LIPOEDEMA TREATMENT WITH PROF. NOAH IN KASSEL
Lipedema is a distressing disease and often affected women are not taken seriously with their condition. It is a chronic, usually progressive disorder of fat distribution in the body. Regardless of diet and exercise, fatty tissue is stored excessively in typical locations. This can cause an unpleasant feeling of tension and can be very painful when pressure is applied or simply touched.
Go to permanent relief of the symptoms we can help you with a surgical reduction by means of liposuction of the fat tissue.
A consultation with a patient:
Why go to the Noah Clinic in Kassel?
- Prof. Noah is ex-president of the Association of German Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (VDÄPC)
- German Member of Parliament of ISAPS
- Above-average experience and high patient satisfaction
- Included several times in the Focus list of medical experts
- 25 years of experience as a plastic aesthetic surgeon
We look forward to meeting you and advising you on your lipedema therapy!
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Prof. Dr. med. Ernst Magnus Noah is a specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery in Kassel. Prof. Noah has already been president of the VDÄPC - (Association of German Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons). Before setting up his own practice, he was the head physician of a clinic department for plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery for many years. Use our extensive experience.
Get to know us and our clinic in the north of Hesse. Even if you come from Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Thuringia or Saxony-Anhalt or from other federal states - we have years of experience and extensive knowledge!
What is lipedema?
Lipedema is an increase in subcutaneous fat tissue. It usually occurs in women symmetrically on the hips, buttocks, both legs and arms. It is typical that the feet and hands are not affected.
According to the S1 Guideline for the treatment & diagnosis of lipedema other designations are also used:
- Lipomatosis dolorosa
- Lipohypertrophia dolorosa
- Adipositas dolorosa
- Lipalgia
- Adiposalgia
- Painful columnar bone
- painful lipedema syndrome
- Lipohyperplasia dolorosa
What are the causes of lipedema?
Overweight and obesity are often mistakenly assumed to be the cause.
The exact causes for the development of the chronic disease lipedema are not clear. Since it occurs predominantly in women, it is assumed that female hormones can be a cause for the disease. Since the occurrence can often be observed in the context of hormonal changes (e.g. puberty, pregnancy, etc.), this hypothesis is supported.
It is also known that in addition to the enlargement of the fat cells, the blood capillaries become more permeable. This can cause fluid to accumulate in the tissue, which leads to increased pressure in the subcutaneous fatty tissue. Affected persons perceive this as a feeling of tension or pain.
A genetic, familial predisposition can also be the cause of the development.
In men, lipoedema-like changes can occur with hormonal therapies or pronounced hormonal disorders or liver cirrhosis. However, it is extremely rare.
What are the symptoms?
Different lipedema symptoms can occur with lipedema:
- Pressure pain in affected regions
- Swollen legs (often when sitting / standing)
- Orange peel skin / Cellulite
- Increased or intensified sensitivity to touch
- Increased tendency to form bruises
- Feeling of heaviness in the affected areas of the body
- Increased water retention in the regions (so-called oedema)
In addition to these typical symptoms, other problems (e.g. increased joint wear, etc.) can occur in the long term.
How is lipedema diagnosed?
The basic diagnosis of lipedema is usually made by taking a history of the disease (anamnesis), appropriate assessment by the specialist in conjunction with palpation of the corresponding regions.
Diagnostic imaging techniques
A CT and MRI can localise the corresponding fat increases relatively precisely. The doctor can also see the extent to which you have them.
Sonography (ultrasound examination) can also provide information on the aspects of expression.
Who conducts the investigation to determine this?
As a rule, the finding or diagnosis is carried out by a doctor competent in lymphology (for the List of Members Professional Association of Lymphologists e. V. or Lipedema Society).
What is the difference between lipedema and lymphoedema?
Lipoedema is caused by too much fatty tissue - lymphoedema is caused by a disturbance of the functions in the lymphatic channels. Since the cause of the two diseases is different, the corresponding therapy is also different - even if the symptoms are similar.
How can lipedema be treated?
There are different forms of therapy for the treatment of lipedema.
Conservative therapy
There are several options available as conservative treatments (non-surgical treatments):
- Manual lymphatic drainage:
The lymphatic drainage is stimulated by gentle massage and the accumulated proteins and fatty acids are mobilised and transported away. Unfortunately, the effect is usually not permanent. - Compression therapy:
By consistently wearing compression stockings, swelling caused by standing for long periods of time can be somewhat reduced. Unfortunately, wearing the tight compression trousers is often painful and not tolerated by those affected. - Complex physical decongestive therapy:
This combines lymphatic massage with compression treatment through firm bandaging of the extremities and targeted gymnastic movement exercises. This forces the water out of the legs, which leads to a temporary improvement. Since the basic problem is not treated, this method does not bring about a lasting improvement.
- Manual lymphatic drainage:
Surgical therapy
For permanent relief of the symptoms, surgical reduction of the fatty tissue has proven successful. Here, the affected fat pads are reduced by means of liposuction.
At the Noah Clinic we have many years of experience with liposuction and perform it in all regions of the body. Especially for lipoedema, we use the gentle water jet technique, in some cases also vibration treatment - extended by radio frequency and plasma lifting.
Procedure of the lipedema operation with us in Kassel
The Surgical therapy of lipedema by means of liposuction is the recommended treatment of the Society of Phlebology.
The fatty tissue is greatly reduced by the gentle water jet liposuction. Large amounts of suction are usually required for lipedema. Since it is possible to remove much more fat in one operation under general anaesthesia than under local anaesthesia (up to 8 litres of fat), we prefer this procedure. The treatment takes 2-3 hours depending on the amount of reduction.
However, several operations are almost always necessary for successful treatment. For the weeks after the operation, it is important to have consistent follow-up treatment with compression garments.
Immediately after the liposuction procedure, slight pain and bruising can be expected. Both will disappear within days to weeks.
Swelling of the affected areas is also completely normal and will disappear over time. You can usually return to your normal daily routine after five to seven days. The skin incisions leave small scars that fade over time and will hardly be recognisable.
Summary
There are many different options for treating your lipedema. Surgical lipedema therapy in our clinic can help to permanently reduce discomfort in the affected areas of the body.
Our experienced specialist for plastic and aesthetic surgery will be happy to advise you personally about your options. Take advantage of our many years of experience for your planned procedure!
We look forward to your visit to our practice in Kassel.