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Lipedema - Leg Liposuction

WHAT IS IT FOR?

It relieves pain, swelling and discomfort in the legs caused by lipedema, also improving its contour

HOW IT WORKS

Lipedema is a chronic disease that causes an abnormal and symmetrical accumulation of fat in the legs and thighs (it can also affect the arms), typically sparing the feet. Unlike common weight gain, this fat is painful, tender to the touch, prone to spontaneous bruising, and resistant to diet and exercise.

Liposuction is currently one of the main treatment options when symptoms significantly affect the patient's quality of life, despite conservative treatment (physiotherapy, compression, and dietary care). Unlike conventional aesthetic liposuction, the technique used in lipedema is adapted to preserve the lymphatic vessels: fine cannulas and gentle movements are used, using tumescent infiltration of a saline solution with anesthetic and adrenaline before aspiration, which reduces bleeding, lymphatic injury and discomfort.

The objective is not only aesthetic, but above all functional, seeking to reduce pain, swelling and improve the patient's circulation and mobility. Depending on the extent of the disease, treatment may require more than one surgical session.

It should be performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon and it is important to note that the disease has no cure: liposuction permanently removes existing diseased fat, but continued clinical follow-up (compression, lymphatic drainage and lifestyle care) is essential to control progression and prevent fat reaccumulation in other areas.

PROCEDURE DURATION

2h

OPTIONAL ASSOCIATED PROCEDURES

Fat graft filling ("lipofilling"), liposuction, breast surgery, abdominoplasty

TYPE OF ANESTHESIA

General anesthesia or epidural anesthesia with/without sedation

SCARS

Small scars disguised in areas of natural folds/wrinkles, resulting from the cannula entry holes

HOSPITAL STAY

Outpatient clinic or 1 day of hospitalization

RECOVERY

You can return to work in 2-3 days and resume physical activity at 4 weeks

RISKS AND MOST FREQUENT PROBLEMS

In the first few days, swelling, sensitivity to touch, drainage through the holes in the cannula. Skin flaccidity, hyper- or undercorrection, hematoma, irregularities may also appear. There are also risks of fluid retention and/or excessive loss of blood and fluids and pulmonary embolism in the postoperative period

PROCEDURE LONGEVITY

The removed fat does not return to the treated areas. However, as it is a chronic disease with no cure, it is essential to maintain clinical follow-up and lymphatic compression and drainage care, in order to control symptoms and prevent the formation of new fat in other areas

LEGS