Lipedema creates a host of symptoms in your body – from swelling to heaviness and pain. It’s normal at your point of frustration to ask, is surgery my only option?
No.. it’s not. Although surgery is a route one can take and one we’re not against, our goal is to provide you with various alternatives to think on and consider. There are many corrective measures that will greatly reduce your symptoms – creating a holistic approach. You are able to make shifts within your lifestyle, and apply these treatments first and still keep surgery in mind. Compression garments being one of the most important and helpful in symptom management.

Compression garments are specifically designed medical textiles that apply controlled pressure to certain areas of the body. They improve circulation, support lymphatic and venous function, and reduce swelling. We often see these garments being used to manage lymphedema and prevent fluid buildup – think compression socks on a plane.

In lipedema, these garments are utilized in two ways: first as treatment via control of inflammation and increasing mobility (can reduce the need for surgery) and second as pre and post surgical care assisting in the healing process and bettering the results and outcomes of surgery.

Compression garments exert graduated pressure – highest at the ankle or wrist and gradually decreasing upward moving lymphatic fluids toward central drainage points. This minimizes tissue fibrosis and discomfort while supporting muscle function and joint stability. As the patient wears the garments regularly and consistently, they will experience fewer flare-ups and better mobility allowing them to enjoy their day-to-day life.

Flat-knit is firmer with less stretch whereas circular knit is more giving. Think of a circular knit as a pair of yoga pants or pantyhouse with medical compression and seamless. We prefer flat-knit garments for lipedema because it accommodates a wide variety of shapes and provides more consistent pressure on your tissues. It’s individualized, “made to measure” requiring precision and advanced knowledge of garment fitting, as well as a highly technological manufacturing process.

During your journey of treating and understanding lipedema you will realize that everyone is unique and every body type is different. We recommend custom garments to best align when addressing the issue allowing for better long-term results. We are happy to guide and assess you with styles, designs and brands of both custom and ready-to-wear products.

Let’s sum up what we have discovered here. Lipedema can be treated holistically and in most cases surgery is not necessary (we do not oppose it). Wearing garments is one part of the treatment plan and we recommend investing in flat-knit custom-made garments to reduce inflammation. To improve overall well-being we also suggest using them in combination with other treatment methods such as manual lymphatic drainage if the lymphedema component exists. In cases of lipedema without lymphedema, MLD can offer a soothing and relaxing effect on the body, though it may not promote lymphatic drainage, as there is typically no excess fluid trapped in the tissues. We are committed to providing you with guidance, support and knowledge to better treat your specific manifestation of lipedema.