The diagnosis of lipedema should be excluded in patients who are deemed obese by their physicians and have excess deposits of fat within the trunk and lower extremity. Lipedema is a specific condition characterized by excessive stores of fat within the subcutaneous tissue on the knees legs thighs, and trunk.
It is important to understand the differential diagnosis Of lipedema versus obesity versus lymphedema when diagnosing a patient with excessive weight gain in the lower extremities. Over 25 million women in the United States have a condition known as lipedema which is often associated with tissue inflammation and Adema within the subcutaneous fat. Once the diagnosis of lipedema is made, Dr. Karamanoukian and his team of board-certified surgeons can recommend a surgical treatment plan that can reduce lipedema deposits with liposuction.
Our office is based in Los Angeles with centers in Santa Monica and Beverly Hills and we have two board-certified Venus and lymphatic surgeons who can further treat the lip Adema in the postoperative recovery phase.
Lipedema is a chronic disorder and can disproportionately cause weight gain that is unresponsive to diet and exercise. Once the diagnosis of lipedema is made, further characterization based on the severity of symptoms and fatty deposition can help formulate a treatment plan for surgery.
Research Studies on Gene Expression and Lipedema
Clinical studies are adding a lot of information to our understanding of lipedema. This study from Germany analyzed the activated genes in lipedema fat and then compared the genes in other pockets of overgrown fat. They found that there were at least three different types of genes that were behaving differently in lipedema fat. One group of genes are important in fat growth and development. Another set of genes were involved in how the body accumulates fat and controls inflammation. The third group of genes are involved in pain transmission. This study is really important because it separates lipedema from a problem of weight gain - there are actually genes that are behaving different in lipedema and these genes control fat growth, inflammation, and pain. Citing a study like this is important when trying to obtain insurance authorization for lipedema with PPO insurance.
Dr. Karamanoukian employees a highly customized method of liposuction combined with Lipo sculpture and fibrous Release that can reduce fatty deposits and improve symptoms of lipedema.
Patients who are suffering from lipedema can contact our liposculpture surgical center in Beverly Hills or Santa Monica to help diagnose and treat lipedema.
Please call (310) 998-5533 to schedule a consultation for lipedema treatment in Los Angeles.