Your Initial Consultation: Understanding Your Needs and Goals

Your treatment begins with an in-depth consultation with a surgeon experienced in diagnosing and managing lipedema. During this consuiltation, the surgeon will assess the severity of the condition, review your medical history, and perform a physical exam. Together, you’ll discuss whether surgery is appropriate and explore the different options available to you.

Creating Your Personalised Treatment Plan

Based on your personal goals and the stage of lipedema, we’ll create a custom treatment plan. Your surgeon will explain which surgical techniques may be used, including tumescent liposuction, vibration-assisted liposuction (VAL), or water-jet assisted liposuction (WAL).

Preparing for Surgery

Before the surgery, you’ll complete some medical preparations — including a blood test to ensure you’re in good health. Your Weight Doctors® care team will provide full guidance on how to prepare, including dietary guidelines, adjustments to medications, and avoiding substances like alcohol or nicotine, if applicable.
In some cases, manual lymphatic drainage is recommended before surgery to reduce lymphatic fluid build-up in the affected areas and support smoother results.

The Day of Surgery: Comfort, Precision, and Preparation

On the day of your procedure, you’ll arrive at the clinic in a fasted state. After reviewing the surgical plan and marking the treatment zones, your surgeon will administer either general anaesthesia or local anaesthesia with sedation — depending on the extent of the surgery and your preferences.

The surgery is performed in two phases:

• Tumescent liposuction: This is a frequently used method. A large amount of a special tumescent solution is injected into the fatty tissue. This solution contains a local anaesthetic and adrenaline, which contricts the blood vessels to minimize bleeding and loosen the fatty tissue, allowing the abnormal fatty tissue to gently be removed.
• Liposuction: Once the tumescent solution has taken effect, a thin cannula is used to gently remove the fatty tissue through small incisions. Special care is taken to minimize damage to the surrounding tissue, lymph vessels, and skin. The volume of fat removed depends on the severity of the lipedema and the area being treated.

Immediately After Surgery: Early Healing and Support

Following the surgery, the treated areas are wrapped in compression garments or bandages to reduce swelling and support healing. If you’ve had general anaesthesia, you’ll stay overnight for observation. If local anaesthesia with sedation was used, you may be able to return home the same day, however it is important that you do not leave the clinic on your own and you do not drive within the first 24 hours following your surgery.
You’ll be monitored closely to ensure you’re recovering well and will receive post-operative care instructions before you leave the clinic.

Post-Surgery Care: Healing, Guidance, and Recovery

Aftercare plays a vital role in achieving the best results. You’ll receive clear instructions on wound care, compression garments, medications, and activity limitations. Follow-up appointments are arranged to monitor healing and address any concerns early on.

• Compression garments: These support the skin as it adapts to new contours and help reduce swelling and bruising. These should be worn around the clock (except when showering) for at least he first six weeks, as advised by your surgeon.
• Lymphatic drainage: In some cases, gentle manual lymphatic drainage is advised to support the drainage of lymphatic fluid, reduce fluid retention and swelling, and support faster healing.

Your Results: Recovery Timeline and Long-Term Transformation

The final results of lipedema surgery become visible around 3 to 6 months after surgery, once swelling has fully subsided and tissue has settled. Many patients experience a significant improvement in quality of life, reduced pain, improved mobility, and enhanced self-confidence following surgery.

To preserve your results, it’s important to maintain a stable weight and healthy lifestyle — including regular exercise and a balanced diet.

The Weight Doctors® RESHAPE program provides 360-degree care and support — from the initial personalized consultation and advanced surgical care to ongoing aftercare that helps you maintain results with confidence and comfort.