Lipoedema or lymphoedema?

They are often confused — by patients and by doctors. The differences are visible in five minutes, and they change the treatment completely.

Side by side

How to tell them apart

Lipoedema

Lymphoedema

Sides

Both, symmetrical

Often one side

Feet

Spared

Involved early

Stemmer sign

Negative

Positive

Pitting on pressure

Yes

Pain

Prominent

Mild

Cause

Hormonal, runs in families

Lymph damage, often after surgery or infection

Treatment

Fat removal + compression

Drainage + compression

Stage 4 lipoedema becomes both: the lymphatic system is overwhelmed by the tissue load (lipo-lymphoedema).

Veins

A note on varicose veins

Lipoedema patients have far higher rates of varicose veins. Vein surgery on its own rarely improves leg heaviness in lipoedema — in a large series of lipo-lymphoedema patients it made no difference to swelling or fullness — so we recommend it only where it is needed in its own right.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

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

Can I have both?

Yes. Long-standing lipoedema can overload the lymphatics, producing lipo-lymphoedema. Treatment then addresses both.

Does lymphatic drainage help lipoedema?

It relieves swelling and discomfort and is a useful part of care, but it does not remove lipoedema tissue.

Will surgery damage my lymphatics?

That is exactly what the lymph-sparing Superdry technique is designed to avoid — cannulas travel along the vessels, not across them.

Still not sure which it is?

Send photos and a short description. We will tell you what it looks like and what we recommend.

ik●noplasti

Lipoedema & leg aesthetic clinic in Istanbul, led by Prof. Dr. Ahmet Karacalar — Professor of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery.

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Surgery carries risks and results differ from person to person. Content on this site is general information, not medical advice. Please seek an independent opinion before deciding on any procedure.