Liposuction for lipoedema

Lipoedema is far more than just an accumulation of fat – it is a chronic and progressive conditionthat considerably impairs the lives of many women. Those affected often suffer from stabbing pain, sensitivity to pressure and severe restriction of movement, because pathologically altered fat cells accumulate uncontrollably in certain places on the body. As a rule the legs, hips, buttocks and sometimes the arms too are particularly affected.

Many patients report a constant feeling of tightnessthat intensifies over the course of the day. Even light touch or pressure – for instance when sitting or wearing tight clothing – can cause severe pain. In addition, people affected by lipoedema are often surprised by unwanted bruising without having knocked themselves consciously. The reason: the pathological fat cells are not only enlarged but are also accompanied by increased fragility of the blood vessels, which encourages the formation of haematomas.

Book a consultation now

But it is not only the physical pain that is a burden – many women also suffer psychologically from the consequences of the condition. While others can work towards a slim figure with sport and a healthy diet, lipoedema takes hardly any account of lifestyle. Diets and exercise often show no effect or only a minimal one, which can lead to frustration, self-doubt and declining self-confidence . Those affected more often withdraw from social life, avoid tight clothing or activities in which they would have to show their legs or arms.

• Diets do not help – lipoedema is not a consequence of being overweight but a disorder of fat distribution with genetic and hormonal causes.
• Sport often brings no relief – even intensive training cannot dissolve the pathological fat deposits.

Free of pain & comfortable at last

The good news: There is a solution. Medical liposuction is the only proven method of removing the pathological fat cells permanently. It can not only relieve the pain and improve mobility but also harmonise the shape of the body – for a new sense of life full of lightness and well-being.

What is lipoedema?
Causes, symptoms & challenges

Lipoedema is a chronic disorder of fat distributionthat affects almost exclusively women. The exact cause has not yet been fully clarified, but it is assumed that hormonal fluctuations, particularly during puberty, after pregnancies or during the menopause, play a key role. Many doctors assume that genetic factors also play an important role, since lipoedema frequently occurs in clusters within families.

A characteristic feature of the condition is the disproportionate increase in fat, which almost always occurs symmetrically – that is to say that both legs or both arms are affected equally. Unlike with normal excess weight, with lipoedema the fat is deposited preferentially on the thighs, lower legs, hips, buttocks and sometimes the arms , while the upper body often remains slim. This creates an unbalanced body image that many of those affected find a burden.

How do I recognise lipoedema?

Affected women often notice early on that their legs or arms are ‘different’ from other people's. A decisive sign is that despite sport and a conscious diet no reduction of the affected fat deposits is possible. Even when weight is lost overall, the legs and arms remain unchanged or even look still more disproportionate in relation to the rest of the body.

Typical symptoms

• Painful accumulations of fat on the legs, hips or arms – usually symmetrical
• Sensitivity to pressure & pain on touch – even light pressure can trigger discomfort
• Bruising with no recognisable cause – because of the increased fragility of the blood vessels, spontaneous haematomas often arise
• Swelling that increases over the course of the day – often combined with a feeling of ‘heavy legs’
• Disproportions between the upper and lower body – a slim upper body with voluminous legs is typical

Many patients suffer not only from the physical complaints but also from the social stigma. Not infrequently they receive unsolicited advice to ‘simply eat more healthily’ or ‘do more sport’ – a well-meant but unfortunately completely useless tip, since lipoedema cannot be influenced by lifestyle factors. This often leads to an emotional burdenthat can considerably impair self-esteem.

A further problem: Lipoedema is often diagnosed late or not at all. Many of those affected consult doctors over years who wrongly suspect excess weight or lymphoedema. This delays the correct treatment and means that the lipoedema can get worse. Because in later stages lipoedema can develop into lipo-lymphoedema – a particularly burdensome combination of pathological increase in fat and lymphatic congestion that further restricts mobility.

The good news:
Targeted treatment is possible!

Medical liposuction can contribute to relieving the symptoms and considerably improving quality of life. Through the removal of the pathological fat cells not only is the pain reduced but the progression of the condition is also slowed or even stopped. After the liposuction many patients report a completely new feeling in their body – they can once again stand for longer, walk free of pain and enjoy their lives without restrictions.

Lipoedema is a condition to be taken seriously that not only influences the outward appearance but is also accompanied by considerable health complaints. The earlier the diagnosis is made and a liposuction is carried out, the better pain and restricted movement can be prevented.

Why is liposuction the only effective solution?

Many patients who suffer from lipoedema have already tried countless methods of relieving their complaints: strict diets, intensive training, lymphatic drainage or compression garments. But the frustrating effect remains: The lipoedema fat does not disappear.

Why? Because lipoedema is not a normal accumulation of fat . While normal fat can be reduced through a calorie deficit, the pathological lipoedema fat cells are resistant to every form of conventional fat burning. That means that even with substantial weight loss the rest of the body becomes slimmer, while the zones affected by lipoedema remain unchanged – or in relative terms stand out even more strongly.

That is why sport & diets do not help:

• Lipoedema is a pathological change in the fatty tissue, not a consequence of excess weight.
• Even with a large calorie deficit the affected fat deposits do not disappear.
• Excessive training can even be counterproductive, because it leads to increased pain.

A further problem is that many women receive a correct diagnosis only late . Often they are wrongly told that they simply have to ‘be more disciplined’ or ‘adjust their diet’. Such statements lead only to frustration, uncertainty and in the worst case to eating disorders or excessive exercise behaviour, without anything changing about the actual complaints.

While conventional measures can relieve the symptoms at most for a short time, liposuction for lipoedema offers the only lasting solution. Through the surgical procedure the pathological fat cells are removed in a targeted way – and permanently.

Liposuction: no fear of the yo-yo effect!

Many women fear that after the operation the lipoedema will simply come back. The good news: Fat cells that have once been removed do not grow back. While with a normal diet the fat cells merely become smaller (and can fill up again if weight is gained), with a liposuction they are removed from the body completely. That means: The lipoedema cannot reappear in the areas treated.

What advantages does liposuction offer?

✔ Permanent removal of the pathological fat cells
✔ Reduction of pain and improvement of mobility
✔ More harmonious body contours without disproportions
✔ Psychological well-being: more self-confidence & joy in life

Liposuction is not a purely aesthetic operation – it is a medical solution for combating lipoedema and its complaints in the long term.

Your experts for liposuction for lipoedema at the Kuzbari Centre

A liposuction for lipoedema is more than a classic liposuction. The procedure requires a deep understanding of the condition as well as the highest surgical precision in order to remove the pathological fatty tissue in a targeted way without damaging lymph vessels or surrounding tissue.

At the Kuzbari Centre for Aesthetic Medicine in Vienna you are in the best of hands: Dr. Ali Saalabian & Dr. Shawqi Arafat are experts in the field of liposuction and body contouring. They have experience in treating lipoedema patients and work with the most modern and gentlest methods.

‘Our aim is not only an aesthetic improvement, but above all a reduction of pain and better mobility for our patients.’ – Dr. Ali Saalabian

Advantages at the Kuzbari Centre for your lipoedema surgery

✔ Experience with lipoedema patients – treatment of hundreds of affected women
✔ Specialisation in minimally invasive liposuction – gentle on the tissue & precise
✔ Use of state-of-the-art technologies (WAL, PAL, VASER) – for less pain & quicker healing
✔ Individual consultation & tailor-made treatment plans
✔ Long-term care & aftercare for optimal healing results

Our techniques for the best results

At the Kuzbari Centre we rely on state-of-the-art methods for liposuction for lipoedema:

PAL – power-assisted liposuction

Through high-frequency vibrations the fat cells are loosened and removed particularly precisely. Ideal for patients who wish for a contoured, harmonious body shape .

VASER – ultrasound-assisted liposuction

Ultrasound technology makes it possible to dissolve the fatty tissue in a targeted way and at the same time to bring about a tightening of the skin .

Personal care from the initial consultation to the aftercare

We understand that a diagnosis of lipoedema often brings with it a long history of suffering. That is why at the Kuzbari Centre we attach particular importance to accompanying you individually and with empathy.

This is what awaits you with us:

• A personal consultation: your wishes & complaints are at the centre
• Individual treatment planning: tailor-made solutions for your needs
• Detailed explanation & transparency: you know exactly what is coming
• Everything under one roof & from a single source: from the consultation through the operation to the aftercare, everything takes place with us
• Regular aftercare appointments: in order to guarantee the best possible healing results

‘We accompany our patients not only during the operation, but also stand by them supportively during the healing phase.’ – Dr. Shawqi Arafat

How the liposuction for lipoedema proceeds

Many patients are uncertain before an operation and have numerous questions: How does the treatment proceed? Is the procedure painful? How long does the healing take? A well-informed decision begins with a clear idea of the whole treatment process. At the Kuzbari Centre we attach particular importance to transparent and empathetic support – from the initial consultation to complete healing.

Our specialists take sufficient time to understand your individual complaints, wishes and expectations precisely. We are aware that every patient is unique – which is why for every lipoedema treatment we draw up a tailor-made planin order to achieve both medical and aesthetic goals.

Your path to freedom from pain – step by step:

1. Before the liposuction: a comprehensive consultation & individual planning

Before a liposuction is carried out, a detailed conversation with our specialists Dr. Ali Saalabian and Dr. Shawqi Arafat is the first step. In this consultation without obligation we take time to:

1. understand your complaints and expectations precisely
2. carry out a detailed examination of the body areas affected
3. determine the optimal treatment method for your lipoedema
4. discuss realistic goals and results
5. clarify all open questions – so that you feel completely safe

‘Every patient is different – our aim is to ensure the best possible individual treatment. A liposuction for lipoedema is more than just a cosmetic procedure. It is meant to relieve pain, improve mobility and increase well-being.’ – Dr. Ali Saalabian

What happens before the operation?

1. You receive a precise explanation of the procedure and of the preparation for the operation
2. All relevant medical examinations are discussed
3. You are informed about anaesthetic options and aftercare measures

This careful planning ensures not only optimal aesthetic resultsbut above all a safe and effective medical treatment.

During the liposuction: precise & gentle treatment

On the day of the operation we receive you in our modern operating area at the Kuzbari Centre. Thanks to our specialised methods and tissue-sparing techniques the procedure is minimally invasive and requires no general anaesthesia – instead the liposuction is carried out under twilight sedation , so that you are relaxed during the procedure and feel no pain.

How the procedure proceeds:

1. Marking up of the treatment areas – your surgeon marks in exactly the fat deposits to be treated
2. Gentle anaesthetic (twilight sedation) – you sleep during the operation and wake up relaxed
3. Minimally invasive liposuction – with the WAL (water-jet-assisted) or PAL (power-assisted) technique the pathological fat cells are removed in a targeted way
4. Tissue-sparing treatment – through the use of modern methods the surrounding tissue, lymph vessels and nerves are protected

How long does the operation take?

Depending on the extent of the treatment the procedure takes between 1 and 4 hours.

Can I go home after the operation?

Since with us the liposuction is in most cases carried out on an outpatient basis, after a short period of monitoring you can be accompanied home on the same day.

 

After the liposuction: healing phase & aftercare

After the procedure the regenerative phasebegins, in which your body adapts to the new shape. In order to support the healing optimally, you receive detailed aftercare instructionsfrom us.

What you should observe after the operation:

• Wear compression garments for 4-6 weeks – supports healing, reduces swelling & prevents uneven fat distribution
• Light movement from day 2 – walks promote circulation & reduce the risk of thrombosis
• No intensive sport for 2-4 weeks – taking it easy is important in the early period
• Socially presentable after a few days – as early as after 2-3 days you can work again

‘We accompany our patients after the operation too – regular follow-up appointments help to monitor the course of healing optimally.’ – Dr. Shawqi Arafat

Advantages of liposuction for lipoedema at the Kuzbari Centre

A liposuction for lipoedema is a significant step towards more quality of life – and the choice of the right clinic plays a decisive role in the result. At the Kuzbari Centre for Aesthetic Medicine we rely on the highest medical standards, state-of-the-art technology and individual care.

✔ An outpatient procedure without a hospital stay – you can go home on the same day
✔ No general anaesthesia – instead gentle twilight sedation for a stress-free treatment
✔ Minimally invasive methods (PAL, VASER) – gentle on nerves & lymph vessels
✔ Experience & specialisation – our specialists are experts for lipoedema
✔ Individual consultation & long-term aftercare – personal care for the best possible healing

Comparison: liposuction vs. other treatment methods

Method	Result permanent	Reduces pain	Optimises appearance
Liposuction	Yes	Yes	Yes
Compression & lymphatic therapy	No	Short-term	No
Sport & diet	No	No	No

Frequent questions about liposuction for lipoedema

Many patients who suffer from lipoedema and are considering a liposuction have numerous questions about the treatment, the course of healing and the results. It is important to us that you feel safe and well informed – because only then can you make a well-founded decision for your health and your well-being.

Here you will find answers to the most frequent questions our patients ask us:

‘Does the liposuction hurt?’

During the operation you feel no pain, since the procedure is carried out under twilight sedation. That means that you sleep throughout the whole treatment and are completely relaxed.

After the operation, during the first days there can be slight pain, feelings of tightness and swelling – comparable to severe muscle ache. These complaints can, however, be controlled well with painkillers and as a rule subside within a few days.

• During the operation: Free of pain thanks to twilight sedation
• After the operation: Painkillers help to minimise complaints
• After a few days: Most patients feel only slight sensitivity to pressure

Good to know: Since the liposuction is carried out in a minimally invasive way, the complaints are considerably fewer than with many other surgical procedures.

‘How long does the healing take?’

The healing proceeds in several phases and can run at different speeds depending on the patient. The most important milestones are:

• Socially presentable after 2-3 days – light office work is as a rule possible without problems
• Sporting activities after 2-4 weeks – depending on the course of healing you can begin light training again after a few weeks
• Complete healing after approx. 3-6 months – the final results are visible once all the swelling has subsided

Important: So that the healing proceeds optimally, we recommend consistently wearing the compression garment as well as regular lymphatic drainage to support regeneration.

‘Does the health insurance fund cover the costs?’

In Austria liposuction for lipoedema is currently not covered by the health insurance funds, since it is officially classified as an ‘aesthetic treatment’. That means that the costs of the procedure have to be borne privately.

Our solution:

✔ Flexible instalment payments possible – with Kuzbari Finance you can pay for the operation in comfortable monthly instalments
✔ An individual overview of costs in advance – transparent pricing without hidden fees
✔ An investment in your health & quality of life – lasting results, no ongoing medication costs

‘Many patients regard the liposuction as the best investment in their health, since they can at last go through life free of pain and more mobile.’

‘Does the result remain permanent?’

Yes! Fat cells that have once been removed do not grow back. That means that the lipoedema cannot reappear in the areas treated.

However, it is important that after the procedure you pay attention to a healthy way of life in order to maintain the best possible result.

This is what you should know:

• The fat cells are removed permanently – the result is maintained
• No return of the lipoedema in the places treated
• A healthy diet and exercise help to preserve the optimal result

Good to know: Should a further progression of the condition occur in other areas of the body in future, a further liposuction as a follow-up therapy can make sense.

‘How does liposuction for lipoedema differ from a normal liposuction?’

Liposuction for lipoedema requires a particular degree of precision, since it is a medical treatment and not merely an aesthetic correction.

Differences from normal liposuction:

✔ Special techniques (PAL, VASER)in order to spare the tissue as much as possible
✔ A particular focus on protecting the lymph vessels
✔ Removal of larger quantities of pathological fatty tissue without causing asymmetries

Book an appointment now

A liposuction for lipoedema can change your life lastingly. Less pain, more mobility and a body in which you feel comfortable.

Many patients suffer for years from the consequences of untreated lipoedema – and yet there is a solution. Let our specialists advise you and find out which individual options exist for you.