Do Doctors Know How To Treat Lipedema?
When someone gets their diagnosis of lipedema, they often ask first about how to treat it. Yet, often doctors fail to give patients the advice that they need. Unfortunately, lipedema is a condition that patients misunderstand. Even today, when more information about the condition is out there, many doctors still struggle to diagnose lipedema. Too many women struggle to get a diagnosis at all. Doctors often tell them that they are obese and need to lose weight. Of course, no amount of weight loss can cure lipedema. Therefore, sufferers often become depressed and suffer from poor self-esteem. There are treatments available that can help lipedema sufferers. Although doctors cannot cure lipedema yet, it’s possible to alleviate the unpleasant symptoms. One problem that sufferers face is finding a doctor who can help with lipedema treatment.
Why Is Lipedema Difficult To Treat?
Lipedema is difficult to diagnose and treat because it is a progressive condition. The early signs and symptoms can be mild. Initially, lipedema is mainly a cosmetic problem. Sufferers at stage one are usually unhappy with the appearance of their lower body. They feel that their body is disproportionate and struggle to lose weight on their bottom half. As the disease progresses, the problem becomes a medical one. Sufferers find that their mobility worsens. They experience more pain in their legs. Their body becomes even more disproportionate. Often, sufferers don’t get a diagnosis until they have reached this point. It is harder to treat lipedema as it progresses, because there is more diseased fat in the body over time. Fortunately, there are treatments available to help sufferers at all stages of the disease. They just need to access them. The first step anyone with lipedema should take is to find a specialist in lipedema to help with a treatment plan.
How Is Lipedema Treated?
Lipedema sufferers can benefit from either conservative or surgical treatments. Conservative treatments involve compression and massage therapies. Patients manage their condition by wearing compression garments or bandages. They also have special massages called manual lymphatic drainage to help move the lymph fluid around the body. Diet and exercise can help control lipedema. All of these treatments only address the symptoms and not the cause of lipedema. The only treatment to address the cause of the problem is surgery. Lipedema surgery involves having liposuction of the affected areas. Surgeons remove the diseased fat cells from the body permanently, which improves mobility and reduces pain. It also helps to restore the body to a more proportionate appearance.
Seeking Out A Specialist
Getting help from a lipedema specialist is the best course of action if you have your lipedema diagnosis. A lipedema specialist can advise you about the best treatment for you. They can also help you to decide on the best course of action for your needs. Surgery is the best option for many sufferers. Here at ArtLipo, Dr. Su is a specialist in the field of lipedema liposuction. He knows how to treat lipedema in patients at all stages of the disease. Contact our team today to find out more and arrange a consultation.
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.