Lipedema

Conveniently located to serve the areas of San Antonio, Boerne and McAllen, TX

Lipedema New Life Cosmetic Surgery & Medspa, Dr. Daniel Lee

Lipedema is a medical condition that causes an uneven distribution of fat and/or fluid to build up around the body, particularly in the limbs. (1) This condition is often misdiagnosed, but is believed to affect nearly 11% of adult women, with differences in prevalence worldwide. (2) While there is not a cure for lipedema currently, liposuction is often offered as a method to effectively and safely remove amassed fat and fluid from around your body, both alleviating discomfort and enhancing your appearance.

At New Life Cosmetic Surgery & Medspa, Dr. Daniel Lee is known for providing innovative, tailored treatments to help his patients achieve their goals. Dr. Lee is a board-certified cosmetic surgeon who has helped many patients see improvements in their lipedema symptoms with liposuction.

To schedule your consultation with Dr. Lee, we invite you to submit our online contact form. If you have any questions or prefer scheduling over the phone, please call the office most convenient to you:

About Lipedema

Lipedema is a chronic condition that is characterized by the disproportionate accumulation of fat and/or fluid around the body, particularly in the arms and legs. This condition primarily affects women and is considered to develop as a result of genetic predisposition. (3) This condition is often misunderstood and misdiagnosed, often being mistaken for obesity or other medical conditions. There are several ways that lipedema can be treated, with one of the most effective methods being liposuction. Liposuction can be performed at any stage of lipedema, helping you eliminate both your pain and your tissue/fluid buildup. (4)

Stages of Lipedema

Lipedema can be classified into four different stages:

  • Stage I: The skin may appear smooth and normal, but hard nodules of fat can be felt under the skin. During this stage, you may bruise easily, experience pain, or experience tenderness in affected areas.
  • Stage II: The skin will start to become uneven and appear dimpled or indented. Bruising can become more frequent, and you may experience an increase in pain or sensitivity.
  • Stage III: The skin may develop protruding bulges of skin or fat around affected areas as accumulated fat becomes more inflamed. The affected extremities may appear straight or cylindrical, and your mobility and joint function may become more limited.
  • Stage IV: Fluid buildup will start to occur alongside fat buildup as the lymphatic system is impaired. The skin will start to thicken further, and more swelling will occur. (4)

Dr. Lee can help you determine the current stage of your lipedema and tailor your procedure plan accordingly.

About Liposuction

Liposuction is a surgical body-contouring procedure that removes excess fat from around the body. Formally known as suction-assisted lipectomy, this procedure is one of the most commonly performed aesthetic surgical procedures worldwide, and is also considered one of the key surgical techniques for managing lipedema. (5)

Liposuction consists of using a thin, suctioning tube to help remove deposits of stubborn fat that do not respond to traditional weight-loss methods, such as regular exercise or dieting. At New Life Cosmetic Surgery & Medspa, Dr. Lee offers two variations of liposuction:

  • Suction-Assisted Liposuction (SAL): Also known as a tumescent liposuction, this variation of liposuction simply uses a thin cannula to help remove and suction out fat. Suction-assisted liposuction is the most widely used liposuction technique. (5)

Benefits

Choosing to treat your lipedema with liposuction offers several advantages that can enhance your daily comfort and quality of life. Under Dr. Lee’s expert care, patients can benefit through:

  • Pain Alleviation: Removing accumulated fat from around your body can help decrease any discomfort or heaviness experienced in your limbs, allowing you to perform your daily functions more effectively and efficiently.
  • Improved Mobility: Following your procedure, it may become easier to engage in physically active activities, which can help you achieve a healthier lifestyle overall.
  • Enhanced Proportions: Our lipedema treatment can help you address the stubborn fat accumulated around your body, enhancing the balance and proportions of your figure.
  • Better Lymphatic Function: Reducing the fat in your body can alleviate pressure on your lymphatic system, improving your fluid circulation.
  • Quick Recovery: In comparison to other surgical procedures, those who undergo liposuction often experience a quicker recovery period. This can help you return to your schedule sooner with fewer disruptions.
  • Lasting Results: With the proper lifestyle habits, the results of our lipedema treatment are designed to be long-lasting, allowing you to reap the rewards of your procedure for years to come.

Candidates

Candidates for lipedema treatment consist of either men or women who are experiencing fluid retention and/or the accumulation of fatty tissue around their arms or lower body due to lipedema. Interested patients should be in otherwise good general health and have realistic expectations regarding the outcome of this procedure. Patients should be nonsmokers or willing to quit using nicotine throughout their treatment and recovery. Dr. Lee will determine each individual’s candidacy for our lipedema treatment during their consultation.

Personal Consultation

At our practice, we ask that you attend a personal consultation at either one of our offices before beginning treatment. Dr. Lee will meet with you to get to know you more personally and understand how we can best help you. He will explain what our lipedema treatment consists of and learn more about your medical history, areas of concern, and your treatment goals. He will also examine the areas of your body experiencing fluid and/or fat buildup, as well as your overall anatomy.

The information discussed with Dr. Lee will be used to determine whether or not liposuction is the correct treatment for you and to develop your personalized treatment plan. Once the details of your treatment plan are finalized, Dr. Lee will prepare and provide you with a set of personalized preparation and recovery instructions. You will also receive a comprehensive cost estimate for your lipedema treatment.

Submit our online contact form to schedule your consultation with Dr. Lee. If you have any questions or prefer scheduling over the phone, please call your closest New Life office:

Preparation

To prepare for your lipedema treatment, you may be asked to discontinue using medications and supplements with blood-thinning properties. You will need to stop using nicotine, if applicable, several weeks before your treatment, and alcohol consumption should also be avoided several days before and after your appointment. We ask that you arrange transportation home from the procedure and take time away from work and other commitments to focus on your recovery. During your consultation, Dr. Lee will provide you with tailored instructions to help you prepare for your procedure.

Procedure

When you arrive for your appointment, you will be led to a private procedure room where your skin will be cleansed and sanitized. You will be placed under IV (intravenous) conscious sedation to minimize any discomfort. This means that you will be able to breathe on your own without assistance, but will be asleep throughout your procedure.

Dr. Lee will place small incisions in treatment areas before administering a tumescent fluid. The fluid consists of saline, epinephrine, and lidocaine to help minimize bleeding, numb the treatment areas, and swell the fat cells for easier removal. (5) A small cannula is then inserted to emulsify the fat and fluids and suction them out.

The duration of your procedure will vary depending on the details of your specific procedure plan, but it typically takes between two and four hours to complete.

Recovery

Lipedema New Life Cosmetic Surgery & Medspa, Dr. Daniel Lee

During the initial healing period, you may experience tenderness or swelling in the treatment area. These side effects typically dissipate on their own within several weeks, but may also be managed using pain medication or a cold compress. Dr. Lee will provide you with a faja compression garment to wear throughout your recovery. It is very important to wear the compression garment as it is designed to help minimize swelling and protect the treated areas. Undergoing lymphatic massages as early as one day after your procedure will also help you decrease inflammation, reduce pain, and lead to the best aesthetic results. Dr. Lee can provide you with a list of recommended massage centers upon request.

You may be able to return to work after several weeks, but you will need to continue avoiding more physical or high-impact activities until you have been cleared by Dr. Lee. Any further recovery instructions will be discussed and provided during your consultation.

Results

You may notice immediate improvements following your treatment, but the full results will become more noticeable after you have made a complete recovery. After your treatment, you will be able to enjoy long-lasting relief, as well as an improvement in mobility. Your figure will also appear more proportionate and balanced, allowing you to feel more confident.

It is important to note that lipedema is a chronic condition, and that over time, you may experience new fat or fluid accumulating in previously treated areas. Dr. Lee can help develop a treatment plan to help you manage your condition long-term, allowing you to live your life more freely.

Cost of Lipedema Treatments in San Antonio

The cost of lipedema treatment can vary, as each procedure plan is tailored around your needs, goals, and anatomy. The surgical techniques utilized, the extent of the treatment, desired results, facility fees, and a handful of other factors are all considered when pricing your treatment. Dr. Lee will discuss the cost of your procedure once he has evaluated your medical history and anatomy.

New Life Cosmetic Surgery & Medspa also offers several flexible financing options to help make our services more accessible.

Schedule your consultation today to explore your lipedema treatment options. If you have any questions, please call your closest office directly:

FAQ

How soon will I see the results of my lipedema treatment?

Most patients notice immediate improvements after their procedure; however, significant changes will become more apparent after several weeks as swelling decreases.

Will liposuction permanently cure my lipedema?

While liposuction can relieve you of your symptoms and improve your aesthetic appearance, it is not a permanent cure for your condition. You will still need to manage your condition using other strategies, such as lifestyle changes.

Are there any risks involved with treating my lipedema with liposuction?

With any procedure, there will be certain risks, such as infection or aesthetic dissatisfaction. Each risk and its associated complication will be explained to you during your personal consultation.

How long will the results of my procedure last?

The results of your lipedema treatment are designed to be long-lasting, but you must maintain a healthy lifestyle to preserve its effects. Fluctuations in weight gain may lead to fat redistribution, affecting the appearance of your results.

References

  1. Kruppa P, Georgiou I, Biermann N, Prantl L, Klein-Weigel P, Ghods M. Lipedema—pathogenesis, Diagnosis and Treatment Options. Deutsches Aerzteblatt Online. 2020;117(22-23). doi:https://doi.org/10.3238/arztebl.2020.0396
  2. Peprah K, MacDougall D. Liposuction for the Treatment of Lipedema: A Review of Clinical Effectiveness and Guidelines. Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health; 2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545818/
  3. Vyas A, Adnan G. Lipedema. Nih.gov. Published January 30, 2023. Accessed August 4, 2025. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK573066/#article-131051.s9
  4. Amato AC, Amato JL, Benitti D. Efficacy of Liposuction in the Treatment of Lipedema: A Meta-Analysis. Cureus. Published online February 29, 2024. doi:https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.55260
  5. Bartow MJ, Raggio BS. Liposuction. PubMed. Published 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563135/