Lipedema is a disease in which fatty tissue is distributed unevenly in the body, and it occurs mostly in women, causing severe discomfort. However, lipedema as a disease exists and its effects are felt yet it is rare to be diagnosed and understood. Lipedema surgery is a way for many with this condition to find some respite from the day to day experiences of the disease. This article traces the process of people seeking lipedema surgical procedure, from time of diagnosis, through surgery to treatment and recovery, and illustrates the general themes of this treatment.

Lipedema

Lipedema is a painful and chronic disease, which is characterized by a pathological distribution of adipose tissue in the lower extremities and trunk, the hips, thighs, and lower legs. Lipedema fat is the fat that is abnormal in its properties and Its persistent and does not reduce or shift with diet and exercise as other fats do, and can result in pain, swelling, and altered mobility. The condition is known to develop during puberty or pregnancy and the status of pregnancy can worsen the condition. Lipedema remains a poorly understood condition and many people suffer a long and arduous process before being accurately diagnosed. The condition is often mistaken for being obese or lymphatic system problem and people may not seek appropriate treatment. Lipedema education is important in this aspect since it will enable many people to get the correct diagnosis of the condition.

Timing of Decisions to Have Surgery

Lipedema as surgical intervention is looked at when all other treatments like the use of compression and changes in the lifestyle are not effective. Lipedema surgery or liposuction targets at excising out the lipedematous fat and trying to get rid of the deformity and achieve a better body figure. Different people may decide to undergo lipedema surgery differently depending on the severity of symptoms, the effect on daily activities or simply if they never liked the appearance of their legs. Preoperatively, people should be frank with their doctors regarding their expectations of the surgery.  

Preparing for Lipedema Surgery 

Lipedema surgery preparation has several processes that have to be met for the best result to be achieved. Conservative or liposuction surgery should not be undertaken lightly, therefore it is advisable that the client consult a qualified surgeon to go over details of the procedure, possible complications and the outcomes that are anticipated. In this case, a patient may be given a physiological check up, a health history interview, and establish his or her interests and issues for concern. Patients are also made to understand what they should expect to do and what should be expected after surgery: preparations for after surgery care, adjustments that will need to be made and what should reasonably be expected. One should be psychologically and physically ready for some of the changes that accompany this aspect of life and also should have someone who will come in handy when it comes to the time of recovery.  

The Surgical Procedure  

Lipedema surgery generally requires the use of the liposuction technique referred to as tumescent liposuction. This technique is applied by using an aqueous solution of local anesthetic with a dilute solution to avoid causing pain and inflammation in the area of operation. Excessive fat is then removed by the surgeon and the process is done in a manner that will allow the surgeon to retain the shape of the surrounding skin. This surgery is normally done under local anesthesia whereby the patient is not detained in the hospital as it is same day surgery. The time that is required for this process depends on how much fat needs to be sucked out and what areas require it.  

Recovery and Aftercare 

The recovery period after lipedema surgery is general and may depend on the patients’ physical abilities, but there are some general features of it. After surgery a patient needs to control pain and inflammation and wear special clothes called compression garments according to the surgeon’s recommendations.

Challenges and Considerations

However, lipedema surgery comes with a number of difficulties even though the end results are always encouraging. This coupled with the importance of setting the relatively right expectations means that patients should not expect every aspect of the condition to be solved through the procedures.

Conclusion: Living a New Life

Lipedema surgery is a major particular progress in the lives of those people who face the management of this difficult disease. This gives hope of getting rid of certain physical austerities and helps the individual to be as normal and as confident as before. It takes time, effort and encouragement to get to surgery but the surgery is life changing for most and improves their lives