This is my second lipedema surgery performed by Dr. Su. My first was 360 knees, calves and ankles in August 2023. I had an outstanding experience and as you can see from my review at that time, planned to return for my thighs and hips. I had thigh and hip lipedema surgery on May 1, 2025 and like the last time, my experience was outstanding and my results are exceptional. For the background on my experience with liposuction and Cool Sculp pre-Dr. Su, please read my previous review. I'll get right down to business with my second experience. Because my thighs were a mess from previous experiences, Dr. Su had quite a project to work on with me. As with the previous surgery, after I was thoroughly cleaned and prepped, Dr. Su spent time talking to me about the procedure, we reviewed the potential results while looking in the mirror, and discussed areas that would be improved but may still have some aesthetic issues post-op (because Dr. Su is not a magician). Throughout the procedure Dr. Su and Tara took exceptional care of me making sure I was comfortable, always concerned about pain I may be experiencing, and really working hard to make sure I got the best possible outcome from the surgery. When one side was complete, Dr. Su had me stand and look in the mirror to see if I was satisfied. He saw a few small areas he wanted to touch up, and then had me check again. DR. SU REALLY DOES CARE ABOUT YOUR HAPPINESS AND AESTHETICS. We took a quick break so that I could use the bathroom, and Tara gave me a light snack and drink. To my delight, Raechelle and Olga stopped in to welcome me back, to admire the outcome of my calf/knee/ankle surgery and just made small talk. It was a very nice way to spend the time while I replenished my fuel for the second side. Dr. Su and his team are just genuinely thoughtful and nice people. While doing my second side, I talked to Dr. Su about the paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH) that I experienced from Cool Sculpting. I had a large, extremely dense, PAH lump on my right hip. You could see it through jeans! No tucking or waist length shirts for me. They all had to cover my hips. I measured the PAH lump with digital calipers. It was 2.25" high, 6.75" long and projected outward from my body by 3.00" inches. Dr. Su removed it as part of my surgery. Dr. Su really had to work to remove it. I could tell he struggled to tear through the fibers and work the location repeatedly to clear it, and yet I had no pain or discomfort of any type. I showed Dr. Su that I also had two large PAH lumps at my bra line. They were so large that they were disfiguring. I could only wear very drapey/flowy shirts or the large lumps would be visible. They did not look like typical bra bulge, they were much different. Like the PAH lump on my hip, they were extremely dense. My right PAH lump was 3.5" high, 6.5" long and projected outward from my body about 4.5". My left side was 3.25" high, 6.75" long and projected outward from my body about 4.75". They seem to mirror in size the paddles used when I had that area Cool Sculpted. I told Dr. Su that I was planning to return to have those removed. He looked at them and said, "These must be almost impossible to hide. This is unacceptable. Let's take care of these for you today so that you don't have to make another trip here with all of the expenses." The offer to help me speaks volumes about the kindness and ethics of Dr. Su. Dr. Su worked his butt off removing those two large and extremely dense lumps. I worried that area would be more sensitive than my legs but in fact, it was less sensitive. I am nine weeks post-procedure. Recovery from my thighs and hips was a piece of cake compared to my knees and calves. The first few days with drains are the most uncomfortable, but not debilitating. After travelling all day, when I got home on May 2, 2025, I did two loads of laundry, vacuumed and took my small dog for a walk. Just like with my first surgery, I did not need controlled substance pain medications. Two Tylenols did the trick. Did I still have discomfort? Of course. Could I manage it without drugging myself? Of course. By the end of week two, I was moving about fairly normally. Still had discomfort, but the level dropped by at least 75%. By week four I had to remind myself that I was still healing. At week nine, I still have some sensitive (not painful...like a mild bruise that you forgot you had until you lean on it the wrong way) and numb areas, and this improves daily. I went back to the gym at week five and resumed spinning and upper body free weight training. At week six I resumed running (slower and short distance), and some light lower body weight training. From week seven on I've pretty much returned to my normal activities including karate. I had such little discomfort in the area under my bra line that had the two large PAH bulges, that I often forgot I had it done. When I had the lipedema fat removed from knees, calves and ankles, I was stunned at how much lighter my legs felt. I still look down at my legs and can't believe they are mine. All of my athletic activities improved significantly. Running faster for longer periods of time with very little leg fatigue. Now, after having my thighs done, I feel like I've lost 50 lbs from my lower half. That's how much of a difference this surgery has made. When I move around, it almost feels like I am floating, my legs feel weightless. I didn't realize how heavy my legs felt. My hips healed nicely and I had very little discomfort post-procedure. Regarding the bra line PAH bulges. I didn't realize how heavy they were until immediately after they were removed. Dr. Su had me look in the mirror and upon standing it felt like someone removed five pounds from each side. My upper body immediately felt lighter and more fluid as if the PAH was restricting my movements. Every day when I put on a shirt without having to consider those bulges I send a silent thank you to Dr. Su. These surgeries have been life changing in ways I never imagined. If you suffer from lipedema, please, do yourself a favor and see Dr. Su. There is no one better than him. Lipedema cannot be managed any other way. No diets or exercise will help. No massages or creams will help. Cryolipolysis will not help. In my opinion cryolipolysis (freezing fat) should be contraindicated for lipedema fat. In my experience, it makes matters worse. I fought this horrible disease for years, tried everything, and only Dr. Su and his commitment to treating this disease helped. I've read some reviews with patients complain that Dr. Su isn't friendly enough and some have called him a narcissist while acknowledging his exceptional work. I have been a healthcare provider for close to 30 years. I work directly with surgeons every day at one of the most elite medical centers in the country. If you don't know this, surgeons develop a very specific communication style that I call the "Bottom line me so that we can get down to the business of helping you" style. They are trained to make quick and vital decisions necessitating the rapid processing and sharing of information with their team and patients. In other words, their directness in giving and receiving information can sometimes be misinterpreted as abrupt or uncaring, but in truth, they are trying to give and receive the information that is most important to the task at hand so that they can do the best job for you. As such, many surgeons don't give off a warm and fuzzy vibe, but believe me, on the inside, the warm and fuzzy is there and they truly care about you. If you move past expectations of being babied and coddled during surgery, and you disabuse yourself of the unrealistic expectation that surgery and recovery will not be uncomfortable, and instead you pay close attention to the meticulous preparation, the constant questions about your wellbeing and comfort, and the thorough post-procedure process, it is clear that Dr. Su and his entire team truly care about you and want your experience to be the best it could possibly be. Tara was amazing. She was attentive to anything and everything I could possibly need pre-, during and post-procedure. You will not regret being a patient of Dr. Su and the wonderful care team at Artlipo. I wish all lipedema suffers best wishes in their treatment journey.
