This video animation shows symptoms of lipedema and how treatment is performed at Lipedema Centers using lymph-sparing liposuction:

Lipedema, a disorder of fatty tissue affects the legs and occasionally the arms, causing an abnormal accumulation of fat cells. “Lipedema patients develop a noticeably disproportionate appearance, with affected areas growing progressively larger,” says Dr. David Greuner, surgical director of Lipedema Centers, a divsion of NYC Surgical Associates. Signs of lipedema include legs which are symmetrically enlarged between the hips and ankles with a ring of fatty tissue overlapping the tops of the feet; the legs can feel colder than the rest of the body and the skin will have a dough – like feel. Varicose veins are often seen under the skin. Patients usually complain about pain in their legs and knees and have tenderness when pressure is applied on the affected areas. Lipedema often causes reduced mobility, and unlike the typical fat of obesity patients usually cannot lose lipedemic fat  through diet and exercise.

“Although some conservative treatments can reduce pain and the development of secondary lymphedema, they do not seem to affect the lipedemic fat tissue,” says Dr. Greuner. “Consequently, the only successful long term treatment for lipedema is tumescent lymph sparing liposuction. In some cases water-assisted liposuction may be used to aid in breaking up the fat cells. Data suggests that with tumescent liposuction surgeons can remove the excess fat and prevent the return of lipedema with little to no side effects. Research shows that lymph sparing liposuction yields good long -term results in reduction of pain and in stopping the progression of lipedema.”

Lipedema Centers are the only freestanding centers in the country that offer the full array of vascular and lymphatic diagnostics and therapeutics to accurately diagnose lipedema and provide conservative non-surgical treatment, as well as definitive surgical treatment all at one location, without the need for outside referrals. Lipedema Centers also offer diagnostics and management for the other soft tissue and vascular issues that often co-exist with lipedema such as venous insufficiency and lymphedema. Centers are located in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Long Island, and New Jersey. For more information call 888-286-6600 and visit www.lipedemasurgery.com