There are several different liposuction techniques, such as laser, radio frequency and ultrasound-assisted liposuction. They all use blunt suction cannulas that are gentler on the lymphatic vessels. Each specialist surgeon/clinic will have their own specific technique, access criteria and clinical procedures in place. 

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Dependent on technique the procedure can be performed under a general or local anaesthetic. Anyone considering liposuction should do further research into the procedure and consider likely benefits, risks, techniques used, location of clinic, costs etc. The NHS do not currently undertake this procedure for lipoedema but it may be available for individuals with lymphoedema where deemed appropriate. 
 

See current The National Institute for Heath and Care Excellence (NICE) Interventional procedures guidelines:

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Liposuction for chronic lipoedema:
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ipg721

Liposuction for chronic lymphoedema:
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ipg723
Further information: 
 

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Other information on liposuction in lipoedema:

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The UK Best Practice Guidelines for the Management of Lipoedema advise that surgical options may be appropriate for some patients with Lipoedema but very few patients have had liposuction treatment with the NHS. Many women with lipoedema seek private surgery options in Europe, many in Germany where there are many more surgeons undertaking the procedure for the management of lipoedema. Unfortunately, this results in many women having to take on financial burden in borrowing large sums of money from friends, family or taking out loans to fund the treatment and this was highlighted in Lipoedema UKs 2019 report on surgery.

 

Lipoedema UK’s ‘Living with lipoedema- liposuction and other treatments’ Survey (May 2021) was completed by 933 women with lipoedema. The survey asked 104 questions focusing on diagnosis and services provision, symptoms and impact on quality of life, motivation, pre-and post-liposuction experiences, treatment effectiveness and outcomes of non-cosmetic liposuction. There were two main ‘pathways’ within the survey, depending on whether the respondent had undergone liposuction or not. The survey highlighted that many women gave positive self-reported outcomes of liposuction and that their symptoms and quality of life had improved following the procedure.

Data from Lipoedema UK’s 2021 survey was used to compile Lipoedema UK’s response to the NICE ongoing review of Non-Cosmetic Liposuction and our Chair Sharie Fetzer and Patron Dr Kristiana Gordon, sat as experts in the “Interventional Procedures Advisory Committee” meeting held on 12th August 2021.

 

Read more -Click on the front page below to download the full report. 
Add image here….

 

 https://www.lipoedema.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/LUK-NCL-Bklt-Sept21-WEBv9.pdf

However, in 2022 The National Institute for health and Care Excellence (NICE) published ‘Liposuction for chronic lipoedema – Interventional procedures guidance (IPG721) https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ipg721 

which stated that the evidence on the efficacy safety of Liposuction for chronic lipoedema is inadequate and should only be used in the context of ‘research only’. 

However, there are a growing number of personal testimonials and studies that show that many patients experience enormous benefits and improved quality of life from non-cosmetic liposuction for lipoedema.
It is important to consider that several researchers (Dadras 2017, Kruppa et al 2022, Podda et al 2022) etc. who have highlighted the benefits of liposuction in lipoedema management; in the reduction of pain, tissue bulk and other symptoms and an improved function and quality of life. NICE acknowledge that their guidance on liposuction will be reviewed when a randomised controlled trial has been undertaken in Germany is published possibly in 2025.