Lipedema Surgery
Lipedema is a condition in which excess fat can cause persistent pain, swelling, and heaviness in your arms and legs, often making daily activities difficult and impacting both your mobility and confidence. The fat deposits that result from this issue don’t respond to diet or exercise and are often misdiagnosed, leaving many patients frustrated and seeking answers.
If you have lipedema and have tried conservative treatment options with little or no success, you may find relief from your symptoms with lipedema surgery. Dr. Josef Hadeed provides specialized lipedema surgery in Beverly Hills, serving patients from Los Angeles and beyond, to help people reduce their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
Table of Contents
- What Is Lipedema?
- Diagnosing Lipedema
- What Are the Symptoms of Lipedema?
- What Are The Stages of Lipedema?
- Am I a Candidate for Lipedema Surgery?
- How Is Lipedema Surgery Performed?
- Lipedema Surgery Recovery
- Stages of Lipedema Recovery
- What Can I Expect From My Lipedema Surgery Results?
- Lipedema Surgery FAQs
During your consultation in Beverly Hills, Dr. Hadeed will help you choose the options that will give you the best results.
Schedule A ConsultationWhat Are the Symptoms of Lipedema?
Often, by the time lipedema is diagnosed, the arms and legs look noticeably disproportionate. Unlike regular weight gain, the affected areas are painful and sensitive, even to a light touch, and the accumulated lipedema fat doesn’t respond to diet and exercise.
Common lipedema symptoms include:
- Persistent, painful fat deposits that fail to respond to diet or exercise
- Disproportionately large legs or arms (though the hands and feet remain unaffected)
- Tenderness, swelling, and frequent bruising in the affected areas
- A feeling of heaviness, fatigue, or reduced mobility in the affected areas
- Emotional distress or poor body image from the visible changes to your body
As lipedema progresses, mobility can become more limited, even leading to a decline in your quality of life.
What Are the Stages of Lipedema?
Stage 1 Lipedema
Your skin appears smooth, and the affected areas may still look normal; however, the fatty tissue will start to thicken.
Stage 2 Lipedema
The fat becomes more nodular and firm, your skin may start to appear uneven or dimpled, and hypersensitivity to touch may develop. The difference in your arm and leg proportions also becomes more noticeable.
Stage 3 Lipedema
Your limbs become significantly enlarged and deformed due to hardened, lumpy fat. Folds may form around your thighs and knees, and your mobility may start to become impaired.
Stage 4 Lipedema
In advanced stages of lipedema, secondary lymphedema can develop, increasing your risk of infections and connective tissue thickening and scarring (known as fibrosis), which can affect mobility even further. Pain, bruising easily, and limited movement are common at this stage.
Left untreated, lipedema can lead to disability, emotional strain, and worsening inflammation throughout your body. Early surgical intervention by a trained and experienced plastic surgeon like Dr. Hadeed can slow the progression of your lipedema, restoring your body contours and quality of life.
Am I a Candidate for Lipedema Surgery?
Candidates for lipedema surgery are people who have been diagnosed with the condition and are experiencing painful, disproportionate fat accumulation in the legs or arms that does not respond to diet and exercise. Some candidates may have also unsuccessfully tried conservative treatments, such as compression therapy, manual lymphatic drainage, or anti-inflammatory diets.
Ideal candidates for lipedema surgery include nonsmokers in overall good health who have a BMI under 35 and are experiencing additional symptoms like tenderness, swelling, limb heaviness, and easy bruising. Lipedema surgery can be beneficial for those experiencing significant physical or emotional challenges due to the condition. You should have realistic expectations for your results and understand that a staged surgical plan may be needed for safe, complete treatment of your lipedema.
The best way to find out if you’re a good candidate for lipedema surgery is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Hadeed. He will examine you and determine if lipedema liposuction is right for you, and create a personalized treatment plan.
How Is Lipedema Surgery Performed?
Dr. Hadeed uses a highly specialized, lymph-sparing technique to safely and effectively remove the excess abnormal fat caused by lipedema, while carefully maintaining the natural shape, contour, and function of your limbs. Lipedema liposuction is not cosmetic liposuction; it’s a reconstructive procedure that requires advanced technology, deep anatomical knowledge, and precision planning.
The first step in Dr. Hadeed’s lipedema surgery protocol utilizes VASER, an ultrasound-assisted liposuction technology. VASER uses gentle ultrasonic waves to selectively melt lipedema fat, especially in areas where the tissue is dense or fibrotic, which is typical of lipedema. Using VASER makes lipedema removal easier and minimizes trauma to blood vessels and tissue around the treatment area. This reduces bleeding, bruising, and swelling, while simultaneously offering some skin-tightening benefits.
After VASER emulsification, Dr. Hadeed performs power-assisted liposuction (PAL) using customized liposuction cannulas specifically designed to follow the natural contours of your arms and legs, allowing him to create natural-looking, sculpted results.
Throughout your lipedema surgery procedure, special care is taken to avoid deep or aggressive suction in areas where lymphatics are most concentrated. Because patients with lipedema may already have a compromised lymphatic system, Dr. Hadeed’s technique helps avoid complications like secondary lymphedema or infection.
In cases where a mild to moderate amount of skin laxity is a concern after the removal of a lipedema, Dr. Hadeed will use skin tightening technology, such as Renuvion® or QuantumRF, which tightens your skin from underneath. If you have more severe laxity, you may require surgical removal of excess skin, performed at a later date.
Because lipedema can distort the natural proportions of your body, especially the legs and arms, Dr. Hadeed’s approach to lipedema surgery focuses on restoring symmetry and aesthetic harmony to your figure, maintaining your natural shape while reducing overall volume. The goal is not just relief from lipedema symptoms, but also a return to balance, proportion, and confidence.
Stages of Lipedema Recovery
Weeks 1–2
- Bruising starts to fade
- Swelling tends to peak around week two
- Light walking and simple daily tasks are encouraged
- Avoid heavy lifting, bending over, or being on your feet for too long
Feeling more tired than usual—or even a little down—is completely normal. Your body is in full-on repair mode, and that takes energy.
Weeks 3–4
- Discomfort lessens, and movement feels easier
- Swelling becomes more localized
- You can start gentle exercise like walking, stationary biking, or swimming
- Continue to wear your compression garment full-time
- Avoid strenuous activities or exercise until at least 6 weeks after lipedema surgery
Months 2–3
- Swelling continues to dissipate
- Your new body contour begins to be more visible
- You may be able to switch to wearing the compression garment during the day only
- If you underwent Renuvion® or QuantumRF, you may notice your skin gradually tightening
- Energy improves, and you’ll start feeling and seeing the physical benefits of your procedure
What Can I Expect From My Lipedema Surgery Results?
Most patients report a dramatic improvement in their quality of life after lipedema surgery. Pain and pressure in the limbs have decreased significantly, movement feels easier, and many find they no longer need daily compression garments. If additional procedures like a thigh lift or arm lift are planned, they may be scheduled after your initial healing period.
The full results of your lipedema surgery typically take between 3 and 6 months to appear. During this time, it’s essential to maintain healthy habits that support lymphatic function and prevent recurrence.
Dr. Hadeed recommends the following as ways to maximize your lipedema surgery recovery and results:
- Continuing lymphatic drainage on an as-needed basis
- Staying hydrated
- Following an anti-inflammatory diet
- Wearing compression garments during long travel days or extended periods of standing
Some lipedema patients may also benefit from metabolic or hormonal support, particularly if the onset of lipedema occurred during times of hormonal fluctuation.
While recovery from lipedema treatment does require commitment, most patients find it to be a life-changing experience. With the support, expert guidance, and personalized aftercare provided by Dr. Hadeed and his team, you can reap the rewards of restored comfort, mobility, and confidence.
Lipedema Surgery FAQ
Will I only need one lipedema surgery?
Lipedema is considered a chronic condition for which there is no cure. Even after successful lipedema liposuction, the remaining fat cells in previously treated areas may continue to grow and cause lipedema symptoms. With that in mind, it is impossible to determine how many surgeries you may need over time.
Dr. Hadeed’s goal for his lipedema patients is for them to be able to live a pain-free and happy life. This can sometimes be achieved after one surgery, but more often will require more than one procedure.
How much does lipedema surgery cost?
The cost of lipedema surgery depends on several factors, including the general anesthesia, fees, hospital and surgical facility costs, medical tests, post-surgery garments, prescriptions, and the surgeon’s fee. During your consultation, Dr. Hadeed’s Patient Care Coordinator will provide you with an accurate estimate of the cost of your lipedema liposuction procedure.
How long do I need to wait in between lipedema surgeries?
There is an intense inflammatory reaction in the treated area after lipedema surgery. If your lipedema procedure requires a staged approach, Dr. Hadeed recommends waiting at least three months in between surgeries to allow your body sufficient time to heal.
Are there any risks associated with lipedema surgery?
As with any surgical procedure, there are some risks associated with lipedema liposuction. Liposuction to treat lipedema is unique, as it represents a more significant intervention than cosmetic liposuction. Some possible lipedema treatment complications may include:
- Fluid accumulation under the skin (seroma)
- Infection
- Hematoma
- Numbness and tingling
- Prolonged swelling
- Lymphedema
- Asymmetry
If you have concerning symptoms during your lipedema recovery, contact Dr. Hadeed’s office immediately.
Does lipedema surgery leave scars?
The scars from lipedema surgery are small, and Dr. Hadeed places them in inconspicuous areas, so visible scarring is minimal. If excess skin removal is required, those incisions are often concealed in the inner arms and thighs.
Beverly Hills, California
9454 Wilshire Blvd
Suite 710
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
