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Are there more risks with Lipo when dealing with VERY mild lipedema? I'm 23 years, 115 lbs, 5'2", active.

KellyW456Nov 11, 2015
I recently learned about lipedema and I believe I have a mild case ●noticible swelling mid-calf to ankle unless wearing tight socks (which doesn't reduce swelling, just relocates it) ●large legs with bulges on the upper thighs and knees and cellulite ●thighs are very tender, painful at times, must have compression on to do anything active ●fat developed in puberty ● weight loss only affects torso ●fat is very firm Are there more risk when performing lipo on a patient with lipedema?

Answers (4)

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Dr. Sheila S. Nazarian, MD
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Dr. Sheila S. Nazarian, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
4.8 | 89 Reviews
Answered on Nov 19, 2015
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Dr. Jason Emer, MD
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Dr. Jason Emer, MD
Dermatologic Surgeon, Board Certified in Dermatology
4.7 | 522 Reviews
Answered on Nov 13, 2015
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Dr. John L. Burns Jr., MD
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Dr. John L. Burns Jr., MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
4.7 | 207 Reviews
Answered on Nov 13, 2015
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Dr. Brenda Pache, MD
Dr. Brenda Pache, MD
Plastic Surgeon
Answered on Nov 12, 2015
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Sheila S. Nazarian, MD

Juicing is not an issue with liposuction. Continue your healthy eating. Just don't crash diet. You want to be in good health before your surgery. It will help with healing. Best, Dr. Nazarian

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David Amron, MD

Hello There!  Thank you for writing this question.  Many physicians have not heard of lipedema.  It is classically overlooked as obesity and does not respond to diet and exercise as you may have experienced.  In my experience, treating many patients with Lipedema by...

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David Amron, MD

Lipedema is definitely a very real condition and a disease, but sadly it is not recognized by most, if not all, of the insurance carriers. It still amazes me that gastric bypass surgery is now covered by insurance, but lipedema surgery is still commonly not covered. Hopefully in the future tha...

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Jason Emer, MD

There is a Doctor Karen Herbst who is the world's expert in lipedema and who you should see her for diagnosis.  As for liposuction, which is the only permanent treatment, there are only a few training in water assisted liposuction and who do many lipedema patients. I suggest only seeing a...

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Thomas Wright, MD

Insurance coverage for lipedema. That is a really tough question to answer. The medical necessity criteria are complicated and some insurance companies make it very difficult to obtain coverage.  There 4 main national carriers [Aetna, BC/BS, Cigna and UHC].They all sell options that have general...

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Jason Emer, MD

The best treatment to permanently treat lipedema is liposuction and this can be done in a variety of ways.  Water assisted liposuction is very gentle and considered a gold standards approach, but what matters the most is the physician performing the procedure, and their familiarity with...

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