Treatment of lipedema
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Lipoedema is a chronic, progressive and painful fat distribution disorder that occurs almost exclusively in women.
It is not obesity in the conventional sense, but a pathological increase and enlargement of fat cells that occurs symmetrically, especially on the legs and arms, but also on the hips and buttocks.
Lipoedema fatty tissue is resistant to diet and exercise.
Characteristics of lipoedema
There are some typical characteristics of lipoedema that we would like to present to you below.
Symmetrical fat distribution
The fat deposits affect both sides of the body equally.
Disproportion
There is a clear disproportion between the torso (which often remains slim) and the affected limbs. The so-called "saddlebags syndrome" or "pillar legs" are typical manifestations.
Pain and sensitivity to touch
Those affected often complain of pain and tenderness in the affected areas. Even light touches or bumps can be painful.
Tendency to hematomas
Bruising occurs easily as the blood vessel walls are weakened.
Feeling of heaviness
The legs often feel heavy, tired and swollen.
Delimitation
Lipoedema typically ends abruptly at the wrists or ankles, creating a "cuff effect". The hands and feet themselves are not usually affected.
What stages of lipoedema are there?
Stage I
The skin surface is smooth and the fatty tissue feels soft. Small nodules can be felt when pressure is applied. The disproportion of the legs or arms is often still moderate.
Stage II
The skin surface becomes uneven, similar to orange peel skin. The subcutaneous tissue is increasingly thickened and larger, pea-sized fat nodules form. Sensitivity to touch and pain increase.
Stage III
The skin is hard and thickened. Large, deforming skin bulges and fatty lumps (so-called lipomas) form, which can restrict mobility. The joints can be affected by the deformation and the pain is often very severe.
What forms of treatment are common and possible?
The treatment of lipoedema follows two primary approaches: Conservative therapy and surgical therapy.
Conservative therapies
Conservative therapy
Conservative treatment aims to alleviate the symptoms, slow down the progression of the disease and improve quality of life. It is a long-term therapy and not a cure.
Compression garments (flat knit compression)
Special, custom-made compression stockings or pants exert pressure on the tissue, which reduces edema, relieves pain and tightens the skin.
Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD)
A special form of massage that stimulates the drainage of lymphatic fluid and thus reduces swelling (even if only temporarily). MLD should be performed by a qualified physiotherapist.
Skin care
Because of the increased susceptibility to inflammation and infection, careful skin care is important.
Movement therapy
Special exercises performed under compression garments can improve lymph drainage and alleviate symptoms.
Surgical therapy (liposuction)
Combined therapies
Efforts are being made to combine liposuction with other methods in order to optimize the results.
Research in the field of genetics and hormones
As the causes of lipoedema are not yet fully understood, there are research approaches that focus on genetic predisposition and the influence of hormones (e.g. during puberty, pregnancy or menopause).
This could lead to new drug therapies in the future. However, there is currently no approved drug treatment for lipoedema.
NEW PROCEDURES AND TREATMENT APPROACHES
Are there new treatment approaches?
Tumescent liposuction
In this method, a large amount of a special fluid (consisting of saline solution, adrenaline and a local anesthetic) is injected into the fatty tissue before the fat is suctioned out. This makes the procedure gentler and reduces bleeding.
Water-jet assisted liposuction (WAL)
The fatty tissue is detached from the tissue bandage using a fine, fan-shaped jet of water and suctioned out at the same time. This method is particularly gentle on the tissue and is often preferred by lipoedema patients, as lymph vessels are less damaged.
New approaches often focus on improving surgical techniques and understanding disease mechanisms.
We will help you find the right clinic - the right specialist.
There are several clinics and specialized specialists in Switzerland that focus on the diagnosis and treatment of lipoedema. Centers for plastic and aesthetic surgery as well as angiology or lymphology are the first port of call.Many specialists and clinics that specialize in plastic and aesthetic surgery offer liposuction for lipoedema treatment. It is important to find a surgeon who has proven experience with the clinical picture of lipoedema, as these procedures differ from purely aesthetic liposuction.
We work closely with such clinics. We can help you find the best clinic for the treatment of your lipoedema.
Below we present a partner clinic:
Hirslanden Private Hospital Group
Boulevard Lilienthal 2, CH-8152 Glattpark
Largest private medical network in Switzerland
The Hirslanden Private Hospital Group is the largest medical network in Switzerland and offers a wide range of first-class medical services.
Cost of liposuction in Switzerland
The prices for liposuction for lipoedema in Switzerland are generally within a broad range, as the treatment is often carried out in several sessions on different areas of the body.
| Liposuction | Costs / session |
|---|---|
| Approx. minimum | approx. CHF 4,500 / session |
| Approx. maximun | CHF 14,000 / session |
These are approximate figures.
We will be happy to ensure that you receive a customized offer from one of our partner clinics.
Factors that influence the price
Scope of treatment
The number and size of the body regions to be treated (e.g. thighs, calves, hips).
Amount of fat to be suctioned off
The larger the volume of abnormal fatty tissue, the more complex and longer the procedure.
Method used Different techniques such as water-jet assisted liposuction (WAL) can result in different costs.
Type of anesthesia
A general anesthetic is usually more expensive than a local anesthetic or twilight sleep.
Additional interventions
If a skin tightening or other procedures are carried out at the same time, the total cost increases.
Medical treatment in Switzerland - with certainty!
Switzerland is the ideal place for your medical treatment for a variety of reasons.
- Discretion
- Quality in diagnostics and therapy
- Quality of training for medical staff
- Apparative equipment
- Control systems (e.g. minimum quantity agreements) to protect patients and ensure high quality
Get in touch with us - we look forward to hearing from you!
Do you have any questions? Would you like to arrange a personal meeting with us? Then send us a message. We will get in touch with you as soon as possible.