Lipedema Treatment in MENA
Lipedema is a chronic condition related to excess fat that accumulates in the buttocks, hips, thighs, and legs. Unlike obesity, lipedema is a connective tissue disorder with genetic and hormonal influences where the excess fat is much less responsive to diet and exercise. Patients with lipedema have pain and discomfort in their legs and thighs because the fat cells are generally inflamed and tender.
If you have been told by your physician that you are obese, but have symmetric bilateral accumulation of fat in the arms, hips, thighs, and legs; you may have a condition known as lipedema. In Beverly Hills and Los Angeles, double board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian treats patients with lipedema in the lower body. Our office offers virtual consultations and specializes in the diagnosis, management, and surgical treatment of patients with lipedema from the Middle East MENA nations of Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al-Quwain, and Ras al Khaimah), Oman, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.
Understanding Lipedema
Lipedema refers to an accumulation of fat in the lower body that is disproportionate and symmetrical, with sparing of the feet and ankles. The hyperplastic fat cells are largely responsive to estrogen and the accumulation of fat usually corresponds to major hormonal changes in the body such as puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. Most patients who have lipedema are female and attempts to reduce the abnormal fat are resistant to diet and exercise.
Our office specializes in lipedema treatment and we have significant experience in the management of patients with disproportionate lower body fat. Clinicians first began to identify lipedema in the 1940s and since then significant research has been performed to better elucidate the differences between lipedema and obesity. The problem, as we understand it, is that most doctors do not understand lipedema and incorrectly diagnose patients with obesity and fail to identify factors that may point towards a diagnosis of lipedema.
- Excess fat deposits in the lower legs, hips, and thighs
- Weight that is disproportionately accumulated in the lower body but spares the feet and ankles
- Fat that is resistant to diet and exercise
- Hormonally dependent fat accumulation
- Chronic pain and discomfort
- Varicose veins and vein disease