Have you ever heard of lipedema? It’s a condition that affects millions of women worldwide. It causes an abnormal buildup of fat cells in the legs, buttocks, and hips, which can lead to pain, discomfort, and even disability. While there are several treatment options available, liposuction has become a popular choice among patients. However, not all liposuction procedures are the same. In fact, there are two distinct types of liposuction that are often confused: lipedema liposuction and cosmetic liposuction.
Understanding the key differences between these two procedures is essential for anyone considering liposuction for lipedema or cosmetic purposes. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at lipedema liposuction and cosmetic liposuction and explain what sets them apart. So, whether you’re a patient or a healthcare provider, keep reading to discover the crucial distinctions between these two types of lipo.
Lipedema is a chronic condition that affects mainly women, although it can occur in men as well. It’s characterized by an abnormal accumulation of fat and fibrous tissue in the legs, hips, and buttocks, which can cause pain, swelling, and tenderness. Lipedema is often misdiagnosed as obesity, lymphedema, or cellulite and can be a source of emotional and physical distress for those affected. As it progresses, Lipedmea can cause impairment in lymphatic function in the affected areas. There’s no cure for lipedema, but several treatment options are available, including liposuction.
Lipedema liposuction is a specialized type designed to address the unique needs of lipedema patients. Unlike traditional cosmetic liposuction, which focuses on removing excess fat for aesthetic purposes, lipedema liposuction aims to reduce pain, improve mobility, and prevent further progression of the condition. Lipedema liposuction requires generous tumescent anesthesia and involves making small incisions in the affected areas. The surgeon then uses a specialized cannula to remove the excess fat cells while preserving the healthy tissue. The procedure can take several hours, depending on the extent of the lipedema.
One of the key differences between lipedema liposuction and cosmetic liposuction is that lipedema liposuction is the extra surgical technique used to protect the lymphatics, sometimes called “lymph sparing.” It also may require multiple sessions to achieve optimal results. Lipedema is a chronic condition that can’t be cured with a single procedure. Lipedema patients may also require ongoing maintenance sessions to prevent further progression. Often Lipedema Lymph Sparing liposuction is combined with Manual Extraction of the fibrous nodules caused by the lipedema disease.
Cosmetic liposuction, also known as traditional liposuction, is a popular cosmetic procedure that’s designed to remove excess fat cells from various areas of the body, including the abdomen, thighs, and arms. Unlike lipedema liposuction, which is performed for medical reasons, cosmetic liposuction is performed for aesthetic purposes only.
While lipedema liposuction and cosmetic liposuction are both forms of liposuction, there are several key differences between the two procedures. Some of the most significant differences include the following:
Like any surgical procedure, lipedema liposuction and cosmetic liposuction carry some risks and side effects. Some of the most common risks and side effects include:
Recovery time and results can vary depending on the extent of the procedure and the patient’s individual health status. In general, patients can expect to experience some discomfort and swelling for several weeks after the procedure.
Patients undergoing lipedema liposuction may require compression garments and lymphatic massage to reduce swelling and promote healing. They may also need to avoid strenuous exercise and other activities for several weeks after the procedure.
Patients undergoing cosmetic liposuction can typically resume normal activities within a few days of the procedure. They may need to wear compression garments for several weeks to reduce swelling and promote healing.
Results from both procedures can be long-lasting, although patients need to maintain a healthy lifestyle to prevent further weight gain and the progression of lipedema.
Lipedema liposuction is typically recommended for patients with advanced lipedema who have not responded to other treatments, such as compression therapy and diet modifications. Candidates for lipedema liposuction should be in good overall health and have realistic expectations of the procedure.
Cosmetic liposuction is typically recommended for patients who are at or near their ideal weight but have stubborn areas of fat that are resistant to diet and exercise. Candidates for cosmetic liposuction should be in good overall health and have realistic expectations of the procedure.
Choosing the right surgeon for lipedema liposuction or cosmetic liposuction is crucial for achieving the best possible results. Patients should look for a surgeon who has experience in performing the procedure, a proven track record of patient outcomes, and a good reputation in the community. Lipedema is a disease that requires specialized knowledge and comprehensive treatment, including dietary counseling and medical-grade compression to optimize lymphatic function. Pre and post-surgery treatment are focused on lowering tissue inflammation and controlling the disease comprehensively for the best results.
Many plastic surgeons approach lipedema reduction surgery as an isolated surgical procedure and need to treat lipedema comprehensively, which can result in suboptimal results or recurrence of symptoms. It is highly recommended to choose a surgeon who treats lipedema disease comprehensively. Patients should seek a surgeon who diagnoses the disease and starts conservative treatment first. A surgeon who treats comprehensively will ensure conservative treatment has been optimized, as proceeding with surgery when inflammation is elevated can actually worsen the disease course. Once the proper overall treatment plan has been implemented, the surgeon should take the time to explain the procedure and answer any questions the patient may have.
The cost of lipedema liposuction and cosmetic liposuction can vary depending on several factors, including the extent of the procedure, the surgeon’s experience, and the geographic location.
Lipedema liposuction can be more expensive than cosmetic liposuction due to the specialized technique and multiple sessions required. Patients should check with their insurance provider to see if the procedure is covered under their policy.
Lipedema liposuction and cosmetic liposuction are two distinct types of liposuction that are often confused. While both procedures involve the removal of excess fat cells, they have different purposes, approaches, and techniques. Understanding the key differences between lipedema liposuction and cosmetic liposuction is crucial for anyone considering liposuction for medical or cosmetic reasons. Patients should consult with a board-certified surgeon to determine which procedure is right for them and to achieve the best possible results.
Lipedema is a life-changing disease that can greatly impact everyday life. Seeking out treatment is a big ordeal, and with each treatment option available there are certain risks that must be reviewed. Liposuction is typically a safe and effective procedure when performed by trained hands and additional precautions are followed. Current technology allows properly trained vascular, cosmetic plastic surgeons to remove the subcutaneous fat tissue safely and greatly reduce the impact lipedema has on your mobility as long as specialized surgical techniques are followed which limit injury to lymphatics. However, as with any surgical procedure, there is always a certain amount of lipo risks involved. While most risks can be reduced, some are a one in a million chance. Recently, a woman in the United Kingdom experienced firsthand how difficult the most severe and rare risks can impact her life even further.
Jayney Nascimento, an English woman living in England, recently received liposuction treatment for lipedema. She had experienced the condition for 12 years and was self-conscious about how much bigger her legs were than the rest of her body. Like other individuals with lipedema, she sought out liposuction in the hope of being confident enough to wear a bathing suit again. The procedure went smoothly, and no complications were noted.
Jayney returned home immediately following her procedure to relax and recover from the procedure. After a few days, she began to experience coldness in her legs and excruciating pain. Since Jayney believed it was a side effect of the medication, she did not seek out her doctor until she was taken to the hospital by her daughter. Jayney ending up catching necrotizing fasciitis, a common bacterium that can cause serious but rare infections. This bug can spread in a few short hours and can be life-threatening if not caught early enough. While Jayney is fortunate enough to not have to amputate her legs, she now has significant scarring all across her legs.
Making sure you have a highly trained physician should always be a top priority. Jayney’s condition may have been caused due to an unclean environment for her procedure, a significant injury to an important lymphatic structure or having a poorly trained physician complete the procedure. An individual with lipedema will have increased strain on their lymphatics and are at increased risk for lymphatic injury. Lipedema liposuction requires significant care to not injure lymphatics that only a highly trained individual should be trusted with. Make sure to ask your physician what their experience with lipedema liposuction is and what kind of side effects their patients have experienced in the past. Liposuction always has associated risks, but they can be reduced when you rely on the most trusted individuals in the field.
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Dercum‘s disease, also known as Adiposis Dolorosa, is a rare condition that is characterized by multiple, painful fatty lipomas (benign, fatty tumors). It occurs in men and women but is more common in post-menopausal women. The lipomas are located primarily in the subcutaneous tissue. They can occur almost anywhere but often occur on the arms near elbow, legs near the knee and the trunk. Unlike ordinary lipomas, there is also pain that can be severe and sometimes debilitating. It is a chronic condition, meaning that it is a long-lasting condition that is often progressive.
Currently there are very few treatments for Dercum’s Disease. The only effective treatments for painful lipomas at present are surgical options such open excision and liposuction. The current treatments, although they can be effective, have drawbacks which limit their use more broadly. Open surgical excision of painful lipomas is unusually incomplete, and it can lead to scarring which has a potential to create more lipomas. Open surgical excision is time-consuming if multiple lipomas are removed and it leaves a visible scar. Liposuction can be expensive and is generally not covered by medical insurance. Although Liposuction can treat a larger area at one time, it also takes a good deal of time and does not completely remove all of the lipomas.
Raziel Therapeutics recently received the go ahead to investigate the possible treatment Dercum‘s disease with a new drug at this time designated RZL-012 as an orphan drug.
