Lipedema assessment in Abu Dhabi

Painful, tender legs or arms that feel out of proportion to the rest of your body deserve a careful assessment. Lipedema can cause heaviness, easy bruising and difficulty with everyday activity. Similar symptoms can also arise from other conditions, including venous disease or lymphoedema, so appearance alone does not establish a diagnosis.

At your consultation with Dr. Miguel Bravo at Elyzee Hospital, we review your symptoms, health history, previous treatments and examination findings before discussing a plan.

Treatment options before and alongside surgery

Care may include individually fitted compression, suitable movement and exercise, and support for pain, weight management or associated swelling. Compression and symptom-directed therapy do not remove fat; movement and weight management can support your health and function. Surgery may be considered when symptoms remain troublesome despite appropriate conservative care. The decision depends on symptoms, function and surgical fitness, rather than stage alone.

Request an assessment of your symptoms and treatment options.

How Dr. Bravo approaches lipedema surgery

Treatment may involve the legs, arms or both, sometimes across separate operations. Dr. Bravo uses ultrasound guidance during liposuction alongside tissue- and lymphatic-sparing surgical principles. The aim is careful fat reduction while limiting injury to surrounding structures. Ultrasound does not eliminate surgical risks or establish that every lymphatic vessel can be seen and protected.

Expected benefits and limitations

Surgery aims to reduce troublesome tissue and improve comfort, movement and proportion. The degree of improvement varies. Lipedema is not inevitably progressive, and liposuction cannot promise a cure or prevent every future change. Some symptoms and a need for ongoing conservative care may remain.

Recovery and ongoing care

• Plan practical support: time away from work, driving and exercise depends on the areas treated, the number of operations and your progress. These are separate milestones, not a single recovery date.

• Follow your care plan: compression, wound care, movement and any prescribed lymphatic therapy are tailored to your postoperative findings.

• Allow time to settle: bruising, tenderness and swelling are expected after liposuction; recovery and the final contour develop gradually.

Risks include bleeding, infection, contour irregularities, altered sensation, persistent swelling or lymphatic injury. Blood clots, fat embolism and fluid-related complications are less common but serious risks that require individual assessment and prevention planning.

For background on symptoms and diagnosis, read our lipedema guide. Bring previous assessments, a medication list and details of compression or other treatments you have tried to your consultation.

Further information

S2k Lipoedema Guideline (2024), AWMF 037-012 · NICE: Liposuction for chronic lipoedema, condition and treatment