Lipoedema

Lipoedema treatment

Diagnosis, surgery and the long game — explained without jargon. Lipoedema is a disorder of fat tissue, not a consequence of eating. It runs in families, it flares with hormonal change, and it does not respond to dieting — which is why so many women reach us having been blamed for something they cannot control.

Start anywhere

Understand it, then treat it

What is lipoedema?

Signs, who gets it, and how we diagnose it in one appointment.

Stages and types

From smooth-skinned Stage 1 to lipo-lymphoedema; Type I to Type V.

Superdry 4D liposuction

The surgery, step by step — bloodless and lymph-sparing.

Lipoedema or lymphoedema?

The five-minute way to tell them apart.

Living with lipoedema

Compression, food and movement — before and after surgery.

Knees and ankles

The joints lipoedema damages, and how we protect them.

How we treat it

One surgery, three pillars

Remove

Superdry 4D removes the diseased fat, protecting lymphatics, in as few sessions as safety allows.

Protect

Flat-knit compression, an anti-inflammatory way of eating and low-impact movement keep the result.

Repair

Where knees have been pushed out of line, we clear the fat inside the knee and add stem-cell-rich fat to support the joint in the same operation.

More than fat

Why the legs hurt, bruise and swell

Lipoedema involves more than fat cells: small vessels, nerves, lymphatics and connective tissue are all part of the picture. That is why the tissue is tender to light pressure, why bruises appear without a knock, and why the legs feel heavier by evening. It is also why a technique that spares the lymphatics matters so much.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Not answered here? Message us and a coordinator will reply within one working day.

Will lipoedema disappear if I lose weight?

No. Weight loss shrinks normal fat and leaves lipoedema fat in place, which often makes the disproportion more obvious. Bariatric surgery has the same limitation.

Can compression alone fix it?

Compression controls swelling and pain and is part of every plan we write, but it does not remove the diseased tissue.

Does the fat come back after surgery?

The removed fat cells do not regrow. Remaining tissue can enlarge with major hormonal change or weight gain, which is why the aftercare plan matters.

How many areas in one session?

It depends on stage and your health. The dry technique lets us treat more in a single session than fluid-based methods, always inside safety limits agreed with you before surgery.

Is it painful?

Surgery is under general or spinal anaesthesia. Afterwards, because there is little bruising or fluid, most patients describe soreness rather than pain and walk the same day.

Do I need an NHS or private diagnosis first?

No. Diagnosis is clinical — examination, history and the Stemmer test — and Prof. Karacalar makes it in person at your London or Istanbul appointment. Bring any scans you have; they are rarely necessary.

Sauna, hot baths?

Heat increases swelling in lipoedema. Cool water and swimming are your friends.

How is the price set?

By stage and by the number of regions treated — thighs, lower legs, arms, hips — not by a flat menu. You receive a written figure before you book.

Told it's "just weight"? It may be lipoedema.

Understand it

Treat it

One continuous line, from hip to foot.

Shape

Refine

Prof. Dr. Ahmet Karacalar

Ikonoplasti