Is Lipedema Drainage a Permanent Solution?
Lipedema drainage through Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) massage is one treatment for this condition. Often, doctors suggest this option as a conservative treatment for patients. Usually, they prescribe it alongside the wearing of compression garments. Patients often find some relief from their symptoms when they have MLD. However, they often wonder whether it is a permanent solution to their problems.
Lipedema has no cure at the present time. Therefore, specialists can only treat the unpleasant symptoms and side effects. Patients must choose the best treatment for their needs, and that can be extremely difficult. If they are looking for a long-term solution, MLD may not be the right choice. Here, we consider the options and alternatives for patients who suffer from lipedema.
What Is MLD?
Manual lymphatic drainage is a type of massage that doctors prescribe for patients with lipedema. It involves moving the lymph fluids around the body. As a result, it can help reduce the pain and swelling patients experience. MLD is a conservative treatment for lipedema. That means it involves no surgery. Some patients prefer this as they are afraid of having surgery.
Unfortunately, MLD isn’t a permanent solution. The sufferer must have these massages on a regular basis to maintain the benefits. They must also wear compression garments. These can be uncomfortable and hot to wear, especially in summer. Over time, lipedema only gets worse, because it is a progressive condition. Having manual lymphatic drainage doesn’t prevent the condition from getting worse. It only treats the symptoms, not the cause.
Surgery Is An Alternative
Lipedema surgery is a longer-lasting alternative to MLD, but it isn’t a permanent solution as there is no cure for lipedema. Nevertheless, many patients find that after having liposuction for lipedema, they experience long-lasting relief from their symptoms. Liposuction treats the cause of the condition, not the symptoms of lipedema. It permanently removes the problematic fat that is at the heart of the disease. As a result, the patient’s pain and swelling subside dramatically. Their mobility improves significantly. Their self-esteem and self-confidence also get a boost. It can take a long time for the fat to return to the treated areas. Therefore, surgery is a far better option than MLD for patients seeking long-term relief.
Where Can I Find Out More About Lipedema Treatments?
Doctors still don’t fully understand the disease of lipedema or how the disease progresses. Many doctors still struggle to diagnose it, and patients often believe the only problem is that they are obese. It can take many years to find out finally what their condition truly is. By this time, their condition is often more severe. MLD only has a limited effect on lipedema in its later stages. Liposuction, on the other hand, helps patients at all stages of the disease.
Nevertheless, it’s essential to seek out a specialist in the field of liposuction to get the best treatment. Dr. Su at ArtLipo in Tampa, Florida, is a specialist in this area. He can give you expert advice about your condition. Dr. Su can advise you as to whether lipedema drainage or liposuction is the best treatment for you. Get in touch today to learn more.
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.