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Initial consultation

Preferably, you should bring all findings and documents about previous treatments, if available, as well as your list of medications and your allergy passport. It is generally helpful to have your family doctor order a blood test to determine your thyroid levels (free T3 and T4 as well as TSH).
It includes a detailed consultation on the topic of lipedema, a thorough examination including ultrasound and photo documentation. We take as much time as needed to answer all questions. Of course, a second consultation is also possible if additional questions arise.
We welcome all patients. However, as a private clinic, we can only bill patients directly. We will gladly provide you with more information.
During the consultation we will determine which individual examinations are necessary. Generally, it is helpful to check the thyroid values (TSH, T3, T4) and to rule out diabetes. The veins should be checked in advance by a doctor specialising in venous disorders (phlebologist) to make sure that the veins are not causing of swelling. If a venous insufficiency requiring surgery is detected, then the surgery should always be performed BEFORE liposuction.
The time varies depending on the type of vein surgery; therefore, it is advisable to clarify the appropriate period with the respective phlebologist.
You are also welcome to have a consultation during pregnancy. However, at this time it is not possible to make a specific statement about the number of surgeries. Surgery should only be performed after breastfeeding, usually no earlier than 6–8 months after the birth of the child.
As a medical practice, we are legally obliged to charge a fee for our services. Billing is based on the official medical fee schedule.

Lipödem for surgery

Aesthetic liposuction usually involves smaller areas that can be treated individually as well as partially. In lipedema liposuction, a special technique is used to preserve the tissue and the function of the lymph vessels. Complete suctioning of the affected areas is also necessary to prevent reoccurrence of the disease.
No. Liposuction has a curative approach to the areas that are suctioned. This means that the disease should most likely not reoccur in the areas that have been consistently and thoroughly liposuctioned. In individual cases, conservative therapy can prevent progression of the disease. However, real improvement can usually not be achieved without surgery.
So far, no. Lipedema will most likely not reoccur, but only in the suctioned areas. However, it is impossible to prevent lipedema from appearing in previously untreated areas. For example, after liposuction of the legs, it is impossible to prevent the arms from being affected in the future. In this case, the only solution is to perform another liposuction in the newly affected areas.
If the areas are carefully suctioned, lipedema will most likely not reappear there. However, liposuction does not mean that you should eat above your calorie requirements, as this will promote weight gain. The good news is that new fat deposits can usually be reduced through diet.
This depends very much on the extent of the problem. If the veins are very dilated, they should also be treated before liposuction to avoid potential bleeding.
We recommend liposuction before pregnancy because the hormonal changes during pregnancy could trigger a new episode of lipedema. Treatment beforehand protects against significant worsening of the condition during pregnancy.
The skin can be tightened using various methods, including the so-called plasma laser or conventional laser treatment. These two methods are performed under general anaesthesia in the same session as the liposuction. The benefit is that no further surgery has to be scheduled, thus saving the patient both time and money.
The limitations of local anaesthesia mean that only a small amount of fat can be suctioned. Under general anaesthesia, the addition of a local anaesthetic is unnecessary. This means that a much larger amount of fat can be suctioned out, usually 3 to 4 times as much.
No. This has two advantages. Firstly, drainage of the fluid allows the tissue to recover more quickly; and secondly, the scars are less visible than with a suture.
Fluid may still leak from the wounds for three to ten days. The wounds are usually closed after 14 days at the latest.
Generally, patients are mobile one day after the surgery. However, cardiovascular problems may occur, especially during the first three to ten days. Therefore, support at home would be advisable for the first few days after the surgery.
Every patient receives heparin before and after the surgery in the clinic. Additional single doses of heparin for thrombosis prophylaxis will be handed out upon discharge. They should be used according to instructions.
Upon discharge, we will give you a prescription for a painkiller as well as an iron and vitamin supplement. They must be taken as instructed. As a rule, you will not need any painkillers after one to two weeks.
A balanced diet before the surgery is very important. After the surgery, you should make sure you drink enough fluids. Moreover, you need to keep an eye on your electrolyte balance, e.g. by consuming dried apricots and bananas as well as the vitamin and iron supplement prescribed by us.
Lymphatic drainage is carried out on site by our physiotherapist on the day of the surgery and on the discharge day. From the time of discharge we recommend the following rotation as a minimum treatment:
  • Until the 2nd week: 3x
  • up to the 4th week: 2x
  • from the 5th week on: 1x
More frequent treatments are better.
Moisturising lotions are good for the skin. Oils with vitamins A, C, and E mixed with a normal lotion are highly recommended.
After any surgery with general anaesthesia, you are not allowed to drive for 48 hours.
To give your body enough time to regenerate, you should not play any sports for the first two weeks. After this time and complete healing of the stitches, you can start swimming and walking. After six weeks you can start to increase your activities up to your usual exercise level.

Preparation for surgery

Lipedema surgeries are performed at LIPOCURA® throughout the year.
Liposuction for lipedema is performed in Munich at the Klinik mednord. It is located at Heidemannstraße 5b and is easy to reach by public transport. For more information, see www.klinik-mednord.de. In Münster, liposuction is performed in the Südklinik at Marktallee 11. You can find more information at www.anaesthesie-zentrum-muensterland.de. Lipoedema treatment at our Stuttgart location takes place in the clinic on Karlshöhe at Humboldtstraße 16. In Cologne, we perform liposuction at the Beethoven-Klinik, Beethovenstraße 5-13.
Yes, we will gladly provide you with a list of hotels near the clinics in our locations.
One overnight stay in a double room is included per treatment. It is possible to book a single room and additional nights for an extra fee.
Pre-anaesthetic consultations are usually held by telephone one day before the operation (or on Fridays if the operation takes place on a Monday). Patients can arrange this in advance by emailing AneMed.
The anaesthetic consultation can take place 3–4 weeks (but no later than 24 hours) before the surgery.
Regular lymphatic drainage (conservative therapy) is a good way to prepare the tissue before the surgery, but is not absolutely necessary.
If you have not yet contacted a lymphatic therapist, it is advisable to arrange one yourself in your local area. You are welcome to contact us if you live near our locations.
No, a single dose will be administered at the clinic right before the surgery. Everything will be handled for you.

Costs

The costs of the surgery must be paid in full two weeks before the surgery. If this cannot be guaranteed, the costs of the surgery can also be paid in instalments via an external service provider. We will be happy to provide you with detailed financing options as well as the necessary documents.
Unfortunately, we cannot provide a general answer here, as the costs vary depending on the severity of lipedema. For example, the costs depend on the number of surgeries and can therefore only be determined during the initial consultation and after a thorough examination. You can also find more information on the Costs page.
No. We will quote you a total price during the individual consultation and planning. The quote provides a full overview of the costs and allows you to calculate and plan accordingly.

Girdle & Compression

As soon as the girdle can be put on and taken off independently after a few days, lymph drainage can also be carried out without the girdle.
The seams of the compression garment can cut into the skin a bit after the surgery. To relieve the pressure, thin cotton socks or make-up pads can be placed between the compression garment and the skin. If this is not sufficient, please contact us.
If the compression garment becomes increasingly stretched, it can be hemmed at the inner or outer seam. It is important that you always place the seam on the outside to avoid pressure points.
The compression garment can be taken off from the second day onward. Showering with assistance is possible the day after the surgery. The girdle must be taken off and washed once after two days.
You can also put on the girdle while it is damp and dry it with a hair dryer on a low setting or dab it with a towel. A damp girdle does not inhibit the healing process!
No, the special post-operative compression garment is ordered for the patient and put on immediately after the surgery.
The compression garment should be worn night and day for six weeks + an additional 6 weeks during the day only and should only be taken off for personal hygiene and washing of the compression. We recommend washing the compression garment twice during the first wash.

In addition to questions about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of lipedema, our patients are concerned about many other uncertainties. In our FAQ section, we have compiled the most frequently asked questions for you and answered them in detail. Although these answers are no substitute for a detailed consultation, they can help ease your initial uncertainties or concerns so that you can look forward to your appointment with us with peace of mind.

 

Do you have any further concerns? Feel free to contact us at any time!

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