What to consider and anticipate for lipedema surgery

Avinav

May 17, 2023

Blogs & Articles

Lipedema is a progressive disease affecting the extremities basically the lower and upper limbs. Other parts of the body can be affected rarely. The onset of lipedema is usually around puberty where there is an unusual growth and deposition of fat in the buttocks, thighs, legs and arms despite the fact that the waist and upper body is slim and narrow.

Causes of Lipedema and its treatment

Lipedema fat can be associated with unexplained pain, easy bruising, development of spider veins, reticular veins and varicose veins. Progression of lipedema can lead to early fatigue and listlessness and may also lead to fear or a distaste to exercise due to discomfort. This could lead to binge eating, depression and accompanied obesity as a result adding to the confusion. As the disease progresses, development of varicose veins can add to leg pain, burning sensation and heaviness adding to the already existing misery. Weakness of the lymphatic system causes leakage of lymph into the surrounding fatty tissue which initially causes heaviness but over time leads to pitting edema and persistence and stasis of lymph progresses to fibrosis and frank lymphedema (much like elephant legs) when the treatment becomes extremely difficult.

Causes

Treatment

Female legs with varicose veins and leg spiders. The concept of human health and illness. White background. Vascular diseases, problems of varicose veins

Early identification of the disease and intervention in the form of getting rid of the excessive unwanted lipedema fat with lymphatic sparing water assisted liposuction which helps protect the lymphatics of the operated areas. Removal of the excessive lipedema fat also relieves the weight around the veins which could help return of elasticity of the veins and valves making them effective and competent. Excessive deposition of fat around the knees and inner thighs could lead to knock knee deformity leading to changes in alignment of center of gravity which results in erosion of joint cartilages and early arthritis. Early identification and surgery also helps in achieving a reasonable shape which is always desirable for any woman. Surgery undertaken in later stages may require more sessions and one may also need to accept come compromise on the result. Conservative measures like compression garments fit better once the excess lipedema fat is removed.