LIPOEDEMA LIPOSUCTION
at Kliniken, meet UK’s leading Lipoedema Liposuction Surgery specialists
Harrogate’s only State-of-the-Art, luxury Private Surgery Centre.
We are proud to offer expert procedures including specialised Eyelid Surgery & Facelifts.
Who would benefit from a Lipoedema Liposuction ?
How do we do Lipoedema Liposuction ?
What is the final result of Lipoedema Liposuction?
Lipoedema Liposuction
Lipoedema is a chronic, progressive condition that results in the accumulation of excess fat cells in the legs and arms.
It is estimated to affect 1 per cent to 2 percent of women worldwide.
Lipoedema is often mistaken for obesity, but it is a separate disorder.
The cause of lipoedema is unknown, but it may be related to genetics or problems with the lymphatic system.
How do we do Lipoedema Liposuction ?
Patients can typically have Lipoedema Liposuction performed and go home the same day, although in some cases, patients may need to stay in overnight.
Patients can have the procedure under local anaesthetic & sedation or can be asleep with a general anaesthetic.
Multiple small incisions are used to access the fat to allow for safe and efficient liposuction.
Depending on the areas to be operated on, we limit the amount of fat to be removed for patient safety and optimum outcomes.
What kind of patients would benefit from Lipoedema Liposuction?
Patients who either do not have or have never had the angle between the jawline and the neck (cervico-mental angle). Colloquially, this may be known as a turkey neck. There may be volume from fat under the chin. If there is minimal fat, the ageing process may mean that there is loose skin with bands running across the front of the neck, typically from the chin to the collarbones. Some patients may have a genetic predisposition to this (Young people with necks) or most commonly, age-related loosening of the skin.
Background
Lipoedema is a progressive, chronic condition which means, it cannot be cured and gradually continues to worsen.
Lipoedema tends to start when there are big changes in hormone levels in the body (puberty, pregnancy, in vitro fertilisation, menopause).
It was first described in 1940 in the United States but largely ignored until the early 2000s in Germany, where surgeons started recognising and treating Lipoedema with excellent results.
What do you see?
The fat tends to be seen most obviously below the waist, affecting the waist, buttocks, lower limbs and arms to variable degrees.
It doesn’t affect the feet and hands. In contrast, the trunk (chest & tummy) tend to slim. A common complaint is that the fat does not go despite weight-loss effort via diet and exercise.
The fat is symmetrical around the affected limbs, meaning both the right and left tend to be even in size and increase similarly in size.
What do you feel ?
The biggest issue patients tend to have is frustration.
There is poor awareness of Lipoedema amongst most doctors and the general public.
Unfortunately, this leaves the patients in a difficult position where they are made to feel that they are not doing enough to deal with the fat.
Socially, patients have issues with clothing and all this adds up to issues with confidence.
A significant number of patients with Lipoedema tend to suffer from depression and thus need treatment for this.
For the affected areas, the skin tends to have a number of issues
- Sensitive to the cold
- Light pressure causing disproportionate pain
- Easily bruising of the skin
- Painful fat
- Hypermobility of the joints (knee & elbows), that over time can cause arthritis
- Issue with the arch collapse of the feet due to the increased weight, leading to orthopaedic treatment
The stages & Types of Lipoedema
- Stage 1: even skin surface with an enlarged hypodermis
- Stage 2: uneven skin pattern with the development of a nodular or mass-like appearance of subcutaneous fat, lipomas, and/or angiolipomas,
- Stage 3: large growths of nodular fat-causing severe contour deformity of the thighs and around the knee
There are no definite time points when an individual will start with lipoedema.
Also, there is a suggestion that a spike in female hormone levels leads to progression but this is not always the case & how quickly or slowly an individual progresses through the different stages can vary.
This can vary from months to decades between periods of progression between stages.
The types of lipoedema include
- Type 1: Pelvis, buttocks, and hips
- Type 2: Buttocks to knees, with the formation of folds of fat around the inner side of the knee
- Type 3: Buttocks to ankles
- Type 4: Arms
- Type 5: Isolated lower leg
Types 1-3 tend to be the most common but it is important to bear in mind that each individual can have one or a combination of types.
The fat of lipoedema tends to be nodular to feel over the skin and after it is removed by liposuction.
Another common description of the fat is a grain-like or sand-like feel under the skin.
Despite the name, there is no lymphoedema (i.e. swelling) with lipoedema meaning no pitting of the skin occurs, and raising the limbs above the level of the heart does not decrease the swelling.
There may be spider naevi, that can break easily, leading to bruising.
Causes of Lipoedema
There is no definite known cause for lipoedema but it is thought to be part of the range of problems with the body’s management of fat, which are termed adipose tissue disorders.
This includes multiple lipomas (Dercum’s disease) & fat storage disorders (Madelung’s disease).
Diagnosis of Lipoedema
Treatment of Lipoedema
Useful Organisations
Global Lipoedema Awareness:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/mylipoedematreatmentjourney/about/
What do we do before Lipoedema Liposuction ?
When patients come into the clinic, our UK-trained plastic surgeon, makes a full assessment of the patient.
This includes any relevant history, including reasons for surgery and a thorough examination including the trunk, waist, Buttocks, whole legs and arms.
Part of this process is explaining to the patients what can be done, why, and what to expect, based on each patients’ anatomy and suitability for liposuction for lipoedema.
What do patients see after Lipoedema Liposuction ?
Patients tend to notice an immediate improvement in the volume of the areas operated on, although they will have tight compression dressings on when they regain consciousness.
The swelling after surgery occurs for the first 48 hours and after this stage, swelling starts to significantly improve.
We see patients one week after surgery to check on the patients and remove any visible stitches.
By 2 weeks patients feel brighter and fresher. Once safe, patients are let out of the clinic with close follow up arranged to ensure improvements would happen as anticipated.
What are the alternatives to Lipoedema Liposuction?
Consult Your Surgeon
How much does Lipoedema Liposuction cost?
Quick Reference
-
SURGICAL TIME
1.5 - 2 hours -
ANAESTHETIC
Local Anaesthetic & Sedation OR General Anaesthetic -
COSTS
£10,000 -
SUGGESTED TIME OFF WORK
2 weeks -
DAY CASE
Yes -
SUGGESTED TIME BEFORE SHOWERING
48 hours
Our UK trained and qualified surgeons
are here to help you
Why us
Why Choose Klinken for Lipoedema Liposuction Surgery
- Discuss your needs
Generous hour long consultations to discuss your needs
- Innovative approach
Natural and innovative approach to treatments
- Helps you rest and recuperate
Country side and clean air helps you rest and recuperate
- Same clinician
Same clinician from start to finish
- Attentive care
Personalised and attentive care throughout
- Privacy and Discretion
Privacy and discretion of our clients is paramount
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