Lipedema
Lipedema: a disease, not an aesthetic problem
An approach to painful, inflamed fat accumulation in the legs.
01 · The procedure
Why lipedema doesn't respond to diet
An approach to painful, inflamed fat accumulation in the legs.
Lipedema is a chronic, inflammatory disease that causes fat accumulation with a characteristic distribution, almost always in the legs, symmetrically and sparing the feet. It comes with tenderness to pressure, a feeling of heaviness, easy bruising, and swelling that worsens throughout the day.
The most important clinical difference is this: it isn't common fat. It doesn't respond proportionally to diet and exercise, which often generates years of frustration and guilt in those living with the condition undiagnosed. Many patients arrive at the consultation having only been told they needed to lose weight.
Treatment is multidisciplinary and starts outside the surgical center: clinical management, compression, physical therapy and nutritional follow-up. Surgery enters in selected cases, when symptoms persist despite conservative treatment.
When indicated, liposuction is performed with a specific technique to preserve the lymphatic system, and the main goal is symptom relief, pain, heaviness and limited mobility, , with improved contour as a consequence.
02 · Reviews
What patients say
Public patient reviews on Google.
Estou feliz de ter conhecido e feito minha cirurgia com a Dra Niandra Sartori. Resultado maravilhoso, acompanhamento de muito cuidado e atenção. Não tive nenhum problema no pós, tudo correu muito bem.
Minha experiência com a Dra Niandra foi a melhor possível, médica super competente, toda equipe maravilhosa. Tudo perfeito.
Gostei muito do atendimento com a dra. Niandra. Foi muito atenciosa e respondeu todas as nossas dúvidas.
Ótimo atendimento! Muito educada, bastante clara nas informações passadas.
Individual accounts of care and experience; results vary from person to person and are not a promise of outcome.
How do I know if I have lipedema?
The diagnosis is clinical and considers the symmetric distribution, involvement that spares the feet, tenderness to pressure, and easy bruising. The in-person evaluation is the path, and a diagnosis often brings relief to those who lived with the condition unnamed.
Does losing weight solve it?
Lipedema fat doesn't respond proportionally to diet and exercise. Losing weight improves overall health and helps with management, but doesn't treat the disease's characteristic distribution.
Does surgery cure it?
No. Lipedema is chronic. Surgery, when indicated, reduces volume and relieves symptoms; conservative management remains necessary afterward.
Will I need more than one surgery?
It is common. The extent of the affected areas usually requires more than one surgical session, with an interval between them.
Is it the same as aesthetic liposuction?
No. The technique is oriented toward preserving the lymphatic system, and the primary goal is relieving pain and heaviness, not sculpting contour.
Does health insurance cover it?
There may be coverage with an appropriate diagnosis and clinical documentation. The documentation is provided, but the decision belongs to the insurer.
Next step
Tired of being told it is just diet?
Lipedema has its own diagnosis and its own management. The first step is an in-person consultation, with a clinical exam and recorded measurements.
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