What Happens If Lipedema Is Left Untreated?
Lipedema is a progressive condition which only worsens over time if left untreated. The abnormal fat that characterizes this condition continues to build up. Eventually, the affected limbs become larger and heavier. Sufferers develop nodules under their skin and lobules of fat. Over time, sufferers often become less mobile and suffer more pain in their limbs. They also have a greater tendency to develop secondary conditions like obesity and lymphedema.
What Are the First Signs of Lipedema?
In its early stages, lipedema is difficult to identify. Many of the symptoms mimic those of other conditions like obesity. At first, sufferers may notice that their legs take on a column-like shape with little definition. Their lower body may also be noticeably larger than their upper body, perhaps by several sizes. Some other symptoms may appear also, such as pain or tenderness in the limbs. Easy bruising of the affected areas is another common sign.
Also Read – Is There a Test for Lipedema, or Do Doctors Rely on Lipedema Symptoms to Give a Diagnosis?
How Does Lipedema Progress?
Lipedema progresses through three or four stages over time. Initially, at stage one, the symptoms are so mild that sufferers may not know they have the condition. Even doctors rarely spot the signs of lipedema at stage one.
Eventually, lipedema will progress to stage two. Fat begins to accumulate more noticeably on the lower body. Patients may experience more pain and tenderness in their limbs. They will also notice that there are nodules under their skin. These may feel like grains of rice or peas to the touch.
If untreated, lipedema gets worse, turning into stage three. At that point, it is far easier to identify the condition due to its disfiguring fat accumulation. Lobules of fat begin to form on the legs and arms. Patients find it harder to move due to the pain and heaviness in their limbs. The nodules under the skin become bigger, too, perhaps feeling as large as walnuts or even plums. Some patients progress to stage four, where they develop secondary lymphedema.
Not only do patients experience physical symptoms but they have mental and emotional problems too. As lipedema creates a disproportionate appearance, patients suffer from low self-esteem. Many receive an incorrect diagnosis of obesity, and when their efforts to lose weight fail, this causes distress, too.
Can Lipedema Be Treated?
Once patients receive a diagnosis of lipedema, they can receive treatment. Doctors often recommend patients try conservative treatments first. These treatments involve wearing compression garments and having regular manual lymphatic drainage massages. Patients should make lifestyle changes, such as eating healthily and gentle exercise.
These treatments help relieve lipedema symptoms temporarily, but the symptoms will always return. Therefore, ongoing treatments are necessary which can be time-consuming and inconvenient.
As conservative treatments only address the symptoms, not the cause, they are very limited. Surgery is a better option as it addresses the cause of the condition – the abnormal fat.
Does Surgery Cure Lipedema?
Unfortunately, surgery cannot cure lipedema, but it is the gold standard treatment available at the present time. It removes the diseased fat so patients experience less pain and better mobility. As it also restores a more proportionate appearance to the body, patients experience improved mental well-being, too. The outcome of lipedema surgery is long-lasting, so patients enjoy an improved quality of life for many years afterward.
How Early Can Lipedema Be Treated?
It’s possible to treat lipedema from the moment the very first symptoms appear. Unfortunately, though, diagnosing lipedema in its early stages is difficult. Doctors often misdiagnose patients with obesity which delays the process of receiving a diagnosis.
Both surgical and conservative treatments are available from the earliest stages of lipedema. Patients experience the best treatment the earlier they receive a diagnosis and treatment. Patients who have surgery experience the best treatment outcomes if they have liposuction at lipedema stage one or two.
Is It Ever Too Late to Treat Lipedema?
It is never too late to receive treatment for lipedema. Both surgical and conservative treatments are available at every stage of the disease. It’s important to note, though, that it’s harder to achieve a good result from a single surgery at later stages. Patients at stage three or four may require multiple surgeries to achieve the desired result.
Surgery improves patients’ quality of life at every stage of the disease. It reduces pain and improves mobility, even in patients at a late stage. Unfortunately, though, patients undergoing surgery in the later stages of lipedema may not experience a flawless result. Nevertheless, patients still enjoy a more proportionate appearance after surgery, which helps improve their self-esteem and self-confidence.
When choosing a surgeon to carry out lipedema liposuction, it’s imperative to choose a specialist in the field. While many surgeons offer liposuction to lipedema patients, not all achieve the same results. A specialist has the right knowledge and skills to produce the very best outcomes for lipedema sufferers. Dr. Su at ArtLipo is leading the way in this field. Get in touch with the ArtLipo team today to 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.