The following is in the conclusion of Dr Bertsch’s four-part series on Lipedema Myths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bertsch T et al. Lipedema \u2013 Myths … Phlebologie 2019; 48: 47\u201356 47<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some of the criteria below have not been well-defined. There is no international standard or US standard for performing liposuction for lipedema. One does not need to even be a surgeon. After spending hundreds of hours researching the topic I feel the author’s view to be conservative but valid (they are saying that liposuction should be an option for select patients under strict circumstances). As a patient if you meet the criteria below you have the best argument for your case to be accepted as reconstructive and medically necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Criteria concerning the lipedema patient:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. Pain in soft tissue\nmust have persisted despite conservative treatment that has been carried out\nfor at least 6 months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Liposuction must be\nincorporated into a comprehensive therapeutic concept that also considers\npsychological, psychosocial, dietary and sports medicine aspects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. In the case of obese patients with lipedema,\nthen of the two diseases, obesity must not predominate. In our view, this would\nbe the case if the BMI of 32 kg\/m2 named in the lipedema guidelines was\nexceeded. Exceptions to this should be justified. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. In order to reduce\nthe risk of a postoperative weight increase (that would negate the improvement\nachieved through liposuction), proof is needed that the weight has been largely\nstable for at least 2 years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. A preoperative\npsychological assessment by trained professionals must have been conducted to\nexclude eating disorders or severe psychological diseases that would stand in\nthe way of a permanently successful treatment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Criteria concerning the surgeon: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. Definition of\nquality standards that the surgeon must meet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Certification to\nensure this quality standard \u2013 similar to that which also exists for surgeons\ncarrying out bariatric-metabolic operations. The patient would then have the\npossibility of finding a surgeon who meets the defined quality criteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n CONCLUSIONS We believe that selection of suitable patients as well the incorporation of liposuction into a holistic treatment concept is decisive for the success of liposuction. This concept should take into account the entire range of symptoms of the patient with lipedema: the pain as well as problems of self-acceptance, any psychological diseases and the problem of weight gain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The complete article on liposuction for lipedema is below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The following is in the conclusion of Dr Bertsch’s four-part series on Lipedema Myths. Bertsch T et al. Lipedema \u2013 Myths … Phlebologie 2019; 48: 47\u201356 47 Some of the criteria below have not been well-defined. There is no international standard or US standard for performing liposuction for lipedema. One… Continue reading