Lipedema: A Practical Guidebook

Description

This book is written as a guide for patients suffering from lipedema. Known as a common, painful fat distribution disorder characterised by a disproportional fat accumulation, lipedema represents an unmet medical need where scientific evidence on both pathophysiology and its treatment is still lacking. As the number of affected patients is increasing, besides striving to map the conundrum of clinical signs and relate these to their underlying mechanisms, developing standardised approaches addressing both fat mass reduction and body contouring are key issues able to warrant therapeutic success. In this book, our intention was to look at this complex disease from all its actual perspectives and provide a concise summary of the actual state of knowledge for all those affected.  After looking into the most actual data on the aetiology, pathophysiology and course of the disease, the book then focuses on our complex treatment protocols wherecurrent conservative and surgical treatment options are systematically analyzed, considering their long-term chances of success as well as associated risks and side effects. We propose a three step treatment approach. 1st step initiates with weight control and addresses obesity, if present. 2nd step is an individual liposuction therapy plan to treat all lipedema areas, and more. 3rd step includes body contouring surgery, only in patients with massive skin laxity after liposuction and / or massive weight loss.   Preface The Rationale for the Book Acknowledgements About this Book Contents About the Authors 1: The Lipedema 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Causes and Emergence 1.2.1 Adipose Tissue 1.2.2 Science in Detail 1.2.3 Hormone Activity of the Adipose Tissue 1.2.4 Lipohypertrophy 1.2.5 Theory of Microvascular Disruption and Lymphatic Interaction 1.2.6 Uncontrolled Fat Tissue Proliferation 1.3 The Edema 1.4 Pain 1.5 A Chronic-Progressive Course? 1.6 Obesity and Lipedema 1.7 Complaints and Effects of Lipedema 1.8 Appearance, Stages, Classifications, and Course 1.9 Diagnosis 2: The Lymphedema 2.1 Anatomy and Functioning of the Lymphatic System 2.2 Causes 2.3 Clinical Appearance 2.4 Diagnosis 2.5 Conservative Therapy 2.6 Surgical Therapy 2.6.1 Restorative/Reconstructive Surgery 2.6.2 Tissue Removal Measures 2.7 Similarities and Differences of Lipedema and Lymphedema References 3: Treatment of Lipedema 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Measures for Weight Stabilization 3.2.1 Conservative Measures 3.2.2 Surgical Measures for Weight Stabilization 3.3 Complex Physical Therapy 3.4 Complex Surgical Treatment 3.5 The Individual Therapy Plan 3.6 The Liposuction 3.6.1 General Information 3.6.2 Techniques and Shapes 3.6.3 Liposuction Volume 3.7 Conclusion 3.7.1 Requirements and Preparations 3.7.2 Liposuction Procedure 3.7.3 Aftercare 3.7.4 Success and Long-Term Prospects 3.7.5 Consequences and Risks 3.7.6 Course of the Complex-Operative Therapy Plan 3.8 Treatment Example 3.9 Cost Absorption 3.10 Autologous Fat Grafting 4: Body Contouring Surgery After Extensive Liposuction and Weight Loss 4.1 Medical Indication for Tightening of Excess Skin and Soft Tissues 4.2 Noninvasive and Minimally Invasive Tightening Methods 4.3 Conclusion 4.4 Thigh Lift 4.5 Upper Arm Lift 4.6 Buttock Lift 4.7 Tightening of the Lower Torso Wall 5: Additional Information about Treatment 5.1 Possibilities and Limits of Plastic Surgery 5.2 How to Find the Right Doctor? 5.3 Presentation to the Plastic Surgeon Index