Lipedema surgery step by step
A procedure planned in phases to treat lipedema fat tissue, improve symptoms, reduce volume and support the patient from diagnosis through to recovery, with our FLACS technique and the AC Method.
A medical procedure, not a conventional liposuction
Lipedema surgery is designed to remove lipedema fat tissue precisely, respecting the lymphatic and vascular structures as far as possible.
Unlike cosmetic liposuction, it requires specialised diagnosis, planning by area, an adapted surgical technique and a specific post-surgery protocol. That is why it is part of an integrated lipedema treatment and our AC Method.
Phases of lipedema surgery
The process does not begin or end in the operating room. Safety and results depend on the prior assessment, the planning, the procedure and the follow-up that comes after.
Medical assessment, diagnosis and 3D scan
We study symptoms, affected areas, medical history, lipedema stage and the patient's functional needs. We use the Bodygee 3D body scanner to map the contour and plan the surgery in a personalised way.
Surgical planning by area
We define the approach to the affected areas (full legs, thighs, calves, knees, ankles, buttocks, arms, forearms, saddlebags, and abdomen or trunk where appropriate) and whether to divide the treatment into several phases. Our FLACS technique (Full Legs Advanced Contour Sculpting) and the AC lymph-preserving protocols guide this planning within the AC Method.
Specialised liposuction, adapted to each case
Specialised liposuction can rely on different technologies (PAL, WAL, UAL or RFAL), selected according to the tissue, the area and the surgical goal. Although PAL/Microaire is one of the techniques we use most, the approach is not limited to a single technology: we personalise the combination for each patient.
Skin retraction with Renuvion®
Renuvion® is used when there is skin laxity or a potential risk of it. In areas such as arms and thighs, where skin retraction is especially important, it is usually incorporated as a routine part of the surgical protocol.
Recovery and medical follow-up
Recovery includes medical supervision, compression, lymphatic drainage, specific care and follow-up throughout your progress, within Advanced Care recovery.
FLACS: our technique for full legs
FLACS (Full Legs Advanced Contour Sculpting) is the technique developed by Lipedema Advanced Care for treating the full legs. It prioritises the areas of greatest pain, volume and aesthetic impact to achieve a reduction of discomfort and volume that is as proportionate and aesthetic as possible.
FLACS: full legs
An integrated approach to the leg that plans treatment according to pain, volume and contour, rather than treating isolated areas.
AC lymph-preserving protocols
A technique designed to respect the lymphatic system during surgery, within our AC Method.
The AC Method from start to finish
Surgery is integrated with pre-surgical preparation and post-surgery recovery to support the patient throughout the whole process.
How the surgical process is distributed
Lipedema surgery should be understood as a complete medical process, where every phase influences the patient's safety, comfort and progress.
Areas that can be treated in lipedema surgery
The procedure adapts to the affected areas and to each patient's safety. In many cases, treatment is divided into several operations to prioritise safety and recovery.
Full legs (FLACS)
Our FLACS technique for full legs prioritises the areas of greatest pain, volume and aesthetics: thighs, calves, knees and ankles.
Arms and forearms
Lipedema often affects the arms and forearms; they are treated with the same planning by area and, where appropriate, with Renuvion®.
Buttocks and saddlebags
Areas such as the buttocks and saddlebags may be part of the surgical plan depending on the case.
Abdomen and trunk
Lipedema is recognised mainly in the limbs. The abdomen and trunk are not considered lipedema areas as such; when we treat these areas it is to improve body contour or for associated problems, not as treatment of lipedema itself.
Several technologies, one personalised approach
We do not work with a single machine: we have different surgical and recovery technologies, and we select the most suitable combination for each clinical case.
Specialised liposuction
PAL/Microaire (the one we use most), WAL/BodyJet, UAL and RFAL, adapting the technique to the tissue, the area and the surgical goal.
Renuvion® and 3D scan
Renuvion® for skin retraction when there is laxity or risk, and the Bodygee 3D scanner to plan and follow the evolution of the contour.
Advanced Care recovery
LED blanket, cold compression therapy, compression, lymphatic drainage and personalised medical follow-up to support the post-surgery recovery.
Common questions about lipedema surgery
How is it different from cosmetic liposuction?
Lipedema surgery is a medical procedure aimed at treating lipedema fat tissue while respecting the lymphatic structures as far as possible, with specialised diagnosis, planning by area and a specific post-surgery protocol. It is not a liposuction with a purely aesthetic purpose.
Which areas can be treated?
Full legs, thighs, calves, knees, ankles, buttocks, arms, forearms and saddlebags. The abdomen and trunk can be addressed when the aim is to improve body contour or for associated problems, not as treatment of lipedema itself. Planning is individualised.
Which liposuction techniques do you use?
We work with different technologies (PAL, WAL, UAL, RFAL). PAL/Microaire is one of the techniques we use most, but we are not limited to a single one: we select the combination according to the tissue, the area and the goal for each patient.
Can everything be treated in a single operation?
It depends on the volume and extent. In many cases, treatment is divided into several procedures to prioritise safety and recovery. The medical team defines the plan in each case.
When is Renuvion® used?
Renuvion® is used when there is skin laxity or a potential risk of it. In areas such as arms and thighs, where skin retraction is especially important, it is usually incorporated as a routine part of the surgical protocol.
