Lipoedema is a chronic condition in which abnormal fat accumulates symmetrically in the legs and, in some cases, the arms, regardless of overall body weight. It predominantly affects women and is thought to have a hormonal and genetic basis, often developing or worsening during periods of hormonal change such as puberty, pregnancy or menopause. Unlike ordinary fat, lipoedema tissue is resistant to diet and exercise, meaning patients often lose weight from the upper body while the affected limbs remain disproportionately enlarged.
Common features of lipoedema include enlarged hips, thighs and lower legs, a distinct transition at the ankles or wrists where normal tissue begins, easy bruising, skin tenderness, pain, heaviness and swelling that typically worsens throughout the day. Because these symptoms can resemble obesity or lymphoedema, accurate diagnosis is essential before treatment is considered.
For appropriately selected patients, liposuction for lipoedema can significantly reduce pain, improve mobility, restore body proportions and enhance quality of life by removing the abnormal fat deposits responsible for many of the condition’s symptoms. Under the care of Mr Hazim Sadideen, Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon in central London, treatment is carefully tailored to your diagnosis, disease stage, anatomy and long-term goals.
Suitability is determined through a thorough consultation and clinical assessment. Generally, good candidates are women with a confirmed or strongly suspected diagnosis of lipoedema who are experiencing pain, restricted mobility or significant quality of life impairment. Candidates should be at or near a stable weight, with weight optimisation undertaken where appropriate, and in good overall physical and psychological health. Non-smokers, or those willing to stop smoking prior to and following surgery, and patients committed to post-operative compression therapy and long-term conservative management, are generally well suited to treatment.
Mr Sadideen places strong emphasis on appropriate patient selection. In some cases, further imaging to assess lymphatic function will be requested before a surgical decision is made.
Mr Sadideen uses tumescent liposuction for lipoedema, a technique in which a saline solution containing local anaesthetic and adrenaline is infiltrated into the affected tissue before fat removal. This reduces blood loss, minimises discomfort and supports more precise, controlled fat removal while protecting surrounding structures including lymphatic vessels.
The approach is adapted to each patient’s disease stage, the areas affected and the volume of tissue to be addressed. Surgery is typically performed under general anaesthetic and may be staged across more than one session where large volumes or multiple areas are involved.
Incisions used for liposuction are small and placed discreetly wherever possible. While minor scarring is inevitable, marks are typically very small and fade significantly over time. A structured scar care protocol is provided as part of your aftercare plan.
Mr Hazim Sadideen is a board-certified and FRCS-qualified consultant plastic surgeon specialising in aesthetic, reconstructive and regenerative plastic surgery. His approach is grounded in clinical evidence, meticulous surgical technique and personalised planning.
Patients choose Mr Sadideen for his:
Recovery varies depending on the areas treated and the volume of fat removed. In general, patients can expect swelling, bruising and mild to moderate discomfort in the first one to two weeks, with compression garments worn continuously for several weeks as directed. A return to light daily activities and desk-based work is typical within one to two weeks, and strenuous exercise and heavy lifting are avoided for four to six weeks. Gradual improvement in contour and symptoms develops over three to six months as swelling resolves.
Manual lymphatic drainage is recommended post-operatively to support healing and optimise outcomes. Specific aftercare instructions are tailored individually to your surgical plan.
All surgery carries risk, and liposuction for lipoedema is no exception. Potential risks include swelling, bruising and temporary numbness, contour irregularities or asymmetry, infection or haematoma, and changes in skin sensation. In patients with coexisting lymphatic dysfunction, there is a risk of worsening lymphatic drainage.
These risks are discussed in full during consultation. Mr Sadideen’s careful patient selection, surgical technique and multidisciplinary approach are specifically designed to minimise them.
Depending on your anatomy and goals, liposuction for lipoedema may be combined with liposuction to other body areas, skin tightening procedures where significant laxity remains following fat removal, or scar revision. This is assessed on an individual basis and discussed fully during your consultation.
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