If you suffer from lipedema, your doctor may have advised you to consider surgery. However, it may confuse you to learn that lipedema liposuction is the surgery available. Since many people believe lipo is solely for cosmetic purposes, it’s understandable that some lipedema sufferers are suspicious. How can a treatment that people usually use to make them feel more attractive help if you have a medical condition? Is there any difference between lipedema liposuction and lipo for cosmetic purposes? Here, we look at the facts so you can be better informed.
What Does Lipedema Liposuction Involve?
Before we look at the differences between different types of lipo, you need to know what this treatment involves. Liposuction is a relatively simple procedure carried out under a local anesthetic. You will be awake during the procedure, but this isn’t worrying since you won’t feel any pain.
During the surgery, you will have tiny incisions made in the area the surgeon will treat. He or she will insert a very thin cannula or tube into these incisions. A machine connected to the cannula sucks out the excess fat. This removes these fat cells permanently. The result is a slimmer, more toned, and attractive treated area.
Surgeons can carry out liposuction on many parts of the body. While most people think it’s only for the stomach or thighs, this isn’t the case. In fact, you can have lipo done on your arms and calves, too. Lipedema commonly affects these areas.
How Is Lipedema Lipo Different?
Most people who have liposuction are doing so for cosmetic reasons. They want a more attractive and toned appearance for their bodies. Therefore, cosmetic liposuction serves no medical purpose. When you have lipedema, you are suffering from a medical condition. Abnormal fat cells cause this condition, especially in the lower limbs and, sometimes, in the arms. This condition causes the appearance of being out of proportion. It also often causes pain and mobility issues. Lipedema sufferers often struggle to live a normal life, which adds to self-esteem issues.
If your doctor has recommended liposuction as a treatment for lipedema, you’ll have the same procedure as cosmetic surgery patients. The surgery follows the same process. The surgeon will perform the procedure under a local anesthetic. He or she will make tiny incisions in the areas you want to treat. Then, he or she will insert a cannula into those incisions and remove the excess fat. The difference between the procedures lies in the result.
What Is the Outcome of Lipedema Liposuction?
When you have lipedema liposuction, the focus is not only on appearance but on minimizing your discomfort and symptoms. Therefore, you may not achieve the same cosmetically perfect result as someone who is having cosmetic surgery. Nevertheless, the benefits are clear.
After your surgeon has removed the excess fat cells from your limbs, you will enjoy better mobility and movement. You will also experience less pain. This will give you a better quality of life. Also, since your body will have a more in-proportion appearance, you will enjoy better self-esteem. While the outcome may not be as perfect as for a cosmetic surgery patient, it’ll still be an improvement.
If you choose the right surgeon to carry out your procedure, you are more likely to see a better outcome. Here at Artlipo, Dr. Su is an expert in the field. Pioneering the way in the field of liposuction, he is a skilled lipedema surgeon. Having carried out many procedures on lipedema sufferers, he can achieve excellent outcomes for women like you. Contact us today to learn more about how our lipedema liposuction procedures can help you enjoy a better quality of life.
Dr. Thomas Su, is the owner and cosmetic surgeon of Artistic Lipo. He has led our full-time clinic specializing in awake-only liposuction since 2007. Dr. Su began his medical career in internal medicine, practicing that until 2005, when he began to provide a full spectrum of non-invasive cosmetic procedures.
