LIPEDEMA
Regardless of the stage, a healthy diet and regular physical activity make sense. Aqua jogging, swimming and aqua cycling help you to protect your joints and to decongest the tissue. Manual lymph drainage and compression stockings also often relieve symptoms, but none of these methods can completely prevent the progression of the disease.
Lipedema is not an inherited disease, but current research suggests a higher familial incidence.
SURGERY
You will receive sterile adhesive plasters on the incisions as well as protective plasters. The wound edges can easily heal without sutures.
Overall, liposuction is a low-risk procedure for healthy patients. Further diagnoses and tobacco consumption can individually increase the risk of complications. The detailed explanation of the risks and complications takes place in a personal conversation. Further information on possible complications and risks of liposuction can be found here: https://lipödemzentrum.de/komplikation/
Not necessarily. In our experience, patients are more likely to opt for general anesthesia, as it makes the entire procedure more relaxed. Worldwide, there is a clear trend towards surgery under general anesthesia.
Depending on the characteristics, 1-5 surgeries may be necessary. In the early stages, 1-2 sessions are usually sufficient, while advanced cases require five or more surgeries. But even after just one liposuction, all patients without exception have been overwhelmed by the improvement in their quality of life.
The surgery duration depends on the clinical picture and is approx. 2-3 hours.
The subcutaneous fatty tissue is infiltrated and loosened with a jet of water through an infiltration cannula with a special solution. The solution ensures that the fatty tissue is loosened and the smaller vessels contract, so that blood loss is reduced as much as possible. The suction then takes place with gentle movements of the cannula along the anatomical structures. We pay meticulous attention to protecting the blood and lymph vessels.
After liposuction, you will usually spend one night on one of our wards and receive extensive care with assistance, especially with regard to personal hygiene and the initial handling of compression garments, so that you can concentrate fully on your recovery. In the case of extensive suction, the inpatient stay can be longer.
COST
At the moment, the treatment of lipedema stages 1 and 2 is not yet covered by statutory health insurance, which means that the patients usually have to carry the cost themselves. The costs are calculated according to the fee schedule for doctors (GOÄ). Our cost estimates include costs of surgery, anesthesia, inpatient stay, surgery and treatment fees, pre- and post-surgery treatment, compression corset and a follow-up insurance that covers possible costs in the event of complications. If the surgery is carried out as a self-pay service, 19% VAT is added. According to a decision by the Federal Joint Committee of September 19, 2019, liposuction for lipedema stage 3 will be covered by statutory health insurance, provided the requirements (conservative therapy without significant success for six months, weight under 120 kg and BMI under 35) are met.
CONTACT
On MO-FR, you can contact the secretarial office. On public holidays, weekends or in the evenings, a team of doctors from the University Gynecology Clinic is available while our team is on call.
You can reach the Gynecology Clinic switchboard around the clock on +228 287 15450
Our secretarial office and our outpatient rooms are located on the first floor of the University dermatology Clinic. Here you will also get to know our highly committed team, who will look after you throughout your treatment, from initial consultation to surgery to follow-up care.
You can reach our secretarial office at +228/96 96 888 or +228 / 287-11250. Despite modern telephone systems, our lines may be busy every now and then as all of our employees may be talking to other patients. In that case, please do not hesitate to leave us a message on the answering machine. We will call you back as soon as possible. You also have the option of emailing your request to info@plastische-chirurgie.eu or sending us a WhatsApp message on +151 18895548.
AFTERCARE
Initially, you will see extensive bruising and swelling in the treated areas. All of these postoperative symptoms should gradually subside within the first 4-6 weeks. The contour of the treated extremities will change, and the retraction force of the skin is in most cases excellent. In pronounced cases with clearly overstretched skin, excess skin can be stressful. A tightening operation is possible after the wound has completely healed. Let us advise you on this.
If the liposuction is approved by the statutory health insurance, you will receive a certificate of incapacity for work for 5-7 days. In the case of a self-payer service no certificate can be issued. We recommend taking around two weeks off.
You can come and see us at any time if necessary. A regular appointment for follow-up takes place 14 days after surgery.
On MO-FR, you can contact the secretarial office. On public holidays, weekends or in the evenings, a team of doctors from the University Gynecology Clinic is available while our team is on call.
No. Only the adhesive plasters are removed 14 days postoperatively.
Physical rest should be observed for 3-4 weeks postoperatively. You can then gradually resume your sporting activities.
