Endolaser for Lipoedema – Ataşehir, Istanbul

How is lipoedema recognised?

Lipoedema mostly affects women: fat builds up equally on both sides in the hips, thighs and legs, out of proportion to the rest of the body, with pain, heaviness and easy bruising. The fat ends sharply at the ankles and the feet are usually spared, which helps distinguish it from lymphoedema. Diagnosis is made by examination, with ultrasound of veins and lymphatics when needed.

How is endolaser applied in lipoedema?

1. Planning: treatment areas are marked; large areas are split into several sessions.
2. Anaesthesia: local (tumescent) anaesthesia.
3. Laser: a thin fibre in a fine cannula is advanced into the fat layer through millimetre entry points; laser energy softens fat, which can be removed with fine cannulas.
4. Tightening: tissue beneath the skin is heated to stimulate collagen.

Patients go home the same day.

Who may and may not be suitable?

It may suit diagnosed patients who have followed compression and activity for several months, with a stable weight and realistic expectations. It is not performed during pregnancy or breastfeeding, with active infection, bleeding disorders, uncontrolled diabetes, heart or kidney disease, or unassessed venous disease or previous deep vein thrombosis.

Recovery: bandaging and compression

Swelling, bruising and tenderness are expected in the first days. The leg can be supported with a multilayer short-stretch bandage system wrapped from the foot upwards; once swelling settles, a made-to-measure flat-knit compression garment is worn, usually for several weeks. Most people return to desk work within a few days.

Results and limits

Change becomes visible within weeks and is usually assessed at 3–6 months. Lipoedema is chronic and compression and activity continue afterwards. Evidence for fat-reduction procedures in lipoedema is limited. Possible risks include bruising, numbness, fluid or blood collection, irregularity, burns, infection and, rarely, deep vein thrombosis or fat embolism.