Lipoedema
Lipoedema and its different stages: a chronic disease with a high level of suffering
Lipoedema is already unofficially referred to as a "widespread disease", as the number of people affected is increasing from year to year. The disease, also known as Allen-Hines syndrome, mainly affects women, many of whom are overweight. However, women who are not overweight and are generally considered slim by society can also be affected.
It is also assumed that lipoedema is hereditary, as around 60 percent of affected women have relatives who also have or have had the condition. However, there is no evidence for this theory to date.
However, a recent study suggests that lipoedema is favored by so-called leaky gut syndrome. The meta-analysis states that in the case of lipoedema, antigens presumably originating from the small intestine are found in the inflamed fatty tissue layer of a person affected. These antigens only enter the body because the small intestine is perforated and therefore the natural protective barrier no longer functions one hundred percent, according to the brief summary of the study.
Leaky gut syndrome
Leaky gut syndrome refers to an impaired and permeable intestinal mucosa, which is considered a significant factor in many chronic diseases. Most of these diseases, such as allergies and autoimmune diseases, are considered difficult to treat. So far, most doctors have not pointed out this connection.
What actually is lipedema?
Lipoedema is characterized by disproportionate accumulations of fat that occur in various parts of the body and can be very painful; in addition, the changes in the body regions are psychologically stressful for many sufferers. How many women are affected can only be estimated. The specialist associations assume that around ten to 17 percent of the world's female population could be affected by this chronic disease; the number of unreported cases is probably higher.
The disease - doctors divide lipoedema into stages one to three - is difficult to diagnose. In order to make a correct diagnosis, doctors need years of experience.
The symptoms of lipoedema
But how does lipoedema manifest itself? During the course of the disease, there is a disproportionate accumulation of fatty tissue in various parts of the body, preferably in the lower extremities. This includes the legs, thighs and buttocks. The fatty tissue can feel soft or rubbery and often has an uneven, nodular surface. Both sides of the body are often affected symmetrically, which means that both the right and left sides of the body have similar manifestations of lipoedema. Furthermore, the arms are also affected in around one in ten women.
Severe pain and possible hematoma formation
Symptoms of lipoedema are pain, which can be expressed as a pressing, heavy or burning sensation and intensify when touched or pressure is applied. In addition, painful hematomas can form unusually quickly on impact, i.e. lipoedema and pressure pain and bruising are often associated with each other. On top of this, less severe symptoms can also occur: Some sufferers experience swelling in their legs, especially at the end of the day or after standing or sitting for a long time. In addition, itching in the described areas of the body or a feeling of numbness can also indicate lipoedema. In addition, lipoedema can also be completely painless in a few patients. Despite being pain-free, these patients may already be in one of the three stages of lipoedema if, for example, they have corresponding inflammation levels of lipoedema. The latter can be determined in a comprehensive examination in the practice or clinic and then assigned by experienced doctors.
The three stages of lipoedema
As mentioned in the previous section, modern medicine divides lipoedema into three stages, depending on its severity. The three stages of lipoedema describe the structure of the tissue and the condition of the skin. The degree of severity is determined on the basis of the external appearance of the skin and the palpation findings. Unfortunately, however, the classification, which is still commonly used, does not provide any information about the subjective complaints of the women affected, which can also be decisive for the diagnosis. Particularly in the early stages, when the external signs are comparatively minor, the pain experienced can impair mobility, quality of life and enjoyment of life. The disease is therefore often not recognized by some medical professionals in other disciplines and the diagnosis is not made. This deprives these women of the opportunity to take advantage of initial treatments, such as individually fitted compression stockings to relieve the pain, a change in diet and individualized micro- and macronutrient therapy.
Lipedema stage 1
But let's get back to the specific stages: The most difficult form of lipoedema to recognize is the first stage. In stage 1 lipoedema, all those affected develop palpable and potentially painful thickenings of fatty tissue. These can be thought of as small polystyrene balls that have gotten under the skin and cause a feeling of tension and foreign body sensation as well as an undefined burning sensation. The uniform thickening of the lower layers of the skin is also often mistaken for slight obesity by those affected.
At the revitCells® practice clinic in Soest, we specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, surgery and aftercare of lipoedema. In our experience, many patients have only "landed" in stage 2 because stage 1 was not recognized. This is because if stage 1 remains undetected, the disease can progress seamlessly to stage 2. An early visit to the doctor is therefore advisable, especially if the cardinal symptoms described above occur increasingly throughout the day. Other symptoms such as small dents (orange peel skin) or rapidly forming hematomas can also cause problems for those affected.
At this stage, surgery is not absolutely necessary; conservative and holistic methods may also lead to significant relief and containment of the disease. Nevertheless, surgery is already possible and often even advisable in stage 1 lipoedema in order to remove diseased cells from the body and thus minimize the spread of the disease. Important information on the expected costs can be found in the section below.
Lipedema stage 2
In contrast, the subsequent stage is much more noticeable. While initially, in stage 1, only a slight thickening of the affected body parts is noticeable, in stage 2 lipoedema increasingly larger fat deposits form. These change and deform the first body contours. The condition only affects the legs and/or arms; the torso, hands and feet are generally excluded. In addition, lipoedema always occurs symmetrically on both sides. In the second stage of development, the disease can now be clearly distinguished from normal obesity. It is not uncommon for affected women to need different clothing sizes for their upper and lower body from this point onwards. The surface of the skin also begins to deform like waves and larger dents appear on it.
We recommend treatment at the latest at lipoedema stage 2, i.e. gentle plastic surgery with a lasting effect and other accompanying measures. After lipoedema stage 2 surgery, the results impressively reveal the difference between before and after. Many women can't believe how much easier their lives have suddenly become and - let's be frank - how much more attractive they feel. Many of our reviews on Jameda, here on the website and on other portals speak volumes in this regard. One thing is certain, the onset of stage 2 lipoedema requires action. Affected women experience increasingly severe pain and the disease has a restrictive effect on their everyday lives. As harsh as it may sound, the degree of disability in stage 2 lipoedema can already be compared to that of other people with special needs; the barriers in everyday life and society can already be enormous at this stage. For this reason, surgical interventions in the form of gentle liposuction - at revitCells® we use particularly gentle water-jet liposuction (WAL) - are urgently recommended in stage 2 lipoedema. Whether and under what conditions health insurance companies will cover the costs of treatment for stage 2 lipoedema is also explained in the section below.
Lipedema stage 3
It is even worse for women with stage 3 lipoedema, regardless of whether it occurs on the arms or legs. Those affected who have reached this stage have probably ignored any medical advice in the past or simply not consulted a doctor. At this level of severity, lipoedema can no longer be overlooked or confused with mere obesity. It is considered the "final stage" in medicine. Sufferers have to contend with severely deformed legs or arms. The extreme increase in volume with a pronounced increase in girth can no longer be hidden or denied. In this phase, freedom of movement is significantly restricted and often causes competition even for people who have had special needs since birth.
In this final stage of the disease, the previously merely deformed skin tissue now also begins to harden; coarse fat flaps with overhanging skin tissue become visible. Some women describe the pain as "hellish". At the revitCells® practice clinic, we can no longer advise any other measure than multi-stage liposuction of the fat cells using water-jet liposuction (WAL), which we explain in more detail below. All other measures such as compression garments, a change in dietary habits and the development of gastric and intestinal flora through individually composed micro- and macronutrients are important as an accompanying measure, but are no longer effective on their own at this stage at the latest.
Despite all of this, these measures taken together make it much more difficult for lipoedema to return. In stage 3 lipoedema, there is a chance for a few "lucky ones" that their statutory health insurance will cover at least part of the costs; the section below also explains this.
Which doctor can diagnose lipedema?
Based on the symptoms and signs listed above, many women suspect that they are suffering from lipoedema. However, only a few of them know where they can have lipoedema diagnosed. The question: Who can diagnose lipoedema?
In fact, there is a great deal of confusion at this point, as there is no specialist for lipoedema. In addition, even in this high-tech century, there is still no diagnostic technique specifically for lipoedema, let alone a blood analysis intended exclusively for lipoedema diagnosis.
In any case, some specialists in plastic and aesthetic surgery have specialized in lipoedema treatment in the past. Accordingly, the diagnosis, treatment and aftercare of lipoedema are also part of our core competencies here at the revitCells® practice clinic.
Is there a test for lipedema detection?
First and foremost, the many years of experience of our head physician Dr. Denis Simunec in dealing with the disease ensures the most accurate diagnosis possible. In order to recognize lipoedema, we use various parameters for lipoedema diagnostics in addition to the patient's medical history. These include the overall visual appearance of the patient, the results of the palpation findings and the pinch findings, which are used to check the sensation of pain in specific areas of the body. Diagnostics also include lipoedema ultrasound and a complete 3D body scan. Incidentally, the latter scan is carried out a second time after the operations have been completed. This gives the doctor and patient an optimal overview of how the patient's body has changed after treatment.
The importance of lipedema diagnostics
Each individual point of the diagnostics described above helps to create a customized treatment approach for each patient and thus achieve the greatest possible effect for improving the long-term health of those affected. In addition, a comprehensive analysis, taking into account various facts, allows us to recognize lipoedema even in slim women and then treat them accordingly. This target group would not be noticed in a purely visual inspection, for example.
Furthermore, a serious diagnosis also includes the exclusion of diseases that can easily be confused with lipoedema. Obesity is one such disorder. A responsible doctor should also determine whether it is more likely to be lymphoedema or lipohypertrophy and initiate or recommend appropriate treatment. Background: This initially symptom-free and genetically determined accumulation of fat can develop into lipoedema over time.
What treatment options are there for lipedema?
After so much information about lipoedema, it is now time to look at the different treatment options for lipoedema. There are basically two types of lipoedema treatments that can make life with the chronic disease easier: conservative therapy - i.e. lipoedema treatment without surgery - and surgery. In conservative lipoedema treatment, all non-surgical measures are used to alleviate symptoms and reduce pain in the early stages of lipoedema. For example, special compression garments, such as compression stockings or compression pants for lipoedema patients, ensure that the same amount of pressure is exerted on the affected area of the body. This in turn reduces the accumulation of fluid and minimizes swelling, which is one of the most common symptoms of lipoedema. Conservative lipoedema therapy is supported by regular lymphatic drainage. This is a special type of medical massage that stimulates the transport of lymph fluid in the lymph vessels - accumulation of fluids and the associated pain and swelling should therefore be prevented or reduced. However, it is important to emphasize that this treatment option is generally only used as the sole measure in the initial lipoedema stage. As soon as the disease has progressed, i.e. the patient is in the second or third stage of lipoedema, surgical intervention is considered advisable and more sensible.
Liposuction or liposuction
Liposuction is the first choice here. The aim of this method is to remove as many lipoedema cells as possible from the fatty tissue. However, exactly how this is achieved depends on the particular type of liposuction. For example, some doctors use laser-assisted liposuction (LAL) to treat their lipoedema patients. This involves emulsifying the fatty tissue using laser energy and then suctioning it out. The advantage of this method is that the laser seals small blood vessels during the procedure and the patient therefore suffers less blood loss. Others use power-assisted liposuction (PAL), in which fat cells are quickly moved back and forth by vibration and thus liquefied. Subsequently, significantly larger amounts of fat can be suctioned out in a shorter time than usual - reducing the number of sessions required.
Here at revitCells® Praxisklinik, however, we rely on the gentle bodyjet variant, or more precisely on water-jet liposuction (WAL). We use a high-pressure water jet to loosen and suck out the fatty tissue. This form of water jet liposuction makes it possible for the first time to remove extremely large volumes of fat in one session. The procedure therefore differs explicitly from classic tumescent liposuction. The anatomical conditions, such as the arrangement of the axial lymphatic channels, are absolutely respected during liposuction, which is why we do not use the criss-cross technique that is still commonly used. The advantage of this "incision technique", also known as no-criss-cross , becomes apparent immediately after lipoedema removal, as there are significantly fewer injuries compared to traditional incision procedures. In addition, an ARGO plasma lift can be performed immediately after the operation to reduce sagging tissue. This is suitable for the thighs and upper arms, for example.
Regardless of the lipoedema treatment method chosen, the time after the operation is particularly important for the further course of the disease, as the symptoms can return after a few years following the operation.
Why do some lipedema patients regain weight after surgery?
The explanation: As already mentioned, the aim of liposuction is to remove the cells affected by lipoedema. However, many patients ask themselves why they have gained weight after lipoedema surgery? No wonder, realistically speaking, it is not possible to completely rid the body of lipoedema. Even after an operation, the few remaining diseased cells can multiply again; lipoedema symptoms occur more frequently as a result. Affected women who gain weight again drastically a few years after the operation are therefore dependent on another liposuction. However, there is a way to counteract this process and prevent lipoedema from recurring after liposuction. We at revitCells® have developed our own therapy concept for this purpose. The revitCells® therapy follows an uncompromising, holistic approach. For example, we examine the microbiota of the patient's small intestine before waterjet liposuction. Just two drops of blood provide us with valuable information about possible metabolic disorders. The same applies to the omega-3 fatty acid balance. This approach is based on the medical knowledge that fundamental metabolic control circuits are disturbed in lipoedema. This also includes the above-mentioned leaky gut syndrome. We then use the results of the analysis to draw up an individual treatment plan for each patient. After the operation, this focuses primarily on nutrition and boosting the immune system with important macronutrients. In this way, patients can counteract the metabolic disorders described here. This reduces the likelihood of lipoedema returning all too quickly after liposuction.
What are the costs of liposuction?
The cost of liposuction, primarily in stage 2 and stage 3, depends on which and how many areas of the body are affected. However, regardless of how the patient is feeling at the time of the consultation, the team at revitCells® Praxisklinik will never perform just one procedure. Our experience: A single operation increases the risk of complications and permanent injuries. It is often necessary to treat two parts of the body, such as the thighs and buttocks - also known collectively as saddlebags.
Irrespective of this basic information on the costs of the procedures, please contact us personally. Please ask us to provide you with an individual cost estimate tailored to your needs. Roughly speaking, however, you can expect to pay between 6,400 and 6,700 euros for our services per surgical procedure. The plasma tightening mentioned above costs between 2,400 and 2,600 euros. You can find out exactly which services are included in the overall offer here on this page: Lipoedema treatment by revitCells®.
Incidentally, health insurance companies are currently not prepared to cover the costs of lipoedema liposuction. Only in a few exceptional cases of stage 3 has a proportion of the surgery costs been covered. The fact is, although there is a strong consensus in the medical community that lipoedema is an exponentially increasing disease that severely restricts the quality of life of those affected in all areas, there is no form of aid. But there is another way: many affected women who have suffered from lipoedema for years to decades are now delighted with their decisions to a) have opted for revitCells® and b) have made the investment in liposuction and thus in their health. Among them are also self-pay patients, who in turn used insurance or financing from a provider specializing in medical services to finance the treatment; according to them, "at very fair conditions suitable for everyday use". Some of the testimonials from lipoedema patients can be read here if you are interested.
Important
This page only contains general information on the subject of lipoedema and cannot replace a visit to the doctor. Please do not self-diagnose or self-medicate based on the content displayed here. Reading this article does not replace a visit to the doctor at any time! If you have a suspected diagnosis, please visit your trusted doctor's practice immediately. You are also welcome to use the contact options on this page to contact us for further information or an initial appointment.
Get advice on lipoedema stages, diagnosis and new treatment methods.
Make an appointment at my revitCells® practice clinic and get detailed advice on the modern techniques for the best possible results.
Arrange appointment
