Lipedema in Palm Beach Gardens and West Palm Beach, FL
Lipedema is a chronic, often misunderstood condition that causes the abnormal accumulation of fat, most commonly in the hips, thighs, legs, and sometimes the arms. At Thomas Pane MD, Plastic Surgery, we provide advanced surgical options to help patients manage lipedema, reduce discomfort, and restore proportion and mobility.
What Is Lipedema?
Lipedema is a progressive fat disorder that primarily affects women and is frequently misdiagnosed as obesity or lymphedema. The condition is hormonal and genetic, and the affected fat is resistant to diet and exercise.
Common characteristics include:
- Disproportionate fat buildup in the lower body or arms
- Pain, tenderness, or heaviness in the affected areas
- Easy bruising
- Swelling that does not significantly improve with elevation
- Feet typically spared (creating a cuff-like appearance at the ankles)
Early diagnosis and proper treatment are key to slowing progression and improving quality of life.
Stages of Lipedema
Lipedema progresses over time and is commonly classified into stages:
- Stage I: Smooth skin with enlarged fat deposits; mild tenderness
- Stage II: Uneven or dimpled skin texture with nodular fat
- Stage III: Large fat lobules causing significant contour irregularities and mobility issues
- Stage IV: Lipedema combined with secondary lymphedema (lipolymphedema)
Understanding the stage of lipedema helps guide the most effective treatment approach.
Treatment Options for Lipedema
Conservative Management
Non-surgical treatments may help manage symptoms, especially in early stages:
- Compression garments
- Manual lymphatic drainage
- Low-impact exercise
- Anti-inflammatory nutrition
While these approaches can reduce discomfort and swelling, they do not remove lipedema fat.
Lipedema Liposuction
Specialized liposuction is currently the most effective treatment for reducing lipedema fat and slowing disease progression. Techniques are carefully selected to protect the lymphatic system while improving contour and function.
Potential benefits include:
- Reduced pain and heaviness
- Improved mobility and daily function
- Better limb contour and proportion
- Decreased reliance on compression therapy
Multiple staged procedures may be recommended depending on the extent of disease.
Your Lipedema Consultation
During your consultation, Dr. Thomas Pane will:
- Perform a thorough medical and physical evaluation
- Review your symptoms, history, and prior treatments
- Determine whether lipedema surgery is appropriate
- Create a personalized, staged treatment plan if needed
Patient education and realistic expectations are a central part of every consultation.
Why Choose Thomas Pane MD, Plastic Surgery?
Dr. Thomas Pane offers a thoughtful, patient-centered approach to lipedema care, combining surgical expertise with an understanding of the physical and emotional challenges associated with this condition.
Our practice emphasizes:
- Precise, lymphatic-sparing surgical techniques
- Safety-focused treatment planning
- Natural, proportional outcomes
- Compassionate, individualized care
Schedule a Lipedema Consultatoin
If you believe you may have lipedema or are seeking advanced treatment options, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Thomas Pane MD, Plastic Surgery.