phlebologists (vein specialists) and lymphologists have the necessary expertise in this area. They can make a comprehensive diagnosis and design individualised treatment plans to relieve the symptoms and slow down the progression of the disease.
Specialists in plastic and aesthetic surgery are also able to make a well-founded diagnosis if they have experience with the disease lipedema and are specialised in its treatment by means of liposuction.

How do I find a lipedema expert?

Personal recommendations from friends, other patients or women in the lipedema community can provide valuable guidance in finding the right lipedema expert. It is worth visiting the websites of potential doctors and checking their background, experience, qualifications and specialisation in the treatment of lipedema. In addition, patient reviews and testimonials online can provide insight into the quality of care and patient satisfaction.

At LIPOCURA® you will find lipedema specialists with a special focus on liposuction for lipedema. Our highly qualified specialists have many years of experience in the diagnosis and treatment of lipedema and have helped numerous patients improve their quality of life.

We offer a holistic consultation that is tailored to the individual needs of each patient. Our experts are proficient in the removal of abnormal fatty tissue – liposuction – using gentle and modern techniques to achieve the best possible results. Our goal is to help our patients achieve the greatest possible freedom from symptoms and feel at home in their bodies again. It is important to us that you feel in good hands with us and receive individual care at the highest medical level.

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Second opinion: Diagnosis of lipedema

As mentioned earlier, lipedema is still unknown territory for some doctors and is therefore not always recognised as such. Sometimes, however, patients are sure that they have lipedema despite seemingly negative findings. In this case, a second opinion from another doctor makes sense.

But even if lipedema has been diagnosed, some women do not feel comfortable with their doctor or are unsure whether they want to go ahead with the proposed treatment. It is important that you build up trust with your doctor and agree with the proposed treatment methods. In case of doubt, the same applies here: You always have the right to get a second opinion.

As experts in lipedema, the LIPOCURA® team is at your side with extensive expertise and competence to discuss all your wishes and questions. If you have already been to a doctor who has diagnosed lipedema, you are welcome to ask us for a second opinion at any time. If you are unsure, you should definitely inform yourself as extensively as possible about the disease as well as the treatment methods.

Talk to us and trust our substantiated expertise as lipedema specialists.

We will gladly provide you with comprehensive advice.

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Diagnosis and treatment with LIPOCURA®

If you are unsure whether you suffer from lipedema, come and see us! At LIPOCURA®, we have years of experience in dealing with this sensitive subject and can respond to our patients in a compassionate and understanding way. We recognise your condition, take you and your complaints seriously and we can help you to regain the aesthetic body image you originally intended. At our clinic you will not simply be ‘processed’. We want you to have confidence in us and our treatment.

We can diagnose lipedema using a variety of methods, including:

  • Pinch test
  • Palpation
  • Ultrasound examination
  • Stemmer’s sign

Depending on the symptoms, it is important to determine whether lymphoedema is present in addition to lipedema. In this case, protein-rich fluid leaks out of the lymph vessels into the surrounding tissue and causes even more swelling. Therefore, in suspected cases, the veins should always be examined and varicose veins should be removed before the liposuction. We evaluate each case individually and set the requisite treatment goals in consultation with the patient.

Would you like a personal consultation with our experienced doctors? Then simply make an appointment for consultation during office hours.

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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

Opening hours

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