Millions of individuals worldwide, mostly women, suffer from lipedema, a painful condition characterized by an excessive buildup of fat in the arms, legs, thighs, and hips. Even though this adipose tissue disorder is common, many people have their conditions misdiagnosed as lymphedema, obesity, or cellulite, resulting in inadequate treatment and impaired quality of life. Laser liposuction in NYC can help get rid the excess fat, address some of the symptoms of lipedema, and provide a more natural looking body contour.
What is Lipedema?
Lipedema, also called “painful fat syndrome” is an inherited disease that affects women, and is characterized by unusual accumulation of fat cells in the legs and arms.
Typically, lipedema starts to build up in the early adolescent years and worsens with time as people gain more weight. When women gain weight, they may discover that their calves and legs become worse. This is especially true for younger women. When the same patients lose weight through exercise or bariatric surgery, abnormal fat storage often becomes quite apparent. Patients with lipedema typically lose weight overall, but they also tend to retain fat in the affected areas. As a result, the person has a slender face and body but very wide hips and persistently plump legs. Pain, bruising, and discomfort are common symptoms experienced by lipedema patients, which can impair their mobility and quality of life. Furthermore, the illness can have a negative psychological effect, making many sufferers feel uncomfortable in their own body.
How Does Liposuction Work?
Lipedema treatments involve removing the fat cells in a safe and effective manner and thereby allowing the body to get back to a more natural shape. For patients who have lymphedema as a consequence of the lipedema, the lymph fluids will have to be drained away before providing liposuction. A specialist can provide advice in this regard. Once the plastic surgeon determines that a patient is a candidate for the lipo procedure, laser devices such as Smartlipo Triplex can be used to remove the fat cells.
Beyond just providing immediate physical comfort, liposuction can also enhance a patient’s overall wellbeing and emotional state. Its benefits include improved mobility, self-worth, and quality of life.
Considering liposuction?
Recent Studies on Lipedema and Liposuction
Since liposuction is being investigated as a surgical treatment option for lipodema, a recent study explored its efficacy as a possible primary therapy for the condition. The study was based on seven papers that collectively involved 451 female patients diagnosed with lipedema. The researchers noted that spontaneous pain, edema, bruising, mobility, and quality of life of liposuction patients improved significantly after the procedure, but that after the procedure, more over half of the patients still needed conservative treatment. The study advises caution despite these encouraging results because of the intricacy of lipedema, the heavy reliance on self-reported data, and the shortcomings of the examined studies. It noted that liposuction should be viewed as an auxiliary, experimental therapy rather than a cure, even though it may provide symptomatic relief.
Treatment for lipedema may vary from one patient to another. Candidates will have to work with their general practitioner and plastic surgeon to identify the right treatment strategy. After laser liposuction in NYC, it is important to follow all the instructions provided by the surgeon for smooth and comfortable recovery.
