Lipedema Treatment

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Newport Beach, Upland and Ontario, CA

Lipedema is a genetic condition that results in uncomfortable and excessive fat deposits, often in the lower limbs. While lipedema can be somewhat treated on one’s own with exercise, dieting, and the use of compression stockings, these methods can prove to be ineffective for some patients. (1) For patients who seek a longer-lasting solution to painful, swollen lipedema, liposuction can be a more effective treatment option. Liposuction can efficiently remove some of the fat deposits that are causing discomfort for the patient.

At Panache Plastic Surgery, Dr. Azra Ashraf is the only female surgeon providing lipedema treatment in Southern California. Dr. Ashraf performs lipedema treatments with liposuction in order to give patients an improved quality of life, increased mobility, and motivation to maintain a healthy lifestyle. You can choose to have a personal consultation at either of our two convenient locations in Ontario and Newport Beach. You can call either location or fill out our contact form to set up an appointment where you can learn more about lipedema treatment.

About Lipedema

Lipedema is a chronic condition causing abnormal fat distribution, typically affecting the lower limbs, leading to pain, swelling, and tenderness. Because it is often a result of genetic inheritance, the condition can be difficult to prevent and address. (1) Lipedema can manifest in symmetrical swelling, which is when both sides of the body enlarge. These affected areas can feel painful and sensitive and are prone to bruising. Lipedema officially impacts about 1 in 72000 people. (1) However, because the condition is commonly confused with others, or goes undiagnosed, this statistic may be an underestimation.

Lipedema is more common in women, but can also affect men. If patients do not address their lipedema early on, the condition can result in additional complications. (1) It can lead to walking difficulties and joint issues, as well as varicose veins and flat feet. These issues can affect not only a patient’s physical health but their mental health as well. Addressing lipedema with liposuction can improve or prevent the issues that this condition can cause.

Liposuction

Liposuction is one of the most popular cosmetic surgical procedures. While it is commonly used for body contouring, liposuction can also help address the issues that lipedema causes. It is the primary surgical treatment for lipedema after non-surgical treatments like exercise, dieting, and compression socks or stockings.

With liposuction, Dr. Ashraf can selectively extract fat tissue while avoiding other nearby tissues and structures. (2) Surgeons can carry out liposuction with many different methods; at Panache Plastic Surgery, we use tumescent liposuction. During tumescent liposuction, we will inject the appropriate amount of tumescent fluid into the treatment area. This fluid helps swell the fat and prepare it for extraction. (3) Using specialized cannulas, or tubes, Dr. Ashraf will then remove the fat deposits that are contributing to the bothersome lipedema.

Is Liposuction for Lipedema Different from Regular Cosmetic Liposuction?

Yes, liposuction for lipedema is performed with specific techniques and considerations distinct to the condition. As one of only a handful of female surgeons performing this procedure in California, Dr. Ashraf has expertise in treating lipedema patients to achieve optimal results while considering the unique anatomy associated with the disorder.

Benefits

After treating lipedema with liposuction, patients can enjoy many long-term benefits. Oftentimes, patients’ quality of life can significantly improve as they experience less pain and discomfort in their daily lives. (1) Liposuction can also reduce any muscle cramping that the patient was experiencing from lipedema, as well as itchy skin, swelling, and the tendency to bruise. If a patient experiences struggles relating to walking or mobility, liposuction can reduce the volume of the problem areas and make it easier to move through everyday activities. (1)

Candidates

Some professionals will recommend less invasive treatments for lipedema treatment before settling on liposuction. However, if you have already exhausted these options, then liposuction can be a more helpful and sustainable avenue of treatment. If your healthcare professional has given you a lipedema diagnosis and you have not seen or felt improvement in your lipedema condition from at-home treatments, Dr. Ashraf may recommend liposuction treatment for you.

It will help your candidacy if you are otherwise in generally good health and your doctor has given you surgical clearance for this specific treatment. In addition to other qualifications, Dr. Ashraf encourages all of her patients to have realistic expectations relating to what she can accomplish with surgical lipedema treatment.

Personal Consultation

Before you start planning your procedure, you will need to attend a personal consultation at one of our offices. During this appointment at Panache Plastic Surgery, Dr. Ashraf will meet with you to examine the extent of your lipedema. After conducting a physical evaluation and considering your medical history, Dr. Ashraf will be able to determine whether or not liposuction is the best avenue for your treatment. She will describe a potential treatment plan, and you will be welcome to ask any questions or share any of your concerns along the way. At the end of your personal consultation, you will feel informed and knowledgeable about lipedema treatment with liposuction and how it could apply to your own situation.

You can receive your personal consultation at either of our Panache Plastic Surgery locations. Fill out our contact form or give us a call to request an appointment today:

Preparation

After your personal consultation, Dr. Ashraf will make sure you are aware of any ways you will need to prepare for your lipedema treatment on your own. Some of these steps will most likely include:

  • Receiving lab testing that will give us important insights into your health
  • Continuing to exercise and practice a healthy diet
  • Stopping smoking a few weeks before your procedure
  • Showering with antibacterial soap before your procedure and not applying any creams
  • Arranging for somebody to drive you home from the office
  • Preparing to take some time off of work

Procedure

Lipedema treatment with liposuction can follow varying procedures depending on where the treatment is needed. Dr. Ashraf will tailor this procedure to each individual patient’s needs. First, she will inject the tumescent fluid into the targeted area. After waiting around 10-15 minutes, the fat tissue will be sufficiently firm and swollen. (1) At this point, she can begin using the specialized suction tubes called cannulas to remove choice amounts of fat. The incisions for this procedure will be small and discreet. The entire liposuction procedure for lipedema can last for around 2–4 hours, but this length of time can vary from patient to patient depending on the number of areas and the amount of fat removed.

Recovery

Every patient’s recovery period will look a little different. Swelling and bruising are common side effects from liposuction but will most likely resolve within a few weeks. During your recovery, you should refrain from straining the treated area or engaging in any strenuous activities. After around 2 days after your surgery, the swelling will already begin to lessen and Dr. Ashraf will encourage you to go on gentle walks. If your job does not require physical tasks, you may feel ready to return to work after only a few days. After 6 weeks, you can begin to do more high-impact exercises again. During your recovery, our care team will help you schedule follow-up appointments so that we can monitor your progress and ensure that you are satisfied with how your results are coming along.

Results

Liposuction for lipedema can have long-lasting results that can continue to be effective for as many as 12 years. (4) Some of the results from lipedema treatment involve:

  • Reduced pain
  • Improved walking and movement abilities
  • Less need for non-surgical treatments
  • Reduced swelling
  • Less prone to bruising
  • Overall improved quality of life
  • Easier to exercise and thus manage weight

Insurance

Insurance coverage for lipedema surgery can be challenging to secure, as policies differ significantly between providers. Many insurers have traditionally considered the procedure cosmetic and excluded it from coverage. However, as medical understanding of lipedema advances, more recognition is being given to its necessity as a treatment. At Panache Plastic Surgery, Dr. Ashraf and his team work closely with patients to help them understand their insurance options, submit claims, and appeal denials. While the process may take time, they are committed to advocating for patients to receive the care they deserve. To learn more, click here or call 415-925-2880.

Cost of Lipedema Treatment in Ontario, CA

The cost of your lipedema treatment will depend on your unique situation. In many cases, insurance will cover comprehensive costs. Dr. Ashraf will explain pricing parameters during your personal consultation after she obtains all the necessary information that will contribute to your treatment plan. To schedule a private appointment where we can discuss the details with you, please fill out our contact form or call either of our office locations:

FAQ

How can I treat my lipedema?

Health professionals may initially recommend that you treat your lipedema on your own, with diligent exercise and healthy dieting. They may also recommend compression socks to help alleviate some of the symptoms. However, these methods can be ineffective or more temporary. Liposuction offers long-lasting results for lipedema.

How does liposuction treat lipedema?

Liposuction treats lipedema by removing the excessive fat deposits from the affected areas. By using small suction tubes called cannulas, surgeons can treat lipedema while sparing the surrounding tissues. After removing this volume, liposuction can relieve many of the uncomfortable symptoms associated with lipedema.

How long do liposuction results last for lipedema?

The liposuction results for lipedema are more long-lasting than other non-surgical treatments, but they are still temporary. However, patients can enjoy the benefits of lipedema liposuction for as long as 12 years.

How long is the liposuction procedure for lipedema?

Liposuction for lipedema will usually take about 2–4 hours, but this length of time depends on the situation of the patient and the areas that Dr. Ashraf is treating.

References

  1. Vyas A, Adnan G. Lipedema. PubMed. Published 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK573066/
  2. Bejar-Chapa M, Rossi N, King N, Hussey MR, Winograd JM, Fernando P.S. Guastaldi. Liposuction as a Treatment for Lipedema: A Scoping Review. Plastic and reconstructive surgery Global open. 2024;12(7):e5952-e5952. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000005952
  3. Peprah K, MacDougall D. Liposuction for the Treatment of Lipedema: A Review of Clinical Effectiveness and Guidelines. Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health; 2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545818/
  4. Baumgartner A, Hueppe M, Meier-Vollrath I, Schmeller W. Improvements in patients with lipedema 4, 8 and 12 years after liposuction. Phlebology: The Journal of Venous Disease. 2020;36(2):152-159. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/0268355520949775