international@lipocura.de
Deciding to undergo surgery for lipedema is often the result of a long journey—years of uncertainty, misdiagnoses, and the feeling of not being taken seriously finally come to an end. This makes it all the more important that, now that you have taken this step, you can approach your procedure feeling well prepared and at ease. Careful preparation not only protects your body, but also gives you the inner confidence and calm you deserve on this important day.
In this article, we answer the most important questions our patients have before liposuction—from anesthesia and compression therapy to the use of medications. This guide builds on your initial consultation and supports you through all the key steps leading up to your procedure.
Before your liposuction can be performed, a number of medical preoperative examinations are necessary—not as a bureaucratic hurdle, but as an important safeguard for you and your body. These assessments ensure that you are optimally prepared for the procedure and that your medical team has all the relevant information needed to plan your surgery as safely and individually as possible.
The standard examinations before liposuction usually include:
Depending on your individual health status and medical history, additional examinations may be required, such as a thyroid evaluation or an internal medicine clearance. If there is any suspicion of, or a known history of, venous disease, a phlebological assessment is also recommended to optimally tailor the planning and performance of the liposuction. Your treating physician will inform you during your consultation which findings and tests are necessary in your specific case. Important: Please bring all previous medical reports, medication plans, and relevant physician letters to your preoperative consultation. The more informed your treatment team is, the better they can tailor the procedure to your individual needs.
For many patients, the initial consultation is a moment of relief. Finally having someone who truly understands lipedema and takes it seriously is immensely important. During this conversation, your personal story takes center stage. Based on your individual situation—your medical history, symptoms, goals, and physical condition—your treatment team will work with you to develop a tailored treatment plan. In addition to the in-depth discussion, a physical examination of the affected areas will also be carried out. This allows for a realistic assessment of which areas should be treated, how extensive the procedure is likely to be, and what results you can expect. You will have the opportunity at any time to ask questions openly—none is too small or unimportant.
Before every operation, a mandatory anesthesia consultation takes place. We want you to see this appointment not as a mere formality, but as an important moment in which we work together to ensure that you feel completely safe and well cared for on the day of your surgery. At LIPOCURA®, this consultation takes place in the same clinic where your procedure will be performed. This gives you the opportunity to become familiar with the environment in advance, helping anything that may still feel unfamiliar become more reassuring. Our patients are contacted by the anesthesia team by phone one to five days before the operation, so there is no need for you to reach out to them yourself.
During the consultation, important topics will be discussed:
But it is also the right moment to ask any remaining questions that may be on your mind. Many patients come to this consultation with concerns they may hardly dare to voice: What if I notice something during the operation? What if I react poorly to the anesthesia? This is exactly what this appointment is for. Your anesthesia team will take the time to carefully address your concerns, provide detailed information, and give you the reassurance you deserve. So that you also know what to expect during the procedure: At LIPOCURA®, a specially developed, particularly tissue-sparing technique is used. You can find more details about this on our method page.
For liposuction in the treatment of lipedema, general anesthesia is usually preferred. There are good reasons for this: general anesthesia allows the procedure to be carried out in a way that is as comfortable, safe, and gentle for you as possible. You will be asleep, your body will be fully relaxed, and the surgical team can work in a focused and precise manner. This is particularly important for larger-volume liposuctions and to ensure a tissue-sparing technique.
What you do—or intentionally avoid doing—in the days and weeks leading up to your liposuction can make a real difference. Regular manual lymphatic drainage in the weeks before liposuction helps optimally prepare your tissue for the procedure. Lymphatic drainage before and after lipedema surgery can reduce existing swelling, improve tissue circulation, and positively influence the healing process.
If you are already wearing compression stockings or leggings, it is important to continue using them regularly and consistently.
Do you still have questions or would you like to talk? Our LIPOCOACH® team is here for you if you are looking for answers or simply want to discuss any uncertainties about your liposuction.
Schedule a Lipedema Consultation Now
The day after your surgery, lymphatic drainage will begin with our LIPOPHYSIO®. As a qualified sports physiotherapist and specialist in manual lymphatic drainage, they will also support you with important advice and practical tips.
One aspect that is easily overlooked in everyday life is the question of your medication. Yet it is one of the most important elements of a safe preoperative preparation. Please do not stop any medication on your own initiative and inform your treatment team at LIPOCURA® fully and openly about all substances you take regularly—prescription medications as well as over-the-counter drugs, dietary supplements, and herbal products. What may seem harmless can have an impact on the procedure or the healing process.
Special attention must be given to medications that affect blood clotting. These include common pain relievers such as aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) or ibuprofen, as well as certain dietary supplements such as turmeric, omega-3 fatty acids, or vitamin E. In general, these should be paused at least one week before the procedure, provided this is medically appropriate. Never make this decision on your own, but always in close consultation with your treating physician or general practitioner.
Routine antibiotic prophylaxis is not standard for liposuction procedures. Whether it is useful or necessary in your individual case will be discussed with you during the anesthesia consultation or the preoperative medical assessment. Do not take antibiotics on your own without prior agreement with your treatment team.
In addition to medication, there are other specific instructions that will help you be optimally prepared for your surgery day. As a rule, you should not eat any solid food for up to 6 hours before anesthesia. Clear fluids such as water or unsweetened tea are often still permitted up to 2 hours beforehand. Smoking, e-cigarettes, and other nicotine products should be avoided as early as possible, as nicotine impairs wound healing and increases anesthesia-related risks. However, the binding instructions are always those provided individually by your treatment team.
We have compiled an initial, easy-to-follow checklist for you—so you don’t forget anything and can fully focus on what matters most on the day of your operation: yourself.
Many patients underestimate how strongly good preparation can influence the overall outcome—not only physically, but also mentally. Those who know what to expect tend to approach the procedure in a more relaxed way.
☐ Preoperative examinations completed and medical reports prepared
Blood tests, coagulation values, and an ECG should be available in good time before the procedure. Please bring all medical reports, physician letters, and your current medication plan to your pre-consultation— the more complete, the better.
☐ Anesthesia consultation scheduled
The anesthesia team will usually contact you by phone one to five days before your operation. You do not need to reach out to them yourself. Use this conversation to clarify any open questions about anesthesia and the overall procedure.
☐ All medications discussed with your treatment team
Please inform your team in full about all medications you are taking—including over-the-counter products, dietary supplements, and herbal remedies. What may seem harmless can influence the procedure or the healing process.
☐ Blood-thinning medications stopped in time (after medical consultation)
Pain relievers such as aspirin or ibuprofen, as well as certain supplements like omega-3 fatty acids or vitamin E, should generally be paused at least one week before the procedure—but only after explicit consultation with your doctor or general practitioner. Never discontinue medication on your own.
☐ Possible venous conditions clarified in advance
Existing venous conditions—such as varicose veins or venous insufficiency—can affect the planning and execution of liposuction. Be sure to address this point with your treatment team in advance so that it can be decided together whether a phlebological assessment is necessary.
☐ Focus on lymphatic drainage
Manual lymphatic drainage is an important part of both your preparation and aftercare—so please plan sufficient time for it in advance. In the weeks leading up to surgery, regular treatments help support your tissue and optimally prepare it for the procedure. After the operation, lymphatic drainage becomes an integral part of your aftercare at close intervals. Planning this ahead of time allows you to focus fully on recovery after surgery—without the stress of finding or scheduling appointments.
☐ Understanding compression garments – when and how they are worn
After liposuction, wearing compression garments is a key part of your healing process—and at LIPOCURA® you don’t need to worry about organizing them, as we provide you with the appropriate compression supply. What you should know: the compression garment is applied directly after the procedure and should be worn consistently during the initial healing phase—16 weeks in total, 8 weeks day and night, followed by 8 weeks during the day only.
☐ Take care of your body in the days leading up to surgery Get enough sleep, drink plenty of water, eat a balanced diet, and avoid alcohol in the days before your operation. Your body should enter the procedure well-rested and strengthened—this truly makes a difference.
☐ Arrange a companion for the day of surgery and the first night
After an operation under general anesthesia, you are not allowed to drive yourself or go home alone. Arrange for a trusted person to pick you up and, if possible, stay with you for the first night or at least remain reachable. This provides not only practical safety but also emotional reassurance.
☐ Coordinate sick leave and time off with your employer
Plan sufficient recovery time after the procedure. Depending on the extent of the treatment and the type of your job, you should generally expect a sick leave of about one to three weeks—longer for physically demanding occupations. Discuss this with your employer early so that you can focus fully on your recovery after surgery without additional pressure.
☐ Prepare your home
Make sure everything is ready for your return home: enough groceries, comfortable clothing, and essential items within easy reach. Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activities in the first few days. Small preparations—such as creating a comfortable resting area and keeping necessities close by—can make the first days after surgery significantly more comfortable.
☐ Prepare important documents and your bag for the day of surgery
Please pack in good time: your health insurance card, identification document, all relevant medical reports and physician letters, your compression garments, as well as comfortable, loose-fitting clothing for the journey home. Jewelry, nail polish, and makeup should be left at home.
Thorough preparation for lipedema surgery is not a bureaucratic formality—it is an act of self-care. You have worked toward this moment for a long time. Now it is about making it as smooth and well-supported as possible. At LIPOCURA®, we accompany you from your initial consultation through to aftercare—with medical expertise, but above all with genuine understanding.
Download your checklist
Do you still have open questions about preparing for your liposuction?
Schedule your personal consultation at LIPOCURA® now—we take the time for you and your individual situation.
Specialist for plastic and aesthetic surgery
From LIPOCOACH® | Pia
From Caroline Sprott
By loading the video, you accept Instagram's Privacy policy.
Follow us
By loading the video, you accept YouTube's Privacy policy.