Lipedema Surgery – The Key To A Better Quality Of Life
For those who suffer from lipedema, deciding whether or not to have lipedema surgery can be difficult. Currently, there is no cure for this condition, so is it worth having surgery if it won’t eliminate the problem? Some sufferers aren’t even aware that surgery is a possibility for them. Therefore, having a better understanding of what is involved is crucial so you can make the right choice for you.
Which Non-Surgical Treatments Are Available for Lipedema?
Doctors usually recommend a conservative approach to treating lipedema. They suggest patients wear compression garments and have manual lymphatic drainage massages while living a healthy lifestyle. These treatments address only the symptoms of lipedema, not the cause, which is the diseased fat itself. Therefore, while patients may gain some relief from the treatments, the disease continues to progress and worsen. Any relief is also only temporary, so patients need ongoing treatments, which can be time-consuming and stressful. Therefore, surgery is a better choice for patients.
Read More – Is There an Alternative to Surgical Lipedema Treatment?
What Surgery Treats Lipedema?
The most effective way to treat lipedema at the present time is surgery. Surgery for lipedema involves undergoing liposuction of the affected areas. It works in exactly the same way as liposuction for cosmetic purposes, although the goal is different. The surgeon treats the patient under local anesthetic, making small incisions in the affected areas. They pass a cannula through, use it to break up the diseased fat, and then suction it away. The procedure permanently removes the diseased fat, so afterward, patients experience reduced pain and improved mobility.
The surgery also restores their physique to a more proportionate shape, improving the patient’s self-esteem too. Surgery produces long-lasting results, and while it isn’t a cure, it gives patients years of relief. That makes it the most effective way to address lipedema right now.
Can Surgery Help All Stages Of Lipedema?
Lipedema is a progressive condition that only grows worse over time. There are three or four stages of lipedema that all patients eventually go through if left untreated.
At stage one, patients show only mild symptoms. Their lower body starts to look larger than their upper body and the fat won’t respond to diet or exercise. As the symptoms are hard to identify, many sufferers go undiagnosed at this stage.
At stage two, the fat accumulation becomes more obvious, and nodules start developing under the skin. When patients reach stage three, they start developing lobules, and the disease becomes quite disfiguring. Mobility issues begin to arise, and pain worsens. At stage four, secondary lymphedema develops.
Surgery can treat patients at all four stages as it addresses the fat itself. However, patients should know that surgeons can achieve the best results at earlier stages. As the disease progresses, patients may require multiple surgeries. Nevertheless, afterward, all patients experience an improved quality of life, with better mobility, less pain, and improved self-esteem.
Will I Look Slim After Liposuction?
While liposuction for lipedema is the same surgery as that performed on cosmetic patients, the surgery’s goal is different. Liposuction for cosmetic surgery patients has the aim of creating a flawless aesthetic. Meanwhile, liposuction for lipedema patients has the aim of reducing pain and improving movement. Nevertheless, all patients look slimmer following liposuction as the surgery removes fat. While the final outcome for lipedema sufferers may not be perfect, their appearance will be far better. Their limbs will be smaller and they will achieve a more proportionate physique overall. That helps patients enjoy improved self-esteem and self-confidence.
Will Surgery Stop Lipedema From Progressing?
Unfortunately, surgery cannot stop lipedema from progressing as it is, by nature, a progressive condition. Surgery is not a cure, so it cannot completely stop this progression. However, surgery can slow the progression down considerably. Many patients experience years of relief from severe symptoms thank to surgery. In fact, after ten years, many patients remain happy with their surgical outcomes. They still experience improved mobility and reduced pain as well as a more proportionate physique. Essentially, surgery allows them to enjoy a better quality of life in the long term.
How Do I Decide If Surgery Is Right For Me?
Are you trying to decide whether surgery is the right option for you? Then the best thing to do is speak to a specialist. A specialist can give you the best advice to meet your needs. Choosing the right surgeon, though, is crucial. Not all surgeons are able to treat lipedema sufferers. Therefore, finding one with the right expertise is crucial. Dr. Su at ArtLipo in Tampa is an excellent choice. As a liposuction specialist, Dr. Su regularly treats lipedema patients and produces impressive outcomes. You can see some of the results he achieves on the ArtLipo website image gallery. To find out more about lipedema surgery and to arrange a consultation with Dr. Su, call the ArtLipo team today.
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.