Do I have lipedema? Are there any specialists in NYC for this? (Photo)

Question

Hi, I have always gained weight in my lower body, and I tend to keep it there no matter how much dieting and exercising. My legs do tend to swell often as the day goes on. My torso seems to always stays pretty small but legs/saddlebags just keep getting bigger, and in recent years I've started gaining a little fat in the upper arms, too. I'm researching doing Smart-Lipo to even out my lower body, and curious to find DR's near the NY area that are experienced with lipedema patients.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

yes you do have lipedema but you need more than just liposuction. you will need lifting of your thighs and heating of the inner and outerthighs with renuvion and/or body tite. you need to see an expert as this is something very specialized.  liposuction alone will make you sag more and drop your buttock.

my whole practice is doing lipoabdominoplasty/lipo-skinremoval, or at least liposuction with internal heating (which is not the gold standard for skin tightening with body contouring).

You need a formal evaluation by an expert in body shaping and contouring to determine what is best.  Traditional liposuction awake and smart liposuction are old methods and do very poorly for tightening skin or significant skin tightening or contouring.  Small problem areas can be improved slightly by these methods.  The best in body contouring not only removes fat with energy devices like VASER ultrasound but also internally heat the skin with radio-frequency devices such as J PLASMA/RENUVION, InMode BodyTite, ThermiRF to heat the under surface of the skin and tighten it at the same time as fat removal. These combinations are called 4D HIDEF VASER contouring and can only be done by a well . trained body contouring specialist. At the same time fat should be harvested, PRP and stem cells added and injected into muscles or indentations/cellulite to get body shaping and contouring.  This is known as a Brazilian butt lift when you inject the fat to the buttock for contouring and lifting, but fat can also be used in areas such as the chest/breast, arms/shoulders, calves and face.  Cellulite should also be treated with cellfina, sculptra, subcision and/or fillers such as bellafill, renuva synthetic fat, or sculptra.  If skin is very loose before surgery then it will need to be removed such as lower abdominal skin (tummy tuck/abdominoplasty), breast skin (breast lift), arm skin (brachioplasty).  Overall you need a full assessment, but simple liposuction alone will not tighten skin and needs a combination of various methods -- fat removal, skin tightening, defining, fat grafting, skin removal -- to get the best in body contouring and body sculpting.  Dr. Emer.

Thomas Wright, MD · Answer

Lipedema is an subcutaneous adipose tissue disease that causes disproportionate accumulation in the extremities. The subcutaneous tissue is characterized by a nodular feeling and is painful or tender.  There are signs of inflammation in the tissue, which is why the adipose tissue is relatively resistant to weight loss. The only way to know for sure if you have lipedema is to have a clinical evaluation with a physician experienced the physical diagnosis of lipedema.  I don't know any doctor in the NYC area that are specialized in the treatment of lipedema.  We do see people at my clinic from the NYC area.  Wishing you the best of health.

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

I appreciate your concerns and frustrations, however physical examination would be needed to confirm your diagnosis. Lipedema and lipodystrophy are commonly used interchangeably, which is incorrect. Lipedema Is symmetrical deposits of fat beneath the skin which is usually genetic and usually associated with pain. Lipodystrophy, is much more common,  and associated with areas of well defined fat unresponsive to diet and exercise. Liposuction is extremely effective in treating lipodystrophy and modestly effective in treating lipedema because swelling is also a trait of this syndrome.
Traditional liposuction is still the gold standard, as other sexier sounding  machines are no more effective and in many cases, result in worse results. The most important aspect of a liposuction procedure is the expertise and experience of the board-certified plastic surgeon using the machine. Consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon in our area to explore the best options for you. Good luck.

Boris Volshteyn, MD, MS · Answer

Few surgeons treat lipedema in the tri-state area, myself included. I strongly oppose smart-lipo and other laser devices on lipedema patients because they can fry lymphatic vessels and potentially worsen things. Many non-lipedema surgeons promote smart Lipo for skin tightening. However, I am not very excited about using them on patients with lipedema because of the risk of lifelong possible severe complications.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

I do not think you warrants the diagnosis of lipedema.

Some people simply have a more bottom heavy fat distribution.

Liposuction and avoiding weight fluctuations is the best treatment.

There are no experts other than those who do a lot of liposuction in this condition. The condition cannot be diagnosed other than by exclusion.

Lower extremity Liposuction can be technically challenging and does not always deliver the type of results patients had anticipated.

This is especially true for the upper inner thigh and the posterior aspect of the outer thigh.

I suggest having multiple consultations with board-certified plastic surgeons in your area.

Rather than trying to find somebody who claims to be an expert and lipedema you’re much better off finding the most talented Liposuction surgeon in your area.

What do you want is to find a board-certified plastic surgeon who has the most experience and skill for lower extremity Liposuction with a proven track record.  This means during inpatient consultations they should be able to pull out high numbers of before and after pictures.

An experienced surgeon should be able to easily demonstrate 50 before and after pictures.

Be aware that not all lower extremity Liposuction results even with the procedure is done correctly show impressive results on pictures.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

Do I have lipedema? Are there any specialists in NYC for this? (Photo)

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Do I have lipedema? Are there any specialists in NYC for this? (Photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: Lipedema surgeons in New York area.

Answer: Lipedema surgeons in New York area.

Answer: Questioning lipedema

Answer: Questioning lipedema

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Lipedema Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.