Symptoms
How We Can Help You
Lipedema is a rare, chronic condition that involves an abnormal buildup of fatty tissue, usually in the lower body but sometimes in the arms. Often misdiagnosed as obesity or lymphedema, lipedema primarily affects women and can eventually lead to lipo-lymphedema.
Stanford is one of the few hospitals in the country – and the only one in the Bay Area – that has a center dedicated to accurately diagnosing lipedema, understanding it, and successfully treating this debilitating disease. We base our approach on the latest scientific advances and treat lipedema with tumescent liposuction and reductive surgery.
What We Offer You For Lipedema
- Specialized expertise in treating lipedema from its earliest, tough-to-diagnose stage to the most advanced.
- Precise, accurate diagnosis of lipedema to rule out other conditions such as obesity or lymphedema, so you can begin the right treatment promptly.
- Experienced surgeons who have successfully treated the most complicated cases with tumescent liposuction and reductive surgery.
- Advanced treatment options, including tumescent liposuction, the leading surgical procedure for lipedema that improves leg function and appearance.
- Comprehensive support services including care coordination, psychological counseling, nutrition guidance, and physical therapy.
Treatment for Lipedema
Lipedema is a chronic condition with no cure. At Stanford, we offer therapies and surgery to improve symptoms, reduce leg size, and provide ongoing care and management.
Surgical treatment (tumescent liposuction and reductive surgery) is the most effective treatment to remove the fatty tissue. The results can be maintained for an average of five years. Nonsurgical therapies are helpful for people who have lipo-lymphedema, an advanced stage of lipedema in which lymphatic fluid builds up in addition to excess fatty tissue.
Early Stage
Advanced Stage
Early stage Lipedema treatment usually involves a combination of hormonal and surgical treatment, known as tumescent liposuction.
Herbal or hormone therapy
Lipedema occurs almost exclusively in women, especially after life events that trigger significant hormonal changes such as puberty, pregnancy, or during menopause. Our doctors prescribe hormone therapy or herbal supplements to help combat Lipedema. This may also improve the effectiveness of other simultaneous lipedema therapies.
Tumescent liposuction
During this outpatient procedure, the surgeon begins by injecting a solution into the targeted areas. The solution contains epinephrine to help reduce bleeding, bruising, and swelling and lidocaine as a local anesthetic. The surgeon uses a gentle, vacuum-like instrument to remove excess fat. Tumescent liposuction is the most effective treatment for Lipedema, and it can prevent recurrence for an average of five years.
Reductive surgery and nonsurgical therapies are helpful for people who have lipo-lymphedema, an advanced stage of lipedema in which lymphatic fluid builds up in addition to excess fatty tissue.
Reductive surgery
In this procedure, a surgeon removes large deposits of fatty tissue and excess skin.
Compression therapy
Your provider will prescribe a custom-made compression garment for you to wear to prevent swelling and fluid buildup.
Manual lymphatic drainage
A massage technique that can reduce fluid swelling, this gentle therapy moves excess fluid to areas where the lymphatic system is working, for proper drainage.
Herbal or hormone therapy
Taking certain hormones or herbal supplements may improve the effectiveness of other lipedema therapies.
Early stage Lipedema treatment usually involves a combination of hormonal and surgical treatment, known as tumescent liposuction.
Herbal or hormone therapy
Lipedema occurs almost exclusively in women, especially after life events that trigger significant hormonal changes such as puberty, pregnancy, or during menopause. Our doctors prescribe hormone therapy or herbal supplements to help combat Lipedema. This may also improve the effectiveness of other simultaneous lipedema therapies.
Tumescent liposuction
During this outpatient procedure, the surgeon begins by injecting a solution into the targeted areas. The solution contains epinephrine to help reduce bleeding, bruising, and swelling and lidocaine as a local anesthetic. The surgeon uses a gentle, vacuum-like instrument to remove excess fat. Tumescent liposuction is the most effective treatment for Lipedema, and it can prevent recurrence for an average of five years.
close Early Stage
Reductive surgery and nonsurgical therapies are helpful for people who have lipo-lymphedema, an advanced stage of lipedema in which lymphatic fluid builds up in addition to excess fatty tissue.
Reductive surgery
In this procedure, a surgeon removes large deposits of fatty tissue and excess skin.
Compression therapy
Your provider will prescribe a custom-made compression garment for you to wear to prevent swelling and fluid buildup.
Manual lymphatic drainage
A massage technique that can reduce fluid swelling, this gentle therapy moves excess fluid to areas where the lymphatic system is working, for proper drainage.
Herbal or hormone therapy
Taking certain hormones or herbal supplements may improve the effectiveness of other lipedema therapies.
close Advanced Stage
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, advanced clinical trials. Open trials refer to studies currently accepting participants. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but may open in the future.
To learn more about the clinical trials we offer, contact Osama Alnahar, MBBS at 650-723-1396 or osamaa@stanford.edu.
At Stanford, we are evaluating new liposuction techniques that are more effective at removing tissue and may offer better results.
What is Lipedema?
Our Clinics
Our specialists provide a range of advanced treatment options, including diagnostic and therapeutic regimens, to treat adults and children with lymphatic disorders.
To request an appointment at the Lymphedema Surgery Clinic Palo Alto, call 650-498-6004.
To request an appointment at the Lymphedema Surgery Clinic South Bay, call 408-426-4900.
To request an appointment at the Center for Lymphatic and Venous Disorders, call 650-723-6459.