Lipedema Treatment / Treating Lipedema

While currently there is no cure for lipedema, there are a variety of treatment methods that can be prescribed for helping manage symptoms, reducing pain and inflammation, and slowing the condition's progression. The treatment protocol will typically be tailored to each person’s symptoms and stage of lipedema.

Noninvasive lipedema treatments

Simple lipedema treatment may include the following:

• Exercise: simple low-impact exercises such as swimming, biking and walking can help with weight management, promote circulation, improve mobility and reduce swelling. Exercising in a pool can help reduce stress on the joints.
• Heart-healthy, low-carb, anti-inflammatory diet: while this won’t affect the underlying fatty tissue, a healthy diet may help slow the progression of lipedema.
• Skin care: keeping your skin clean and moisturized will help maintain overall skin health around the affected areas to help prevent infection such as cellulitis.
• Medications or supplements: your healthcare provider may prescribe certain medications to help with inflammation, swelling and pain.

Depending on the stage of the lipedema, other noninvasive treatments that may be prescribed include:

• Compression therapy: wearing compression, such as compression stockings, sleeves, leggings or compression shorts can help with swelling (edema) and promote circulation.
• Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD): this is a specialized, gentle massage technique that stimulates lymph fluid and helps reduce edema (swelling).
• Complex Decongestive Therapy (CDT): this combines both the manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) massage followed by wearing a compression bandages or a garment (usually a compression wrap) to help maintain the volume reduction obtained by the MLD.
• Pneumatic Compression Device: a compression pump is a mechanical means for providing pressure to your legs to help reduce swelling and promote fluid flow and lymphatic drainage.

Invasive lipedema treatments

In the more extreme stages of lipedema invasive surgical treatment may be necessary to help alleviate pain and swelling. Invasive treatments include the following:

• Liposuction: this is used to remove fatty tissue, help reduce pain and improve mobility.
• Bariatric surgery: when lipedema exists with a BMI exceeding 35, your healthcare provider may recommend bariatric surgery to help manage and control your weight.
• Excision surgery: may be used for advanced stages of lipedema to remove large, fibrotic, or nodular tissue deposits.
• Skin Removal Surgery: After fat removal or loss, a skin removal procedure may be necessary for sagging skin.

Ready more about understanding and living with lipedema