Dr. Thomas Su, a cosmetic surgeon in Tampa, has been another incredible source of information about lipedema surgery. I found these statements extremely helpful as he addresses so many questions I get every day:
“In the U.S. there are a wide scope of doctors who can perform liposuction to treat lipedema sufferers. Liposuction for lipedema is typically done awake with tumescent technique which is the safest and most effective method for lipedema. There are many different doctors that are doing this type of awake liposuction currently for cosmetic purposes that come from different backgrounds. These include doctors from dermatology, OB/Gyn, primary care, general surgery, etc. Surprisingly, plastic surgeons who do cosmetic liposuction are typically not trained in awake liposuction because they do all of their surgeries under general anesthesia.”
“[N]o one is taught how to do liposuction for lipedema patients because it requires something very different and very advanced compared to the liposuction for typical cosmetic patients. Therefore, if a surgeon is to learn this it is usually after becoming very experienced in other areas and then figuring it out on their own.”
“Lipedema in most cases affects the thighs and lower legs including the ankles. Most doctors doing liposuction have never even treated the lower leg, calf, and ankles, and many believe it is an area that should not be done. Many doctors will tell patients that liposuction of the calves and ankles is dangerous or that there is not enough fat there to make a difference. Also, compared to typical cosmetic liposuction of upper thigh areas, lipedema liposuction is much more comprehensive. Most cosmetic patients have smaller inner and outer thigh bulges which are localized, however, the lipedema patient usually has large amounts of fat accumulation covering the entire upper leg, surrounding the knee, and encompassing the full lower leg. These patients often need liposuction involving the full leg in a 360 degree or circumferential manner, which requires different skills and is much more difficult. Few cosmetic doctors have treated thigh areas this extensively or do anything close to 360 lipo. Because of this, there are very few liposuction surgeons who have ever treated lipedema or are qualified to do it. That is why it is so hard to find a surgeon for lipedema much less one that can produce good results for you.”
In fact, I found an American Society of Cosmetic PhysiciansASOCP newsletter from years ago, where Dr. Su wrote, “It’s no secret that there is a turf battle when it comes to plastic surgeons vs other cosmetic physicians.”
When I read all of his words above, it was sort of a light bulb moment that helped explain some of the (often very well-meaning yet frequently overwhelming) questions I've been getting about my medical choices, recently.
At any rate, I know this newsletter is a bit different than usual, but considering how many people have reached out to me about realizing they know people with lipedema or that they themselves think they have it too… I felt it was a worthwhile newsletter topic to share as desired. I won't always focus on lipedema and lymphatic diseases, but I'm certainly in a season where I have little time for anything else.
Thank you so much for your support. You make this newsletter happen. You allow me to keep on writing in this smaller capacity, and your support is keeping me going. I'm hopeful for a future where I'm much healthier and mobile—but also writing again.
