Lipedema Treatment

Lipedema can be a lifelong challenge for many patients. As a lipedema surgeon in Beverly Hills, Dr. Gabbay builds surgical plans for lipedema treatment for patients of all ages. His goal with each procedure is to improve patient comfort in their own body, helping them reclaim a sense of control and confidence.

What Is Lipedema?

Lipedema is a chronic condition characterized by an abnormal fat (adipose tissue) buildup in the lower body, typically from the hips to the ankles. Individuals with this condition are faced with the frustrating impossibility of losing lower-body weight. Notably, the condition is not the same as having overweight. In fact, many people with it may be able to lose upper body weight.

It is found almost exclusively in women, and it can occur at any age. The exact cause remains unknown, but hormonal shifts likely play a role. Though the fat deposits resist traditional weight-loss methods, patients with lipedema may have a few medical options available.

Symptoms of lipedema can include:

Unusual fat buildup in the lower body (often disproportionate to the upper body)
In rarer cases, unusual fat buildup in the upper arms
Uneven bumps of fat palpable beneath the skin
Discomfort or pain Heavy feeling in your legs and decreased leg mobility
Easy bruising
Feeling more fatigued than usual

If the path be beautiful, let us not ask where it leads.

- ANATOLE FRANCE

Complications from Lipedema

In early stages, this condition may manifest mildly. However, as the stages progress, it can cause increasing risk of complications such as:

Impaired mobility and difficulty walking
Self-consciousness about one’s appearance
Depressive mood (and depression)
Secondary lymphedema (lymphatic pathway blockage)
Vascular issues (vein disease)
Flat feet
Joint strain (pain, swelling)

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How Does a Specialist Diagnose Lipedema?

This condition is mostly based on physical examination and medical history. There is no blood test to diagnose it, but such tests may be ordered to rule out other conditions. Diagnosis will include staging, which means evaluating the current progression of the condition based on symptoms.

Lipedema stages include:

Stage 1: Normal-looking skin but palpable pebbling beneath it. Some mild pain and bruising may present.
Stage 2: Skin surface becomes uneven and demonstrates dimpling. Notable increase in adipose tissue.
Stage 3: Increased fat leads to a rectangular "balloon" shape to the legs. Notable increase in folds of skin and fat. Impairment of mobility.
Stage 4: Further impairments to movement. Concurrent lipedema and lymphedema.

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How Is Lipedema Treated?

While the condition has no outright cure, medical interventions can help patients manage the condition. Three of the greatest challenges of this condition include physical discomfort, the cosmetic aspect, and restricted mobility.

Liposuction, particularly tumescent liposuction, can manage all three of these elements. Lipedema occurs in four stages, ranging from early stages with minor symptoms to later ones with significant swelling and secondary lymphedema. Both tumescent liposuction and water-assisted liposuction can remove significant portions of the fat that has built up.

Is This Treatment Right for Me?

Most patients can have liposuction for lipedema at any stage of the disease. However, treating it at earlier stages can provide additional benefits for patients. At later stages, additional complications may occur, including skin infections and stretched skin, which can interfere with liposuction results.

Dr. Gabbay is one of the nation’s leading specialists in liposuction. He meets with each patient individually to assess their symptoms and build a full treatment plan. If lipedema is right for you, then we can lock in a treatment date.

What Is the Treatment Like?

The exact treatment outline will depend on which of the stages of lipedema the patient is at. Furthermore, techniques are adapted according to each individual factor.

Dr. Gabbay can provide tumescent liposuction for lipedema. This unique approach does not require general anesthesia, placing less strain on the body. He inserts a thin tube into treatment areas to break up the fatty tissue. It is then suctioned out evenly to create a natural look to the area.

What Is the Recovery Like?

Following your liposuction procedure, you can return home the same day. However, patients can expect about a 1- to 2-week downtime. The duration of downtime can depend on the extent of your liposuction procedure. This period involves resting at home and following your post- procedure instructions.

Immediately following surgery, patients will have bruising, swelling, and some pain. Medication, rest, and plenty of hydration can help these all resolve gradually. Some swelling will remain for several weeks to a couple of months. However, the majority of swelling fades within a couple of weeks.

Lipedema Liposuction Results

Dr. Gabbay dedicates the same level of attention and care to every procedure. His goal is always to maximize results while keeping the patient’s safety at the core of the lipo process. The degree of visual change and symptom relief can vary. It depends on your individual procedure plan and lipedema stage.

Initial results visible within a couple of weeks
Full results visible once all residual swelling fades

Auxiliary Support and Lifestyle

As a lipedema surgeon, Dr. Gabbay’s goal is to give patients a foundation for improved quality of life. Patients can augment their treatment with a few practical elements to further combat lipedema symptoms.

Lifestyle: While the fat buildup of lipedema is resistant to diet and exercise, you can still improve your symptoms this way. Anti-inflammatory diet elements, regular exercise, and lower-body strengthening can all help with discomfort and improve mobility.
Compression Garments: Some patients may find relief with appropriate compression therapy.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage: Certain massage techniques can help mobilize lymphatic vessel fluid in the lower body, reducing pain and improving swelling. This is best for patients who have developed secondary lymphedema.

Are Lipedema and Lymphedema Different?

These are two separate conditions, though they show some similar symptoms. Lipedema occurs when body fat tissue builds up. For lymphedema, swelling occurs due to a blocked lymphatic system. It requires a different treatment. However, lipedema can lead to lymphedema if left untreated.

Why Choose Dr. Gabbay As Your Lipedema Surgeon?

Body procedures are Dr. Gabbay’s specialty. His work in liposuction has earned him a national following, with patients visiting from across the US. He provides key treatments for patients who experience abnormal adipose buildup, including for paradoxical adipose hyperplasia. His passion is providing safe procedures that put patients in control of their own bodies.

Book a Consultation

Lipedema poses a chronic challenge; there is no denying that. But it is a challenge that can be overcome. Book your consultation with Beverly Hills lipedema surgeon Dr. Gabbay to begin building a path forward. He can diagnose lipedema and then work with you to construct a personalized treatment plan.

At Gabbay Plastic Surgery, our team is prepared to help you feel radiant and confident. Call us today at (310) 205-9500 to schedule your appointment or to learn more about how we can help!