New procedure helps those suffering from lipedema

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Some women just can't lose weight and for the estimated 11 percent of women with a chronic disorder, diet and exercise won't help at all. Now, there is a new procedure doctors are using that can help restore their appearance.

Victoria Albano, 45, knows what some people think when they see her; that she just gave up on herself. "All this working out and exercising and all this taking care of myself wasn't doing anything," Albano told ABC30.

When she was in her thirties she noticed her arms, and especially her legs, were getting disproportionately bigger. No one knew why until a doctor treating her for an unrelated injury said the word "lipedema," a genetic issue affecting the tissue in her limbs. No one is sure what causes it, but doctors think female hormones play a role.

Dr. David Greuner of the NYC Surgical Associates knows how serious lipedema can get. "Lipedema can get bad enough where the patient is basically bed bound," he said.

Dr. Greuner uses a new, liposuction-like procedure to remove the dysfunctional fat cells, making small incisions in the legs. Doctors can first flush the fat then suck it away while leaving the vessels intact. "We can't remove all the lipedemanous fat, ok, it's not possible, but we can significantly decrease the burden," Dr. Greuner told ABC30.

Albano will have her surgery soon and is excited to have her life and her limbs back. Once a patient has the lipedema surgery it will take about a year to 18 months to see the full effect of the slimming.

Doctors also say certain lymphedema patients who suffer swollen arms because of mastectomy may benefit from the procedure as well.

For more information, please contact:

Gary Grasso
GARYGRASSOPR@YAHOO.COM
626-698-2213