Lipedema Treatment Options

Currently there is no known cure for Lipedema, but there are a number of therapies to decrease and manage symptoms. The chances of having success with these therapies are much greater when diagnosis is early.

Non-Surgical Treatments for Lipedema

Natural Treatments

A healthy diet, exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight is important for someone who has Lipedema. If you have obesity coupled with Lipedema, mobility and pain may be a greater issue than someone who is not obese.

It could be especially helpful to eat foods that are anti-inflammatory. Additionally, supplements that help decrease swelling or improve immune system function could be beneficial.

Compression Stockings

It is important to begin the discussion of compression garments early in the course of treatment as selecting the appropriate type is a very challenging task for a Lipedema patient.

Here are some considerations when choosing a compression garment:

• Coverage
• Compression class
• Custom-made versus ready-made
• Material
• Construction
• Suspension
• Skin condition (Do you have sensitive skin?)
• Cost

Lipedema treatments will have a complete decongestive phase (CDT), which is a process using massage techniques, exercise, compression, and sometimes additional skin care techniques.

The main component of CDT is focused massage techniques termed manual lymphatic drainage massage. This technique uses a scooping motion with the hand, applying pressure to manually guide trapped lymph fluid out of the affected limb or limbs.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)

MLD is a gentle massage in which a very light pressure is used to stimulate the lymph vessels that lie just beneath the skin.  These vessels are small and thin, and as a result firm pressure in any one area can actually shut them down momentarily, so the gentleness of the pressure is essential.

Some therapists visualize this process as pushing the lymph fluid in the desired direction, while others see it as directing the flow by pulling the skin slightly ahead of the lymph flow. Either way, MLD is an important technique for moving lymph fluid out of the congested area and back into circulation in the center of the body.

After the initial decongestive phase, it is important to continue with maintenance therapy to prevent the return of swelling. This will include diligent use of compression garments during the day and elevation of the legs when in bed.

Sequential Pneumatic Therapy

Another device that can be very helpful and functions similarly to MLD is a sequential pneumatic pump. This device is used in the convenience of your home, and includes sleeves that are placed on the legs or arms, and a pump that inflates the chambers in the sleeves to stimulate the lymphatic system and encourage the fluid to flow out of the legs or arms.

The device is usually used twice a day, but your doctor and therapist will work together to establish a treatment plan that is appropriate for you.

Nutritional Supplements

Multiple nutritional supplements appear to be helpful in the management of lipedema. In some cases the reasons are known, but sometimes we just know they work but we’re not sure why. Below are some of the more common supplements we use, but there are many more that can help. This list will give you an idea of the goals when these medications are used.

Selenium: Decreases swelling and inflammation by reducing the adhesion or stickiness of cells, and blocking the production of free radicals (substances that damage tissues). Also helps the immune system function better to reduce infection.

Butcher’s Broom: Combats swelling by making blood vessels less leaky and decreasing their size.

Diosmin: Improves lymphatic function by decreasing vessel size and pressure, and increasing pumping action of the lymph vessels. Also makes tiny blood vessels less leaky

Quercetin: Maintains healthy blood vessel walls and decreases stress hormone release. It also improves cardiovascular health.

Fexofenadine: Decreases mast cell activation and modulates the immune system to improve the health the tissues and circulation in the affected areas.

Beta 1,3-D Glucan: Modulates immune system function to decrease infections and also decrease inflammation which has a major effect on the lymphatic system.

Surgical Treatments for Lipedema

All patients should be treated with conservative non-surgical therapies. However, many patients’ symptoms are not adequately controlled by non-surgical treatments such as compression and manual lymph drainage (MLD).

Women with Lipedema who have symptoms not adequately controlled by more conservative treatments, or those who have mobility issues, should consider Liposuction as an option.

Liposuction