How to Find a Legit Surgeon for Lipedema Surgery
Here are a few parameters to follow, and some resources!
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Hi Everyone!
In my last newsletter, I laid out who are the best specialists to give a Lipedema diagnosis. In this article, I want to talk about how to find a surgeon who specializes in Liposuction Surgery for Lipedema patients.
I looked to the Standard of Care for Lipedema because this document will always give me the correct info on Lipedema treatment.
I also highly recommend reading The Standard of Care for Lipedema. It will give you a lot of knowledge on how your disease should be medically treated.
There are two technical things you should look for in a Lipedema surgeon: Which type of liposuction do they use and if they have a volume limit.
1. Uses Tumescent, WAL, and/or PAL liposuction technique.
Lipedema Lipo surgery is a little different than standard liposuction. Since many of us have swelling, we already have a compromised lymphatic system. Liposuction can further damage this if not using the proper technique.
Unless you’re an information geek like me, don’t get overwhelmed by the medical part of liposuction, such as how each type of lipo works and what the differences are. Just know there are three approved types of Liposuction:
Tumescent
WAL (Water-assisted Liposuction)
PAL (Power-assisted Liposuction)
The types of suction lipectomy recommended for people with lipedema are based on tumescent liposuction which uses a solution injected into the tissue to decrease pain and bleeding. Other mechanical methods can also be used such as Water Assisted Liposuction (WAL) and Power Assisted Liposuction (PAL).
To date, all studies showing clinical improvements for women with lipedema used tumescence or WAL techniques.~The Standard of Care for Lipedema Sage Journals
Make sure the surgeon uses any or all of these three types of Liposuction, which are the ONLY types of surgical treatment for removing Lipedema nodules. Ultrasound, Laser, and Cold therapy, as much as they may help with pain and swelling, these and other surgical options are not The Standard of Care and are not appropriate for surgical treatment to remove Lipedema.
2. Does Large Volume Debulking Liposuction
The cosmetic limit for Liposuction is five liters. However, women with Lipedema will need a surgeon who’s had experience with removing more than the five-liter rule.
Unlike cosmetic liposuction, LRS (Lipedema Reduction Surgery) requires debulking rather than cosmetic sculpting. Therefore, more volume can and should be removed.
Debulking lipedema tissue may require larger than traditional suction aspirate volumes and multiple surgeries with proper intervals in-between. This is not cosmetic liposuction as there are mobility, pain and health benefits when removing lipedema tissue.~The Standard of Care for Lipedema Sage Journals
Also, LRS requires more than one surgery. Lipedema surgeons work in body sections, and Lipedema patients will typically require 2+ surgeries (according to a research study, the average was 3 surgeries, with a range of 1-7 surgeries).
Places to look for a Lipedema Surgeon
Just like it is difficult to get a Lipedema diagnosis, it’s even more difficult to find a qualified Lipedema surgeon who has made this a part of their practice. It’s even MORE difficult to find this kind of surgeon who will also bill your insurance plan or work with insurance for single-case agreements. This is changing for the better, thank goodness. In the meantime, try these methods.
Call your insurance plan
I hesitate to suggest this because calling insurance about finding a Lipedema surgeon may be a maddening task. You could first look on their website and see if their search engine shows up any possibilities. If you don’t find anything there, go ahead and give ‘em a call.
* It’s best to check this first because insurance will typically not cover an out-of-network provider if they have a contracted physician who can perform the same medical/surgical service.
Check your local university hospital
Teaching hospitals typically have clinics for plastic surgery. These entities are also more likely to bill insurance than private practice plastic surgeons.
University plastic surgeons are a good way to find a doc who’s already contracted with insurance, so you won’t need to go through submitting your own preauthorization.
Look into their directory and find the phone number for that clinic. Call them and ask if they perform liposuction surgeries specifically for Lipedema. *Make sure it is not confused with lymphedema.
Second, ask them if they are contracted with your insurance plan. If not, this will
If they surgically treat Lipedema, schedule yourself for a consult appointment right away. You can always change your mind if you decide not to have a consult.
One caveat: many University Plastic Surgeons have a long waitlist. My local university hospital has a one-year wait for a consult and a two-year wait for surgery. This might work for you if you aren’t yet sure if you want surgery but want to start the s-l-o-w process of workup.
That wait isn’t helpful for those of us who need surgery more quickly. I also have an issue with waiting an entire year for surgery based on the consult a year prior because our bodies can progress and need more extensive treatment. But again, it is taking a good year between consult and surgery for most surgeons anyway (including me and my surgery).
Ask the physician who diagnosed you
If you’ve been recently diagnosed, you could ask that doctor if they know any surgeons who work with Lipedema patients. Or ask any of your health providers who have been working with you in your conservative care.
Go to this list of physicians at Lipedemasource.com
There’s a list of physicians and surgeons all over the world on this site, and I haven’t yet found any other more comprehensive list! In fact, this is the list my case manager referred to when she was looking for a contracted surgical specialist for me.
According to this list, Lipedema specialists around the world are sparse (except for Germany and, ironically, the United States). Even in the United States, you’re more likely to air travel to see a surgeon. I’m hoping this list gets longer as Lipedema is more accepted as a medical condition.
Caveat: This list is older and may not be completely accurate. Double-check directly with that doctor’s office to see if that doc is still practicing there, if they still treat lipedema (and not exclusively lymphedema) and how long it takes to get in to see them. Here’s the link below:
If you have any ideas or have experienced other ways you’ve been diagnosed or received surgical treatment for your Lipedema, please let me know in the comments!
Take Care,
Michelle
What I write for you is informational and educational and does not provide medical advice. If you need medical advice or attention, turn to your PCP or other treating physicians. If it’s an emergency, of course always call 9-1-1. Here is my disclaimer if you’re interested:
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