Lipedema patients can experience a variety of symptoms that affect their daily living. While there is no cure for lipedema, there are many different ways that a person can manage symptoms. These options include:
Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage
This is a form of gentle massage that stimulates the movement of lymph fluid in the body. This massage can encourage lymph fluid to drain from blocked areas into healthy vessels in the body, reducing the risk of scarring and increasing blood flow to the area. Overall, this may help with pain reduction.
Compression Therapy
Compression therapy may also help to manage lipedema for some patients. Stretchy bandages or compression garments can be used to increase pressure on the tissues inside the swollen limbs. Overall, this may reduce the chances of more fluid build-up and can reduce the swelling on swollen legs and arms. This can help alleviate lipedema symptoms including pain or discomfort caused by the blocked lymphatic system and can relieve symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency.
A different kind of compression, lower legs non-elastic wraps, often reduce the swelling by squeezing the swollen tissue during ambulation.
Pneumatic Compression Pump
Lymphedema pneumatic compression pump can be effective in the treatment of leg swelling. By intermittent compressions, it pushes the swelling up through the lymphatic channels. If legs sleeves are not effective, a torso component can be added.
Lymph Sparing Liposuction
A gentle technique of liposuction is a very effective treatment option for lipedema. It is indicated for patients who exhausted the merits of conservative treatment. It works by removing the lipedema fat while sparing the lymphatic vessels. At First State Lipedema, we use Water-Jet Assisted Liposuction (WAL). During this process, the surgeon will use physiologic water (like normal saline) as a pulsating jet that releases the adipose tissue for liposuction. The excess fat is simultaneously sucked away from your affected limbs. This treatment is very effective in the treatment of Lipedema symptoms, primarily skin pain and tenderness, reducing the weight of the legs and improving mobility. When done on your arms, it provides a relief of the early arm fatigue.
Dr. Shapira specializes in Water-Jet Assisted Liposuction. This is the most effective and the safest technique for surgical treatment for Lipedema at this time. Without treatment, Lipedema will continue to progress. Dr. Shapira was trained by renowned Lipedema treatment surgeon and one of the pioneers of Water-Jet Assisted Liposuction, Dr. Josef Stutz, from Schwarzenbach Am Wald, Germany.
Contact Us Today
If you are interested in learning more about our lipedema treatments and how they can benefit you, contact First State Lipedema today. We will be happy to schedule your consultation with Dr. Shapira.
