The typical symptoms, which usually experience an initial surge from puberty onwards, include slim waist but ample thighs, painful saddlebags, padding in the inner thigh area, columnar legs up to the upper ankle joint. The feet, however, are slender and completely inconspicuous, without swelling or fat deposits. In more than 90 percent of lipedema patients, the arms are also affected by the symptomatic, disproportionate fat deposits.  

Lipedema (lipohyperplasia dolorosa) and the associated pain are as clinically distinct as each woman is different. The intensity of the pain is independent of weight or stage - even slim female patients can suffer from severe symptoms.

For the permanent treatment of lipedema, CG LYMPHA offers the gentle liposuction by means of lymphological liposculpture. This treatment technique was developed by Prof. Cornely more than 20 years ago and is particularly gentle on the surrounding vessels.
By removing the fatty tissue (liposuction), the balance between lymph production and lymph drainage is restored. As a result, besides the reduction of the circumference, an excellent lymph flow is reactivated, which leads to your freedom from complaints! Surgical fat removal in lipedema is performed for purely medical reasons. Therefore, the treatment should not be confused with plastic or cosmetic procedures.

Before the suction, you will be injected with a tumescent solution in the operating room. This softens the fatty tissue with a locally anesthetic liquid (TLA – tumescent local anesthesia) and, after a soaking phase, the fat is suctioned with the vibrating cannulas. Special advantages of TLA: low-risk technique, less postoperative pain and most importantly: maximum protection of the fragile lymphatic vessels. Immediately following the procedure, intensive conservative therapy is given for four weeks.

The symptom is a swelling of the affected body region: if you press on the swollen tissue, a dent forms. Affected persons often first become aware of a swelling because clothing, jewelry or shoes are suddenly tight and uncomfortable. The swelling usually still feels relatively soft. It does not necessarily occur on the same side; in breast cancer patients, for example, only the arm on the treated side is affected. Feeling of heaviness, pressure and tension: The skin on the affected areas of the body is firm and tense. Arms or legs in particular often feel heavy.

If lipedema or lymphedema is correctly diagnosed, conservative therapy helps to improve lymph flow. For this purpose, manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is used, in which the hands of the physiotherapist direct the flow of lymph from the body tissues into the lymphatic channels. This therapy always begins in the region of the collarbones, is continued with a central decongestion on the body stem and ends at the extremities.

The aim of drainage treatment in lipedema patients is to remove the pressure pain from the fatty tissue of the lipedematous arms and legs. However, circumferential improvement or even fat reduction is not possible. Manual lymphatic drainage for lipedema can be performed with a duration of 60 minutes up to 3 times a week.

Manual lymphatic drainage is also important for lymphedema to alleviate symptoms with a duration of 60 minutes up to 3 times a week. In addition, temporary inpatient treatment with intensive conservative therapy can be helpful for patients with lymphedema.

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