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Lipedema

Lipedema

It was never just a matter of discipline.

20+

Years of experience

Specialist

in Plastic Surgery

Former

Chief Physician

Is lipedema surgery right for you?

Whether surgery makes sense depends on the stage and your symptoms, which we assess in a personal examination. Ask your question directly via WhatsApp or book a consultation right away.

What is lipedema?

Lipedema is a chronic fat distribution disorder that primarily affects women and is often associated with pain, tenderness, and a disproportionate increase in fat tissue in the legs and/or arms.

Many affected individuals report a feeling of tension, an increased tendency to bruise, and the experience that exercise, dietary changes, or weight loss can partially improve symptoms, but often do not sufficiently affect the affected body areas.

In a personal consultation, we analyze your individual situation, discuss possible treatment paths, and collaboratively develop a plan tailored to you – from lipedema diagnosis to aftercare.

Lipedema or overweight?

Lipödem Bild - Oberschenkel - Stavrakis Aesthetics Berlin

Many affected individuals hear for years that their symptoms are merely a result of being overweight or lack of exercise. However, lipedema can occur independently of body weight and is not equivalent to ordinary weight gain.

While excess body fat usually reduces evenly with weight loss, patients with lipedema often report that particularly the legs and/or arms remain disproportionately pronounced despite exercise, dietary changes, or significant weight reduction.

Typical signs of lipedema may include:

disproportionate fat increase in the legs and/or arms,

pain or tenderness of the tissue,

a feeling of tension and heaviness,

an increased tendency to bruise,

symptoms that worsen throughout the day,

the feeling of "losing weight everywhere – just not in the affected areas."

Not every disproportionate fat distribution is automatically lipedema. A careful examination and individual diagnostics are crucial to make the correct diagnosis and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

Frage per WhatsApp
Schematische Darstellung von Symptomen, Typen und Stadien des Lipödems

Symptoms of lipoedema

The symptoms of lipoedema can vary greatly and often develop gradually over many years. Many affected individuals report a feeling that "something is not right" long before a diagnosis is made. Typical symptoms

Patientin nach Behandlung von Lipödem - Oberschenkel - SA Aesthetics Berlin

Typische Symptome

Pain and sensitivity of the tissue -

even light touches or slight pressure can be perceived as uncomfortable or painful.

Feeling of tension and heaviness, especially in the legs -

many patients describe a sensation that their legs become increasingly heavier throughout the day.

Increased tendency to bruising -

even minor bumps or touches can lead to visible bruises without any recollection of a corresponding trauma.

Disproportionate fat accumulation in the legs and/or arms -

the affected body areas often appear out of proportion to the rest of the body and respond significantly worse to weight changes.

The feeling of swollen, heavy, or tired limbs –

especially after prolonged standing or sitting, there can be a pronounced feeling of strain and fatigue.

Symptoms that can worsen throughout the day -

many affected individuals report an increase in symptoms with heat, physical exertion, or in the evening.

Little change in the affected areas despite exercise and weight loss -

while other body areas respond to dietary changes and exercise, the affected areas often remain largely unchanged.

Limitations in physical endurance and quality of life –

over time, everyday activities, sports, and overall well-being can be increasingly impaired.

Types and stages of lipoedema

Stages

  • Stage I: The skin surface usually appears smooth. However, the subcutaneous fat tissue may already be thickened and show fine nodular changes. Initial symptoms such as sensitivity to pressure or a feeling of heaviness may occur.
  • Stage II: The skin appears increasingly uneven, the nodular structure of the fat tissue becomes more pronounced, and symptoms often increase in intensity.
  • Stage III: There is a pronounced increase in fat tissue with larger tissue overhangs and a growing limitation of mobility and quality of life.

Types (Distribution Patterns)

  • Type I: Fat accumulation primarily on the hips and buttocks ("saddle bags")
  • Type II: Fat accumulation on the hips and thighs down to the knees
  • Type III: Fat accumulation of the entire legs down to the ankles
  • Type IV: Additional involvement of the arms alongside the legs
  • Type V: Primarily the lower legs are affected, while the thighs remain largely spared

Treatment Options for Lipedema

The treatment of lipedema is tailored to the individual symptom profile, the stage of the disease, and personal life circumstances. Not every patient requires the same therapy. The goal is to alleviate symptoms, improve quality of life, and maintain or restore physical resilience.

Surgical Treatment of Lipedema

VASER Behandlung für Lipödem - Beine

Individual Concepts Instead of Standard Solutions

The surgical treatment of lipedema involves much more than just the removal of fat tissue. The goal is to reduce symptoms, improve mobility and quality of life, while carefully considering the individual anatomy of each patient.

Each patient comes with different prerequisites. The extent of symptoms, the affected body regions, skin quality, and personal expectations can vary significantly. For this reason, there is no standard solution – but rather individual treatment concepts that are specifically tailored to the respective starting situation.

Your Lipedema Journey at Stavrakis Aesthetics Berlin

Treatment Process

Bild von Patientin mit Lipödem - SA Aesthetics Berlin

Why choose Stavrakis Aesthetics for your lipedema treatment?

Themistoklis Stavrakis, Facharzt für plastische und ästhetische Chirurgie Berlin

The surgical treatment of lipedema requires not only technical skill but also a deep understanding of anatomy, function, and individual complaints. The decision for or against surgery—and the choice of the appropriate technique—should always be based on a careful analysis of the starting situation.

At Stavrakis Aesthetics, the extensive experience of our chief physician in plastic, aesthetic, and reconstructive surgery, as well as his comprehensive expertise in modern liposuction, is incorporated into every individual treatment plan. Treating patients with lipedema often requires more than standardized liposuction: skin quality, soft tissue conditions, functional complaints, and long-term body contour must all be considered.

Questions about costs or the procedure?

The costs depend on the stage of lipedema and the number of areas to be treated. After your consultation, you receive a transparent cost plan. We are happy to answer short questions in advance via WhatsApp.

Calculated according to the German Medical Fee Schedule (GOÄ) and your individual treatment plan.

Costs & Financing of Your Lipedema Treatment

At a glance

Individual Cost Planning

Individual Cost Planning

Based on the German Medical Fee Schedule (GOÄ) and your personalized treatment plan.

Financing

Financing

Flexible payment plans available.

Cost Transparency

Cost Transparency

No hidden additional costs.

VASER® & BodyTite Technology

VASER® & BodyTite Technology

Advanced technologies for selective fat removal and skin tightening.

Individual Treatment Concept

Individual Treatment Concept

Outpatient or inpatient treatment depending on the extent of surgery.

24/7 Postoperative Emergency Care

24/7 Postoperative Emergency Care

Available around the clock whenever you need us.

Do You Have Questions About Lipedema Surgery?

Every case of lipedema is unique. We are happy to assess your individual situation, answer your questions, and explain your treatment options. Contact us via WhatsApp or schedule a personal consultation with Themistoklis Stavrakis, M.D.

What Is Included in the Treatment Fee?

More Than Just Surgery

At SA Aesthetics, your lipedema treatment includes far more than the surgical procedure itself. From your comprehensive consultation and individualized surgical planning to structured postoperative care, we guide you through every step with a personalized treatment concept. Our goal is maximum safety, meticulous surgical planning, and long-lasting results.

✔ Surgery performed by Themistoklis Stavrakis, M.D., Board-Certified Plastic & Aesthetic Surgeon with many years of international experience in lipedema surgery.

✔ Personal consultation and individualized surgical planning.

✔ Lipedema surgery using VASER® and BodyTite technology, where indicated.

✔ Individualized outpatient or inpatient treatment depending on the extent of surgery.

✔ 24/7 postoperative emergency support.

✔ Transparent treatment and cost plan.

Frage per WhatsApp

Individual Costs of Your Lipedema Surgery

Transparent Costs – Tailored to Your Treatment

The cost of lipedema surgery depends on the stage of the disease, the number of treatment areas, and the overall surgical complexity. As treatment often requires multiple procedures, every operation is individually planned according to your anatomy, symptoms, and treatment goals.

Frequently asked questions about lipoedema - liposuction

Exercise and a balanced diet can improve overall well-being and help stabilize body weight. However, the diseased fat tissue of lipoedema is generally not eliminated by these means.

This depends on the affected body regions, the extent of the condition, and individual symptoms. While a single surgery may be sufficient in some cases, multiple procedures may be advisable for more pronounced findings to achieve a safe and optimal result.

Whether multiple areas can be treated in one session depends on the individual findings, the planned treatment scope, and the medical prerequisites. This will be discussed during the personal consultation.

Yes. Wearing the individually tailored compression garments is an essential part of aftercare and supports the healing process. The duration depends on the extent of the procedure and the individual starting situation.

Yes. Manual lymphatic drainage is an essential part of our post-treatment concept following lipedema liposuction. It supports the healing process, can help reduce swelling, and improve well-being during the recovery phase.

We recommend starting lymphatic drainage early after the procedure and will tailor the frequency and duration to the extent of treatment and the healing process. In combination with compression therapy and regular follow-ups, it forms an important component of postoperative care.

The fat cells removed during liposuction do not regenerate. However, since lipedema is a chronic condition, changes can occur over the long term. Therefore, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and regular follow-ups remain important.

This depends on the individual starting situation. In cases of pronounced findings, advanced stages, or significantly reduced skin elasticity, additional tightening may be sensible or necessary. In selected patients, the combination of liposuction with tissue-tightening procedures like BodyTite® can help support natural skin contraction and reduce the risk of remaining skin excess. However, in more pronounced cases, additional tightening surgeries—such as in the thigh area—may be required to sustainably improve both functional complaints and body contour. What measures are appropriate depends on skin quality, the extent of tissue changes, and personal treatment goals, and will be determined together during the consultation.

Surgical treatment may be appropriate when complaints persist despite conservative measures and quality of life is increasingly impaired. The right timing is individual and should be decided based on the complaints, the course of the disease, and personal life situation.

The conditions for cost coverage by health insurance depend on the applicable legal regulations and the individual insurance relationship. Patients with statutory health insurance should inquire early with their health insurance provider about the current requirements. Since Stavrakis Aesthetics operates as a self-pay and private practice, treatment for patients with statutory insurance is generally on a self-pay basis. Direct billing with statutory health insurance is therefore not possible. For privately insured patients, reimbursement of treatment costs may be possible depending on the individual insurance contract. We are happy to assist you with the necessary documents and advise you in a personal conversation about your individual options.

Looking for individual consultation?

Would you like to know if lipedema liposuction is an option for you or wish for an individual assessment of your situation? In a personal consultation, we will answer your questions, discuss possible treatment options, and develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs.

Stavrakis Aesthetics Praxisklinik Berlin

Fasanenstraße 74, 10719 Berlin

+49 (0) 30 45 95 2900