Lipedema is the medical term for abnormal swelling in humans caused by excessive fat and fluid accumulation in the hips, thighs, and legs. Also known as painful fat syndrome, this condition mostly affects the legs, but can sometimes occur in the arms. A chronic fatty tissue disease, the degree of lipedema varies from person to person. In some patients it is mild, while in others it can reach a level that even prevents walking. A genetic disease, lipedema is always seen in women. Usually appearing during adolescence, it has a high risk of occurring in more than one woman in a family.

What are the Symptoms of Lipedema?

Lipodema can be caused by hormonal disorders as well as some chronic diseases. The symptoms of lipedema can be listed as follows:

Symmetrical excessive fat accumulation in the legs and hips. Sometimes the swelling can extend down to the ankles, but the feet are not affected. Protrusions form on the outer sides of the legs and in the hip area due to excessive fat accumulation. Generally seen in women, this disease can also be accompanied by pain and bruising.

What are the Stages of Lipedema?

It is a disease that progresses day by day. Lipedema stages are examined in 4 parts:

Stage 1:
Increase in subcutaneous fat tissue
Expansion of the hypodermis
Flattening of the skin surface is seen along with fat lobules.
Stage 2:
Rough skin surface is present with the appearance of fat tissue.
Stage 3:
Large fat deposits are present in the legs and around the knees, leading to deformities.
Stage 4:
This is the most advanced stage of the disease. Lipolymphedema develops in the legs.

How is Lipedema Treated?

Lipodema has many syndromes that negatively affect the patient’s daily life. These can be listed as follows:

It causes aesthetic irregularities in body contours, leading to deformities.
It causes limited mobility, especially in advanced stages of the disease.
It leads to impaired lymphatic circulation and further increase in swelling. It causes varicose vein problems, pain, and joint problems. It leads to depression and withdrawal in the patient.

Lipodema is a chronic disease. The only solution for treating lipedema, that is, for controlling the disease, is the removal of fat. After the patient is evaluated and the level of lipedema is determined, the doctor chooses the appropriate treatment method and decides on the technique to be used in the surgery. First, detailed measurements of the areas to be treated with liposuction are taken, and the number of centimeters to be reduced in each area is calculated. In this way, the estimated measurements the patient will have after lipedema surgery are obtained, and a lipedema compression garment is selected according to these measurements. This garment must be ready before the surgery. Because the garment is put on the patient before they regain consciousness after the surgery is finished.

How is Lipedema Surgery Performed?

Although the exact cause of this disease, which is little known worldwide, has not been determined, there is evidence that it is genetic. There are many methods for its treatment. The doctor chooses the most ideal treatment according to the patient’s condition, the stage of the disease, and its location.

For lipedema in the lower thighs and around the knees, a type of superdry liposuction is ideal. It is highly advantageous because it involves no incisions, requires no stitches, and preserves lymphatic drainage. For the hips and upper thighs, Vaser 4D liposuction is primarily preferred, but laser liposuction is also frequently used. In the treatment of advanced lipedema patients, additional lifting procedures are performed to prevent sagging after these treatments.