LipedemaCenter Central Switzerland

We will take excellent care of you – You are important to us !

At the LipedemaCenter Central Switzerland LZZ, we can offer our patients the entire diagnostic spectrum as well as conservative and surgical treatment options with state-of-the-art technical equipment.

Definition of the disease

Lipedema is a chronic and usually progressive pathological fat distribution disorder that often occurs in normal-weight young women due to a disproportion between a slender upper body and a strong lower half of the body. Lipedema is always accompanied by sensitivity to touch or pronounced pressure pain. In addition, there is often a tendency for swelling and bruising in the affected areas of the body when only lightly bumped.

The changes in the legs and arms always occur symmetrically. They can extend from the pelvis to the ankles, but can also affect only the upper or lower leg or upper and/or lower arm.

Patients very often suffer for a long time and feel severely restricted in their quality of life. On the one hand, this is the result of the disproportionate appearance, i.e. the disproportion between a very slim upper body and voluminous, strong legs and partly upper arms. On the other hand, those affected suffer – especially in warm weather, after prolonged standing or sitting, as well as in the evening – from an unpleasant feeling of tension with pronounced pain and pressure when touched.

Lipedema can be differentiated from other diagnoses as follows:

Stages of lipedema

Lipedema treatment

Plenty of exercise, sporting activities and a carbohydrate-reduced, high-protein diet can have a beneficial effect on lipedema. Conservative treatment of lipedema with manual lymphatic drainage and regular wearing of flat-knitted compression tights (class II) can often relieve the symptoms of swelling and pain. Conservative treatment can ease everyday life but does not stop the progression of lipedema.

If conservative therapy does not result in acceptable symptom improvement or if further volume increase is noted, the option of surgery is available. Ideally, however, a patient should first be accompanied by an angiologist and observe the conservative course for several months before deciding on a possible surgical intervention. In order to permanently alleviate the symptoms, the surgical reduction of fatty tissue in the form of liposuction under tumescent local anesthesia with fine vibrating cannulas has proven to be effective. With this technique, up to 85% of the fatty tissue in the affected areas is suctioned out, sparing the blood and lymph vessels as much as possible.

We perform the surgical therapy in the operating rooms of the Hirslanden Klinik St. Anna in Meggen, using the highest level of professional expertise, with anesthesiological support in tumescent local anesthesia and under inpatient conditions. Around 150 such operations are performed here every year, carried out by Dr. Birgit Wörle herself. At present, it is possible to apply to the health insurance company for reimbursement of the costs of surgical therapy after conservative therapy has been carried out for more than 12 months, accompanied by an independent specialist, and after submission of documentation of an insufficient effect on the existing pain symptoms. Further information on the disease: lipedema and on the LipedemaCenter Central Switzerland can be found on the following websites:

LipedemaCenter Central Switzerland – St. Anna in Meggen (hirslanden.ch)

Lipedema – Dr. med. Birgit Wörle Fat distribution disorder, arms, legs (dr-birgit-woerle.ch)

Or simply call and make a personal consultation appointment.
The team of the LipedemaCenter Central Switzerland will be happy to assist you.

Team

LipedemaCenter Central Switzerland

Birgit Wörle, M.D.
Dermatologist FMH, Phlebologist (D), Certificate of Competence in Laser Medicine FMCH, Practice Laboratory KHM

Fabienne Bucher
Medical Practice Assistant (MPA)

Tanja Bucher
Medical Practice Assistant (MPA, MLA)

Karin Hufschmid
Medical Practice Assistant (PA)