Liposuction is a cosmetic procedure that has been used to remove excess fat from the body since 1979. It has also become one of the most popular methods of fat reduction and body contouring in recent years. The procedure can be performed on almost any area of the body, including the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, waist, arms and neck. However, it is most commonly used to remove excess fat from the upper arms, abdomen and hips.
Edema is a condition in which fluid builds up inside your body’s tissues or organs. It is usually caused by inflammation or injury to your blood vessels or lymphatic system. Edema can occur anywhere in your body but it is most common in your feet and legs because they are furthest away from your heart. In some cases edema may only affect one part of your body while other times it may cause swelling throughout your entire body (known as generalized edema).
Right here on Cosmeticsurgerytips, you are privy to a litany of relevant information on liposuction for lymphedema in legs, lymphedema surgery before and after, lymphedema after liposuction, and so much more. Take out time to visit our catalog for more information on similar topics.
Liposuction For Edema
Lipedema is a disease characterised by the abnormal and excessive accumulation of fatty tissue, often in the legs and hips. Without treatment such as liposuction, symptoms will grow progressively worse over time. As a progressive condition, most patients suffering from lipedema will eventually suffer poor mobility, leg tenderness, and skin hypersensitivity as their condition progresses.
1 in 11 Australian women are believed to suffer from debilitating lipedema. Until recently, the treatments available have only had a temporary effect and could be very costly and time-consuming.
Tumescent liposuction permanently removes excess fat tissue, improving quality of life and body confidence by:
- Optimising mobility
- Alleviating pain, discomfort, and swelling.
- Bringing limbs into proportion, restoring symmetry to the legs
- Improvement in leg definition
- Preserving lymphatic health and circulation of the legs
- Avoiding long-term dependence on compression garments
Symptoms of Lipedema (Lipoedema)
- An abnormal and excessive accumulation of fat, generally in the lower legs and thighs
- The legs appear swollen and have a column-like appearance
- The affected areas hurt and/or are sensitive to touch, bruising easily
- Difficulty exercising, walking or participating in other physical aspects of daily life
What are Cankles?
Colloquially, cankles describe the appearance of ankles with excess adipose tissue (fatty tissue). The ankle may seem to merge with the calves rather than being clearly defined. It is often dismissed as obesity but cankles or lipedema of the lower leg is a condition of fat that cannot be exercised or dieted away, and obesity is only observed in approximately 50% of patients. Lipedema (or ‘lipoedema’) is a progressive disease: the earlier the diagnosis, the better the outcome.
What Causes Cankles & Lipedema (Lipoedema)?
While the root cause of lipedema (or lipoedema) is unknown, anecdotal evidence suggests that there is a genetic component that causes this condition. The majority of our patients suffering from lipedema report that their mothers also suffered from this ailment.
Medical research has demonstrated that lipedema presents in patients during periods of hormonal fluctuation including puberty, pregnancy, or menopause.
Who is affected by Lipedema?
Most patients suffering from lipedema (or lipoedema) are female and approximately 10-15% of the female population is affected.
Lipoedema & Varicose Veins
Varicose vein disease is often present in conjunction with cankles/lipedema and associated mild lymphedema. Varicose veins are abnormal veins that are unable to effectively transport blood (this is also known as venous insufficiency). As a result, blood begins to pool within the leg veins and puts pressure on the lymphatic system which drains fluid.
Lipoedema Treatment
We approach the treatment of cankles and lipedema first by treating any underlying vein disease, then using liposuction to permanently remove the existing fat.
1. Treating Vein Disease
All patients who suffer from lipedema or lymphoedema receive mandatory varicose vein mapping scans. This detailed duplex ultrasound examination of the blood vessels of the legs will be conducted so that any underlying venous insufficiency can be ruled out or promptly treated. Treatment for any vein abnormalities or varicose veins consists of laser, radiofrequency ablation, sclerotherapy, or medical glue before beginning any direct treatment of lipedema.
2. Liposuction for Lipoedema
Liposuction is then performed on the leg. This outpatient procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic, with minimal post-operative discomfort. Liposuction can help treat the symptoms of lipedema that cannot be treated by diet and exercise alone.
Liposuction for Lipoedema Summary
- Procedure time of 2-3 hours
- Back to work in 3-5 days, full recovery in 3-6 weeks
- Local anaesthetic ensures better results, faster recovery, and less pain than general anaesthetic.
- Results in 3-5 days and improve over 12 months.
- Minimal side effects: bruising, swelling, and tenderness.
Case Study: Severe lipedema in the lower leg treated with conservative liposuction
This patient presented with moderate to severe lower leg lipedema, with lymphatic congestion and early fibrotic change.
We treated with tumescent liposuction under local anaesthesia and the patient was completely comfortable throughout. No IV or IM sedation was necessary. 1300ml of supranatant fat was removed from each leg.
The after photo is from 3 days post-liposuction. Although there is some swelling setting in (which is common post lipo), the change in the shape of the leg is stark.
Liposuction for Lipoedema Treatment Areas
Thighs
Accumulated fat in the outer thighs, inner thighs, and front of the thighs (anterior thighs) are a common effect of lipoedema. Liposuction in the thigh area can bring the lower body into proportion with the upper body.
Ankles & Legs
Lipoedema affects the legs and ankles by becoming enlarged and column-shaped, with less definition around the knees, and braceletting at the ankles.
Back & Hips
Removing lipoedema fat from the hip region and from the area above the buttocks will help create a better back arch and transition from back to buttocks.
Arms
The arms are affected by lipoedema causing large bulges or lobes of fat on the upper arms.