Improvements in patients with lipedema 4, 8 and 12 years after liposuction

Abstract

Background Long-term results following liposuction in patients with lipedema were available only for an average period of 8 years. Objective To find out whether the improvements persist for a further 4 years. Methods In 60 patients with lipedema a single-centre study with a mail questionnaire – often in combination with clinical controls – was performed after an average period of 12 years following liposuction(s). All patients in this group had already been surveyed 4 and 8 years after surgery. Results Compared with the earlier results improvement persisted with regard to spontaneous pain, sensitivity to pressure, edema, bruising and restriction of movement; similar outcomes were observed for self-assessment of cosmetic impairment, reduction in quality of life and overall impairment. While in the period from 4 to 8 years postoperatively complaints slightly increased, this was not the case for the period 8 to 12 years postoperatively. In addition a similar reduction of conservative treatment (decongestive therapy, compression garments) was observed as after 4 and 8 years postoperatively. Compared with the body weight before liposuction, 55% of the patients showed a reduction of 6.2 kg on average and 43.3% had a weight increase with an average of 7.9 kg. Conclusion The results show, that the positive effects of liposuction last 12 years postoperatively without relevant worsening. They imply that liposuction for lipedema leads to a permanent reduction of symptom severity and need for conservative therapy.