Lipedema is a condition associated with significant pain and discomfort. Liposuction is an effective way to help reduce this unpleasant symptom. Lipedema fat is the cause of the pain and tenderness in the affected areas. Liposuction removes this fat. Therefore, lipedema patients undergoing liposuction experience significant relief from pain after their procedure.

Why Do Lipedema Patients Experience Pain?

Pain is a common symptom of lipedema. It isn't exactly clear why lipedema causes pain for sufferers. This likely due to the fact that lipedema fat is different to regular fat. Lipedema fat is more nodular and fibrous. It is the lipedema fat itself causing the pain and tenderness that sufferers experience. Patients with lipedema experience pain because of allodynia. Allodynia is a kind of neuropathic pain. It is caused by actions that are normally not painful, such as touching the skin. When lipedema patients touch the affected areas, they often experience discomfort. Also, lipedema causes the lower limbs to accumulate excess fat. The legs then become very heavy and uncomfortable to move. That can result in pain as the joints are under increasing pressure. Also, the skin on the legs can rub together while walking, which causes chafing and pain.

Also Read - Is Lipedema Painful? A Specialist Answers Your Questions

How Can Lipedema Sufferers Reduce Their Pain?

It can be difficult to control pain if you have lipedema, especially as the pain is neuropathic. Neuropathic pain is not always responsive to regular painkillers. Therefore, patients must often look for alternative ways to manage and reduce their pain.

One option that some sufferers are eager to try is Guaifenesin medication. This is a medication that usually treats colds. Sufferers can buy it over the counter at the pharmacy. While it is not designed for treating lipedema sufferers, some patients find it helpful in treating lipedema pain. There aren't any studies to prove its safety for this purpose, though. Therefore, it may not be wise to use it for this purpose.

Doctors usually recommend that the lipedema sufferers use conservative treatments to manage their pain. Conservative treatments can help, to some degree, reduce pain. Conservative approaches include manual lymphatic drainage massages and wearing compression garments. However, pain relief only lasts for a short while. Patients must also continue with these treatments on an ongoing basis, which can be stressful and time-consuming. The best way to reduce lipedema pain is to have liposuction surgery.

Why Does Liposuction Reduce Pain for Lipedema Sufferers?

Liposuction surgery removes fat from areas of the body. Lipedema patients experience a build-up of abnormal fat, especially in their lower body. That abnormal fat is painful and uncomfortable. As liposuction removes fat, it is an effective treatment for lipedema sufferers. It removes the diseased fat that causes pain in lipedema sufferers. Therefore, liposuction reduces pain.

Furthermore, liposuction also reduces the weight of the limbs making them less painful to move. It helps to prevent the skin on the legs from rubbing and chafing, too, which is also painful.

Studies show that patients report 2.67 higher scores on pain questionnaires before liposuction than afterwards. That demonstrates clear evidence that liposuction reduces pain for lipedema sufferers.

Does Liposuction Offer Other Benefits for Lipedema Sufferers?

Liposuction doesn't only reduce pain, but it also improves mobility. After surgery, patients have lighter, smaller limbs. As a result, they find it easier and more comfortable to move around. As patients have better mobility and less pain, they can exercise more easily. That makes it easier to minimize the risks of other health issues associated with lipedema. Patients are less likely to develop secondary obesity, diabetes, lymphedema, and heart conditions. Therefore, they can stay well for longer and enjoy a better quality of life.

Another advantage of liposuction for lipedema sufferers is that it restores a more proportionate body shape. When sufferers have a more aesthetically pleasing physique, they usually feel more positive and confident. They experience less anxiety and depression and enjoy boosted self-esteem.

Liposuction also slows down the progression of the disease. Many patients experience as many as 12 or more years of relief from symptoms.  Those long-lasting benefits make it well worth considering having liposuction. If you're considering having liposuction, though, you must choose the right surgeon to achieve the best outcomes. Not all surgeons offering liposuction have the same level of skill and experience. The best surgeon to choose will be an expert in both liposuction and lipedema. They must have extensive experience in treating lipedema sufferers and achieving good outcomes. Dr. Su at ArtLipo is a top choice in Tampa, FL. He is an expert in the liposuction field and also has an in-depth knowledge of lipedema. He regularly treats sufferers at all stages of the condition. You can see the incredible results he achieves on the ArtLipo website photo gallery. To find out more and to arrange a consultation, get in touch with the ArtLipo team today.