Is Surgery the Best Treatment for Lipedema-related Venous Insufficiency?
Most experts agree that surgery is the best treatment for lipedema. However, is it the best option to treat lipedema-related venous insufficiency? Assessing vein health is essential if you have a lipedema diagnosis since vein issues are common in sufferers. Venous insufficiency results in inflammation inside the veins. In turn, this can worsen the symptoms of lipedema overall. It may also cause lymphedema and progressive fibrosis or skin hardening, which causes further problems. However, since varicose veins commonly occur in lipedema patients, this may raise some concerns for surgeons. These small veins may increase bleeding during surgery to reduce lipedema fat. With this in mind, is surgery a good choice for women who suffer from both lipedema and venous insufficiency?
What Does Surgery to Reduce Lipedema Involve?
The surgery to reduce lipedema is a liposuction procedure. Although liposuction is most associated with cosmetic treatments, it is also a surgical treatment for this condition. It addresses the cause of lipedema – the diseased fat. As a result, it improves mobility and reduces pain while also creating a more proportionate body appearance.
Liposuction for lipedema is very similar to any other liposuction procedure. The surgeon performs the surgery under a local anesthetic. They make incisions in the areas they are treating and pass cannulas into the incisions. They use them to break up the diseased fat and suction it out. They then sculpt the area to achieve a more proportionate shape.
Also read – Is Conservative Treatment A Better Solution Than Lipedema Surgery?
Vein Treatment or Lipedema Liposuction?
Women who have lipedema have two choices: They can treat their vein issues or treat their lipedema. When you are deciding which option to take, it’s essential to be aware of the facts.
Vein treatments don’t improve the symptoms of lipedema. However, liposuction improves venous insufficiency, at least on a temporary basis. The reason for this is because lymphatic system issues and vein issues are connected. Therefore, liposuction is the best solution for lipedema patients suffering from venous insufficiency. You can have vein treatments if you still need them after you undergo liposuction.
Are There Any Reasons to Opt for Vein Treatment Before Having Lipedema Surgery?
It’s usually the best course of action to have lipedema surgery before vein treatment. But in some cases, it is often wise to have vein treatment first before undergoing liposuction. If you have varicose veins, it’s best to get treatment for them before having liposuction, as they can cause complications. You can then have liposuction after treatment of the veins.
Who Can Perform Lipedema Surgery?
It’s very important to seek out a lipedema specialist if you are planning to undergo liposuction for your condition. A specialist can ensure you are a suitable candidate and can make sure you receive the best treatment. Dr. Su at ArtLipo is your top choice in Tampa, Florida. As an expert in the field of liposuction, he treats many women suffering from lipedema and produces impressive outcomes. You can see the results he achieves if you browse the images in our gallery.
To find out more about the best treatment for lipedema for you, get in touch with 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.