Many women suffer from painful fat deposits in the thighs and sometimes even in the arms. In medical terms, this is known as lipoedema. Recognising this condition is sometimes not so easy. The fat deposits are often confused with obesity, i.e. being overweight. This can be an additional burden for those affected. In this article, we explain the symptoms of lipoedema and how the fat distribution disorder can be treated.
What is lipoedema?
The term lipoedema describes a pathological disorder of fat distribution in the body. The legs are usually affected, sometimes also the arms. The condition almost exclusively affects women. It is not yet clear why. Hormonal reasons appear to be the main cause of lipoedema.
How can lipoedema be recognised?
There are four symptoms that indicate lipoedema:
Frequent bruises
If bruising frequently occurs on the affected areas of the body, this may indicate lipoedema. The walls of the blood vessels become more unstable due to the disease. In this way, even small contacts can cause noticeable bruising.
Increasing fatty tissue
The fatty tissue thickens on the legs and/or arms and its quantity increases. As a result, the silhouette and body proportions no longer appear harmonious. This can also increase patients' psychological distress.
Pain in the legs and/or arms
The areas of the body affected by lipoedema are painful, sometimes even to the slightest touch. If the disease is advanced, the legs can rub against each other. As a result, the skin becomes very stressed and sore, which can lead to further pain.
Lumps in the subcutis
Patients suffering from lipoedema often notice that hard lumps appear in the subcutaneous tissue of the affected areas. The upper layer of skin is very uneven and resembles severe cellulite.
What are the three stages of lipoedema?
The severity of lipoedema and the course of the disease can be divided into three stages:
Lipoedema stage 1:
Although the subcutis thickens, the surface of the legs and/or arms still appears smooth. The fatty tissue shows small, fine lumps.
Lipoedema stage 2:
The surface of the skin begins to become uneven. Coarser lumps form in the tissue.
Lipoedema stage 3:
The fatty tissue is greatly increased, thickened and hard. The skin is very uneven. The proportions of the body no longer appear harmonious.
How can lipoedema be treated?
The first step is to have the findings of the abnormal fat distribution disorder confirmed by a specialist. Depending on the overall constitution and the severity of the lipoedema, wearing compression garments, lymph drainage and physiotherapy may be considered. A special diet with few carbohydrates can also help.
If the physical and psychological suffering is very high, surgical measures can be taken. Liposuction has proven to be a successful method. The unwanted fat deposits are carefully removed under general anaesthetic using fine suction needles. Small incisions need to be made in the skin so that these can be inserted.
Lipoedema treatment in Weert (Netherlands)
If you suffer from pathological fat deposits, the Lipoedema treatment in the Acura clinic in Weert. Her attending physician, who is also the medical director of the clinic, is Dr Pascal Duijsters. He studied at the Free University of Brussels and graduated with honours in 1995. He went on to specialise in plastic and aesthetic surgery.
"My areas of specialisation are all types of Wrinkle treatmentlaser eyelid corrections and Eyelid lifts and the Liposuction with the VASER liposelection procedure, also and especially for lipoedema," explains the physician.
This method is currently regarded as the most modern treatment for liposuction. The recovery phase afterwards is less stressful for the body and the skin is much firmer than with traditional tumescent liposuction.
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