Does liposuction for lipedema reduce cellulite or make it worse?

liposuction typically makes cellulite more apparent unless there is internal heating and fat grafting.  In general liposuction is for size and contour, three re other procedures for cellulite.  If you have loose skin it needs to also be removed.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Cellulite and lipedema are different diseases. Cellulite is a very common condition in women with up to 80% of women having some degree of cellulite changes. Lipedema is a subcutaneous adipose tissue disease that causes fibrous nodules in the affected tissue. Treatment of lipedema with liposuction does not affect cellulite changes. Liposuction or more correctly Lipedema Reduction Surgery reduces the number of nodules in the subcutaneous tissue.. It can improve mobility, and decrease pain and swelling. However, it does not affect cellulite changes.

Lipedema liposuction involves the (1) mechanical release of fibrosis and (2) suction of fat with the use of power-assisted liposuction (PAL) devices. Lipedema liposuction generally improves associated cellulite changes, but there are always exceptions and cases where this is not seen. Cellulite occurs when fibrous bands pull the skin down from underneath, creating a "dimpled" appearance. The liposuction cannulas can help release the fibrosis, and therefore "push" the skin back up to improve that dimpled appearance.

Lipedema affects nearly 25 million women in the US. As a board certified plastic surgeon and a board certified lymphedema expert, I manage complex lip edema cases with a combination of liposuction and skin tightening procedures. 
Most cases of lipedema improve with liposuction and fat lipolysis with laser and Coolsculpting. A combination approach is ideal. 
Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Hi and thanks for your question.
Liposuction is widely used for lipedema. It doesn’t effect the cellulites but especially in lipedema patient, skin excess occurs after the liposuction so liposuction should be combined with skin excision.

Dear jor12,
liposuction is a procedure which removes fat from body areas. You might consider Cellfina to reduce the cellulite. Patients are usually satisfied after the treatment (over 90 %). I would suggest you to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon with experience with Cellfina.
Daniel Barrett, MD

Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Liposuction especially in the lower extremities does not help cellulite and can make it worse. I would suggest proceeding with caution, if someone promises great results, be wary. Good luck Stephen M. Davis, MD, FACS
Certified: American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member: American Society for Aesthetics Plastic Surgery
Member: American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Member:RealSelf Hall of Fame 

liposuction will never make skin smoother or improve cellulite.  This is especially true and lower extremities and even more so when high-volume liposuction is done.  What many women want to seek liposuction for their thighs is to get pretty looking legs  This typically does not happen. You can expect size reduction but that's typically as far as it goes.  Others may be more optimistic but I question their motive in doing so.  I'm a board-certified plastic surgeon whos practice has been devoted exclusively to liposuction and fat transfer procedures for the last 10 years. I performed over 7000 liposuction procedures and have seen my fair share of lipedema patients.   I consider myself a true expert in the field of liposuction.  If you would've asked me 10 years ago before I began specializing in this procedure I too would've been more enthusiastic about the outcome of lower extremity liposuction.  Typically the best candidates for thigh liposuction are young women with tight skin.  Best, Mats Hagstrom M.D.