Patients can seek the removal of their breast implants for a variety of reasons.  You may no longer want a large breast size and prefer to return to your original aesthetic breast size or there might be medical reasons such as an implant malfunction. 

You can choose to remove your breast implants with an en bloc capsulectomy. This surgical procedure has been performed successfully over the years. Plastic surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey provides breast implant removal to patients in Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia, and surrounding locations.

What is En Bloc Capsulectomy?

En bloc capsulectomy is a surgical procedure that will remove a part or the entire breast implant capsule. This procedure is usually performed after the patient has developed complications from a previous surgery, or she desires to have the implants extracted from her body.

The en bloc capsulectomy removes both the implant and the capsule simultaneously. This allows the tissue and the muscles of the breast to settle back to their previous position for a more natural looking appearance.

En bloc is sometimes referred to as a total capsulectomy. While both types of surgical techniques involve the removal of the breast implant and a part, or the entire the capsule that surrounds the breast, they are not the same procedure.

Types of Capsulectomy

En bloc, a French term means “as a whole”. As the name suggests, an “en bloc capsulectomy” refers to the removal of the entire breast implant along with the scar tissue capsule as a single unit. The cosmetic surgeon makes an incision around this entity with the capsule enclosing the implant and removes it without causing any damage to the body.

This surgical procedure makes sure that the silicone stays inside the capsule while being removed. This prevents the bacteria and the chemicals from leaking inside the patient’s body without causing any contamination to the body. 

Partial capsulectomy, or a capsulectomy  is a technique that corrects capsular contracture and takes out only part of the scar tissue. 

Total capsulectomy eliminates the entire scar tissue, together with the tissue around the implant along the lungs and the ribs. In this procedure the surgeon will first remove the implants and then take out the entire capsule tissue.

Partial capsulotomy can be done as an opened or closed surgery. The open procedure involves the capsule being partially or completely removed through an incision within the area of the breast. In the closed surgical procedure the surgeon will break down the capsule tissue while leaving the implant in place. This approach has the possibility of rupturing the breast implant.

Benefits of En Bloc Capsulectomy

This surgical technique offers several benefits:

• You are more comfortable in your own skin
• You can feel the natural softness of your breasts
• Improved streamline silhouette and form
• You can switch to more comfortable bras
• You can easily participate in several strenuous activities 
• Better sleep positions
• Transformed and better body image 

How do I Know if I am a Suitable Candidate? 

Any woman who wishes to change her breast implants and is in good overall health is an ideal candidate for the en bloc capsulectomy. There are several reasons why you can consider an en bloc capsulectomy surgery:

• Not satisfied with the appearance of your breasts
• Shifting and asymmetry of the existing implant
• Medical complications from having scar tissue around the breast Implant
• Deposits of calcium in the breasts
• Deflation or rupture of an implant
• A breast cancer diagnosis

Plastic surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey receives patients from Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia, and nearby areas for breast implant removal.

For more information on procedures and treatments offered by Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Paul McCluskey and the Plastic Surgery Institute of Atlanta, visit:

• psiatlanta.com
• sexualaesthetics.com

Serving patients in and around Atlanta, Buckhead,  Roswell, Marietta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

It is difficult to find a cosmetic surgeon who can efficiently accomplish your explant surgery because it can be a more complex procedure than breast implants. If you have already had an undesirable experience with your breast implant procedure, it is essential to look for a surgeon that can remove your implants judiciously. 

Your surgeon should be able to reduce any silicone leakage or handle any other problem during the surgery effectively.

You should try to look for a surgeon who understands that the breast implant procedure can at times cause severe health problems. These surgeons will be more cautious during your implant removal surgery. Plastic surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey provides breast implant removal to patients in Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia, and surrounding locations.

En Bloc Removal

It is vital to find an explant surgeon who has experience in en bloc removal. En bloc removal is a procedure where your surgeon will remove the scar tissue (or capsule) and the implant simultaneously, with the implant still inside the intact scar tissue capsule. This matters if your implants are damaged, filled with silicone gel, or are quite old.

The surgical procedure ensures that the silicone and other chemicals stay inside the intact scar tissue capsule when it is removed. En block removal stops bacteria silicone and other chemicals from leaking into the patient’s body during surgery. It requires a larger cut (which results in a larger scar), but it is worth it because it checks leakage that can cause a number of health problems. 

You should remember that en bloc removal may not be feasible in all cases, and your cosmetic surgeon may not know if this procedure can be performed until you are in surgery. For instance, this procedure is not possible if your scar tissue capsule is extremely thin or is attached tightly to your chest wall.

Skilled and Compassionate Surgeon

Dr. Paul McCluskey is the owner and the founder of the Plastic Surgery Institute of Atlanta. He specializes in plastic/aesthetic and reconstructive surgery of the breast, nose, face and body. He graduated from the University of Mississippi and accomplished an internship in Anesthesiology.

At the time of his internship Dr. McCluskey’s mother had to go through a mastectomy along with reconstructive breast surgery for breast cancer. The breast reconstruction played a vital role in her recovery from this shocking diagnosis. This significantly motivated Dr. McCluskey. He decided to alter his career path and invested time to study more about breast reconstruction surgery.

Qualifications and Experience 

He assisted several ongoing research projects with Drs Bill Lineaweaver and John McCraw in the Plastic Surgery division at University of Mississippi. Dr. McCluskey completed a five year residency in General Surgery. 

As Chief Resident, his research on breast reconstruction was published and he presented his research at a number of local as well as national meetings. He was also chosen to enter the extremely competitive Plastic Surgery residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

Dr. McCluskey is appreciated for his hard work as an educator of residents and medical students. He was also a multi-year recipient of Resident of the Year awards. He is the author of many peer-reviewed journal articles on a number of topics including breast reconstruction, breast lift and breast reduction, cosmetic surgery, and facial reconstruction after skin cancer.

Plastic surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey receives patients from Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia, and nearby areas for breast implant removal.

For more information on procedures and treatments offered by Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Paul McCluskey and the Plastic Surgery Institute of Atlanta, visit:

• psiatlanta.com
• sexualaesthetics.com

Serving patients in and around Atlanta, Buckhead,  Roswell, Marietta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

At any stage after their breast enhancement procedure, a woman may consider breast implant removal surgery due to cosmetic, emotional, and health reasons. It is vital for women seeking a breast implant removal procedure to be in decent overall health and not be pregnant or nursing.

Plastic surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey provides breast implant removal to patients in Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia, and surrounding locations.

Removal due to Unsuitable Implants

The primary breast augmentation cosmetic surgery may not always offer outcomes that are satisfactory for the patients. This may happen due to a variety of reasons, such as inappropriate implant size, shape, or type.

In exceptional cases, following the implant surgery, the woman may feel that she was more satisfied with her primary breast shape, or that the new bigger implants are impeding her ability to perform specific tasks.

Women experiencing such problems may be good candidates for breast implant removal surgery. Sometimes the woman may be unhappy with the size, shape, or type of her breast implants. 

The patient may find that the implants are excessively large or too small, or the shape or profile may be undesirable to her. Breast implant removal surgery may be an appropriate option for such women. At times, the patient may decide to get a new, more suitable implant after implant removal.

The FDA approved silicone breast implants a few years after saline implants received approval. Some patients may decide to undergo saline implant removal and subsequent replacement of those with silicone implants. 

Surgical Complications requiring Removal

A woman may sometimes experience complications associated with breast implants after her breast augmentation plastic surgery. This may occur at any time after the procedure.

The risk of complications is significantly reduced in the hands of a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon. However, complications may still occur, even after the primary procedure.

Capsular contracture develops when the scar tissue around the implant becomes tighter. To address this condition, the patient will need to undergo scar tissue or implant removal.

On top of this, they may choose to undergo implant replacement following the removal procedure. Implants may rupture, leak, or deflate due to natural wear and tear or a defect in the implant.

Hormonal changes, or the thinning of skin across the breasts may cause implant rippling. At times, the breast implant may move from its original placement, causing a lop-sided look. Patients with this condition will need to undergo breast implant surgery.

Other Candidates for Breast Implant Removal

In addition, there are other reasons for which breast implant removal surgery may be undertaken. A cancer diagnosis may require the patient to undergo breast implant removal to ensure that cancer treatment can be more effective. Changes in aesthetic preferences or lifestyles may also prompt some women to seek breast implant removal surgery.

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey receives patients from Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia, and nearby areas for breast implant removal.

For more information on procedures and treatments offered by Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Paul McCluskey and the Plastic Surgery Institute of Atlanta, visit:

• psiatlanta.com
• sexualaesthetics.com

Serving patients in and around Atlanta, Buckhead,  Roswell, Marietta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Saline or silicone breast implant removal plastic surgery may be a suitable option for women who are dissatisfied with the results of their breast augmentation surgery, or when complications with breast implants manifest themselves. 

In case the primary breast implant placement was performed inaccurately, it may be necessary for the patient to undergo implant revision surgery. Incorrect placement or strain from scar tissue can cause breast implants to become displaced or constricted. 

The procedure may be necessary if the implants rupture or deflate due to an injury or a defective implant. In case of an infection, breast implants may also need to be removed. Plastic surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey provides breast implant removal to patients in Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia, and surrounding communities.

What happens during breast implant removal surgery?

Before breast implant revision surgery, the surgeon will assess the reasons for the breast enhancement complications and recommend a course of treatment to the patient. In case the patient decides to have silicone or saline breast implants with a more suitable implant type, the replacement procedure will be performed during the breast implant removal surgery. 

If the patient chooses to undergo breast implant replacement, the surgeon will advise them about additional cosmetic surgery options such as a breast lift, which can be performed simultaneously with the revision surgery. 

The surgeon will likely perform the procedure using general anesthesia or intravenous sedation. The surgeon will place an incision in one of the following sites to access the implants:

• Around the areola
• Right underneath the armpit
• Under the breast fold
• In rare cases, through the navel

The incisions for breast implant removal are usually the same as the ones placed during the original breast augmentation surgery. The surgeon will typically also remove scar tissue along with the breast implant during this surgery. 

Saline Breast Implant Removal

The surgeon may deflate the implant before removing it during saline revision surgery to allow easier removal. Following the implant removal, the surgeon will eliminate scar tissue from the primary augmentation procedure. 

New implant placement or breast lift surgery will be performed immediately after the implant removal. The surgery takes between 30 to 45 minutes to complete. Following the procedure, the patient will remain in the hospital for a few hours for observation.

Silicone Breast Implant Removal

It is possible for a ruptured silicone implant to go undetected. Therefore, the surgeon will manually examine the implant for any signs of damage or rupture prior to removing it during silicone revision surgery. This minimizes any risks related to the breast implant procedure.

Implant removal may be more complicated than the primary enhancement procedure, particularly when the outer shell is textured or foam covered. Sometimes the surgeon may have to remove the surrounding tissue and muscles in addition to the implant.

The time taken to complete the removal surgery depends on whether other procedures are being undertaken at the same time. During the removal, the patient can also receive breast implant replacement, scar revision, or a breast lift. It typically takes under one hour to remove silicone breast implants.

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey receives patients from Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia, and nearby areas for breast implant removal.

For more information on procedures and treatments offered by Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Paul McCluskey and the Plastic Surgery Institute of Atlanta, visit:

• psiatlanta.com
• sexualaesthetics.com

Serving patients in and around Atlanta, Buckhead,  Roswell, Marietta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Breast implant revision cosmetic surgery is often more complicated than the original breast enhancement. For this reason, it is vital for patients to identify a highly skilled and experienced breast surgeon for this procedure. A woman can accomplish a higher sense of self-esteem and confidence with well-proportioned and enhanced breasts. 

However, in the hands of an inexperienced cosmetic surgeon, a patient faces the chances of adverse results, which can be disappointing. Plastic surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey provides breast implant revision to patients in Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia, and surrounding locations.

Customization

The primary goal of the surgeon in a procedure such as a breast implant revision should be to cause minimal tissue trauma, develop firm and shapely breasts through small and discreetly made incisions, and help the patient accomplish optimal outcomes with minimal downtime and discomfort.

Dr. McCluskey achieves these goals for his patients by creating and implementing a customized surgical plan that accounts for the patient’s concerns with her breast implants, her unique breast structure, and her personal cosmetic goals.  

Reviewing the Surgeon’s Website

Patients should review the surgeon’s site prior to their pre-op consultation. The website serves as a primary source of information about the surgeon’s background and practice. This allows for a more productive consultation. The patient should unhesitatingly ask questions or express doubts during the consultation. A responsible surgeon will clarify all concerns about the procedure enabling the patient to make a judicious decision.

Personal Rapport and Level of Comfort

The patient should also see how the surgeon and their administrative team make her feel. There is an inherent risk of complications in any surgical procedure, and this may cause obstructions in the woman’s journey to achieve her desired breast enhancement outcomes.

She should feel entirely at ease with her cosmetic surgeon and their staff. Therefore, the patient must work with a breast surgeon whom she trusts and feels completely comfortable with. 

The patient consider the below-mentioned questions:

• How does spending time with this cosmetic surgeon make me feel?
• Do I believe that this cosmetic surgeon will offer me recommendations on safe and effective procedures?
• Do I feel comfortable enough to freely ask this surgeon any questions or express doubts that I may have through the breast implant revision plastic surgery process?
• Will I be able to comfortably reveal my medical history and lifestyle habits to this breast surgeon?

Ask Questions during the Consultation

At the time of the pre-operative consultation with the surgeon, the patient should ideally go into the meeting with a ready list of questions. The patient can include the following areas in their list of questions during the initial consultation:

• Details on the surgeon’s background and qualifications
• The surgical venue where the procedure will be undertaken (make sure the breast implant revision is performed at a hospital, a surgical center, or an accredited private surgery suite)
• Emergency protocols
• Risks and complications involved in breast implant revision surgery
• The number of breast surgery procedures that the surgeon has performed previously
• Other options for breast implant revision
• Before and after pictures of previous patients

In case the patient feels that the surgeon is not forthcoming and transparent in offering her the required information on these facets, she should reconsider her choice of a cosmetic surgeon for her breast implant revision surgery. Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey receives patients from Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia, and nearby areas for breast implant revision.

For more information on procedures and treatments offered by Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Paul McCluskey and the Plastic Surgery Institute of Atlanta, visit:

• psiatlanta.com
• sexualaesthetics.com

Serving patients in and around Atlanta, Buckhead,  Roswell, Marietta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Patients seeking breast implant revision plastic surgery must consider the recovery process involved in the procedure. By avoiding any aggressive activities and following the surgeon’s instructions in a dedicated manner, patients can reduce the recovery duration involved in the procedure.

Plastic surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey provides breast implant revision to patients in Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia, and surrounding communities.

Post-Operative Recovery 

Surgeons typically direct their patients to limit their movement and get adequate rest following breast implant revision surgery. Patients should not lift, bend, or strain the incision sites since this can lead to slow recovery and increased discomfort. 

Patients who do not have to perform aggressive physical activities at work may return to their workplace in a week. However, if the patient’s work commitments are likely to cause excessive physical pressure, they may need to spend more time healing at home prior to resuming work. The surgeon can recommend a suitable time for the patient to restart her work safely.

The recovery duration may vary on the basis of whether the surgeon removes or replaces a breast implant in the revision procedure. In case the surgeon removes an implant, they will likely need to undertake a breast lift procedure as a part of the breast enhancement revision surgery, which may slightly prolong the healing process. 

The surgeon will provide the patient with special instructions to help them reduce the breast augmentation recovery duration as well as make it as comfortable as possible for the patient. If the patient follows the surgeon’s guidelines in a diligent manner, she can enjoy her breast enhancement revision surgery for many years to come.

The First Two Weeks

After the breast implant revision cosmetic surgery, the patient may experience discomfort for the first 24 to 48 hours. Patients typically report breast pain and fatigue during this time. 

The surgeon may prescribe pain medications to control the patient’s pain, but the state of tiredness and low energy may persist. Patients should ideally have a family member, friend, or professional caregiver assist them during this stage of their recovery.

The surgeon will apply gauze dressing to the patient’s breasts immediately after the surgery and remove the dressing after some days, replacing it with a surgical bra. If the surgeon uses sutures, they will remove these between seven to ten days after the procedure.

The Initial Few Months

The breasts will feel very sensitive for the first few days after breast enhancement revision surgery. The patient may experience swelling for up to five weeks. She should avoid any physical contact in the breast region until the sensitivity resolves to reduce the risk of injury and a prolonged recovery. Moreover, patients should engage in aggressive activities or exercise only after a month following the surgery.

It is important for the patient to allow her body to heal prior to resuming their regular physical activity level. If the patient does not allow herself adequate time to heal, it can damage the breasts, causing an even more prolonged recovery phase. 

These injuries can adversely affect the results of the surgery. Women considering breast enhancement revision should have an in-depth discussion on the recovery stage with their surgeon to gather a detailed comprehension of the time that they would need to invest in this procedure. 

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey receives patients from Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia, and nearby areas for breast implant revision.

For more information on procedures and treatments offered by Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Paul McCluskey and the Plastic Surgery Institute of Atlanta, visit:

• psiatlanta.com
• sexualaesthetics.com

Serving patients in and around Atlanta, Buckhead,  Roswell, Marietta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Breast implant revision surgery is meant to replace or remove breast implants in order to treat any complications associated with the original breast augmentation plastic surgery procedure. 

A major complication of breast enhancement surgery is capsular contracture, which typically necessitates breast implant revision to remove or replace damaged, distorted, leaking, or malpositioned implants. 

Breast implant revision surgery will be more complex in many cases in comparison to the primary procedure. In particular, breast implant removal may be accompanied by a breast lift to restore a youthful breast appearance. At the time of the pre-op consultation, the surgeon will explain the breast implant revision surgery steps to the patient. 

Plastic surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey provides breast implant revision to patients in Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia, and surrounding locations.

Saline Implants Removal

In breast implant revision surgery, the patient will typically have a choice to remove the implants or replace them with new ones. If saline implants are being removed, the surgeon will initially deflate the implant prior to removing it. Saline solution does not cause any harm to the body, which enables the surgeon to undertake this technique for less invasive implant removal. 

The surgeon will typically remove scar tissue along with the breast implant. The placement of new implants or breast lift surgery will be undertaken simultaneously after the primary implants have been removed. The revision surgery may be undertaken using general anesthesia or intravenous sedation and may take around one hour to complete.

Silicone Implants Removal

The surgeon will evaluate the silicone implant for any indications of damage before removing it. The objective is to prevent silicone gel leakage and minimize the risk. In case the breast implants are textured, their removal may be slightly more complicated. Sometimes, the tissue and muscle around the implant may also need to be removed. 

Breast lift, scar tissue removal, or implant replacement procedures will be undertaken at the same time following breast implant removal. The time taken to complete the procedure may differ depending on the type of procedures undertaken.

Replacement of Implants 

Breast implant replacement is quite similar to the original breast enhancement cosmetic surgery. Implant replacement options will be assessed after understanding the type of complications that may have occurred due to the primary implants. The original implant shape, size, positioning, or texture may have led to complications. 

Only after reviewing all facets, the surgeon will prepare a breast implant replacement plan. In case the patient was unhappy with the cosmetic results of the primary implants, the surgeon will typically recommend a different type and size of implant for the replacement surgery. The patient should evaluate the advantages and limitations of each implant option as well as consider the advanced ultra cohesive silicone implant options.

Recovery 

The recovery will be quicker and simpler in case of implant replacement, where the primary incisions are used to replace a similar size and type of implants. Implant removal may involve a more prolonged downtime as it may have to be undertaken in combination with breast lift surgery. A majority of women can expect to resume their routine activities in one to two weeks after the revision procedure.

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey receives patients from Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia, and nearby areas for breast implant revision.

For more information on procedures and treatments offered by Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Paul McCluskey and the Plastic Surgery Institute of Atlanta, visit:

• psiatlanta.com
• sexualaesthetics.com

Serving patients in and around Atlanta, Buckhead,  Roswell, Marietta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

For people with lipedema, it is vital to avoid substantial weight gain, and obesity as putting on weight will worsen the fatty inflammation. 

Some people find compression tights useful in this condition as they support the fatty swelling and may decrease the pain.

Lipedema does not have any single effective treatment. Symptom alleviation and prevention of the progression of the condition involves diet and nutrition, exercise, emotional support, and management of co-existing medical issues that may cause swelling in the legs.

The primary conservative treatment is complete decongestive therapy (also known as complex decongestive therapy, or CDT). CDT is a combination of various techniques, such as manual lymph drainage (a message technique), physical mobilization, and compression therapy. 

If conservative and support therapies are not effective, surgery may be considered. Surgical options may include liposuction using specialized approaches for lipedema (such as water jet-assisted liposuction) and excision (surgical elimination of large deposits of impacted tissue).

Plastic surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey provides safe and proven treatments for lipedema to patients in Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia, and surrounding communities. 

Tumescent Liposuction

The only treatment that seems to be effective in reducing the accumulation of fatty tissue associated with lipedema is a plastic surgery procedure known as tumescent liposuction.

Tumescent liposuction involves suctioning out the undesirable fat through a tube. A liquid solution if initially injected into the legs to numb the site and reduce blood loss. 

The procedure can be effective and have good outcomes. However, multiple operations may be necessary to eliminate the fat from various areas of the body. Fatty swelling of the legs may recur after having the procedure if the patient gains weight. 

In addition, non-surgical treatments may be necessary for a long duration following tumescent liposuction. For instance, the patient will need to wear compression garments post-surgery to prevent complications, such as lymphedema.

Treatments to Prevent Lymphedema

At times, non-surgical treatments help improve tenderness and pain, reduce or prevent lymphedema, and improve the shape of impacted limbs. But they typically have little effect on the fatty tissue. 

Various treatments are meant to enhance the flow and drainage of fluid in the tissues, such as:

• Compression therapy: This involves wearing garments or bandages that squeeze the impacted limbs.
• Exercise: Typically low-impact exercises, such as cycling or swimming.
• Massage: Techniques that encourage the flow of fluid through the body.

Treatments that Do Not Work

The treatments used for certain types of tissue inflammation are usually unhelpful in the case of lipedema.

Lipedema does not respond to:

• Raising the legs
• Diuretics: Tablets to eliminate excess fluid
• Dieting: This tends to cause fat loss from areas unaffected by lipedema, with little effect on the impacted sites

Lipoedema or Lymphedema?

These two conditions can appear very similar. However, there are vital differences. Lymphedema refers to swelling beneath the skin due to an accumulation of fluid in the lymphatic system, the network of vessels that remove excess fluid from body tissue. 

Upon being pressed, the skin which is swollen due to lymphedema will indent or pit. However, this does not occur in cases of lipedema. 

If the accumulation of fat impacts the lymphatic drainage, a person with lipedema may eventually develop lymphedema as well. The combination of these two conditions is called lipo-lymphedema.

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey receives patients from Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia, and nearby areas for lipedema treatment.

For more information on procedures and treatments offered by Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Paul McCluskey and the Plastic Surgery Institute of Atlanta, visit:

• psiatlanta.com
• sexualaesthetics.com

Serving patients in and around Atlanta, Buckhead,  Roswell, Marietta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Lipedema refers to a condition that causes excess fat to accumulate in the lower areas of the body. Lipedema usually involves the thighs, calves, and buttocks. 

In some cases, the upper arms may also be affected. The condition does not impact the feet or hands. 

Lipedema is a condition that causes excess fat to accumulate in the lower part of the body. Lipedema most often involves the buttocks, thighs, and calves. The upper arms can also be affected. The condition does not affect the hands or feet.

Lipedema may be mistaken for lymphedema, but both of these are different conditions. However, lipedema can develop into lymphedema. Plastic surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey provides safe and proven treatments for lipedema to patients in Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia, and surrounding locations.

What causes Lipedema?

The precise reason for the development of lipedema is not known. However, the condition runs in families and may be genetic. Lipedema develops almost always in women. It typically initiates or becomes worse at the time of puberty, pregnancy, or menopause. Due to this, there may be a possible connection to hormones. 

Lipedema may not occur due to obesity, but over half the patients with this condition are obese or overweight. Dieting can cause a person to lose weight in the upper body without leading to changes in the regions impacted by lipedema.

Lipedema symptoms may include the following:

• Fat accumulation in the calves, thighs, buttocks, and sometimes in the upper arms. 
• Diuretics, raising the legs and support stockings do not help the impacted sites.
• There is usually no inflammation in hands or feet unless the patient has lymphedema or chronic venous insufficiency.

• Pain.

Upon worsening, lipedema can impact a person’s ability to walk. Many people with lipedema have emotional symptoms, such as feeling embarrassed, depressed, or anxious as the lower region of their body becomes enlarged. 

As more fat builds up over time, it can obstruct the lymphatic pathway. This can lead to an accumulation of fluid known as lymph. The condition is called lipo-lymphedema or secondary lymphedema.

Diagnosis

It is challenging to assess and diagnose lipedema. It is best undertaken by a medical practitioner with experience in the condition. Imaging tests, such as MRI, ultrasound, lymphangiogram, and/or lymphoscintigraphy, may be helpful in the diagnosis of lipedema. However, the test results may be ‘normal’ in the initial stages of the disorder. 

It is vital to differentiate lipedema from other similar condition, including but not limited to the following: lipohypertrophy (a condition with similar signs and symptoms, but no edema and pain), obesity, and lymphedema (inflammation due to an abnormal build-up of fluids). 

Advanced cases should be evaluated for other causes of classic edema of the lower legs, such as idiopathic edema, chronic venous insufficiency (the veins have issues in sending blood from the legs back to the heart), postural edema (accumulation of fluid in the ankles and feet after standing for a long time), and edema due to internal disease.

The conventional guidelines for diagnosing lipedema include the following criteria:

• Bilateral and symmetrical presentation with minimal involvement of the feet
• Minimal pitting edema, tenderness, pain and easy bruising
• Persistent inflammation of lower extremities despite elevation or weight loss

Updated guidelines propose a lipedema diagnosis with the criteria as classically defined in addition to symptoms of the upper leg(s) and arm(s), such as a circularly thickened layer of fat impacting the skin. Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey receives patients from Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia, and nearby areas for lipedema treatment.

For more information on procedures and treatments offered by Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Paul McCluskey and the Plastic Surgery Institute of Atlanta, visit:

• psiatlanta.com
• sexualaesthetics.com

Serving patients in and around Atlanta, Buckhead,  Roswell, Marietta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Signs and symptoms of lipedema typically appear during puberty, pregnancy, or menopause. These symptoms differ between people, but often include abnormal pockets of body fat in both legs, going from the buttocks to the ankles. 

This is typically a painful condition which gradually worsens. But some people may develop minor lipedema that stabilizes. In the initial stages of lipedema, most people have a normal appearance above their waist. However, as the disorder progresses, the torso, chest, upper extremities, and abdomen may become enlarged as well. 

The skin overlying the impacted sites typically appears normal, although it may become less elastic. Individuals with lipedema are prone to bruising easily, likely due to the increased fragility of tiny blood vessels in the fat tissue. 

Lipedema develops due to the manner in which the fat (adipose tissue) is distributed underneath the skin. Fat is spread unevenly in the legs and buttocks, rather than in a normal pattern. There is usually a fatty region on the inside of the knees and the outside of the hips. 

Plastic surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey provides safe and proven treatments for lipedema to patients in Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia, and surrounding communities. 

What happens when a Person develops Lipedema

• The legs appear symmetrically swollen: Inflammation can develop from the hips and extend down to the ankles causing the legs to appear column-like. The feet are typically not affected. 

• The impacted areas feel cool and ‘spongy,’ and the skin is often soft and subtle.

• The patient bruises easily in the impacted areas.
• They may have small spider or varicose veins in the impacted regions. 
• The legs and other affected sites are sensitive to touch. 
• The legs and other impacted sites hurt and feel uncomfortable. The inflammation may worsen in the afternoon, evening, in hot weather, or after activity.

Individuals with lipedema may find it challenging to walk or engage in exercise, physical activities, and other facets of routine life. 

The limitations on mobility may contribute to people with this condition developing low self-esteem and other issues such as anxiety, as well as limiting their social life. People with lipedema often find it challenging to buy clothes as their lower and upper body is quite different in size. 

Common Symptoms of Lipedema

Lipedema causes the buttocks, thighs, lower legs, and at times, the arms, to become enlarged due to an accumulation of abnormal fat cells. Both legs and/or the arms are typically enlarged to the same extent and at the same time. 

The hands and feet are not affected. This creates a “band-like” appearance or a “bracelet” effect right above the wrists and ankles. 

The arm and leg size can differ between people with lipedema, and the disorder can slowly worsen over time. 

Besides becoming enlarged, impacted areas of the body may:

• bruise easily
• feel soft, “doughy” and cold 
• have tiny broken veins beneath the skin
• feel painful or ache or tender

A person with lipedema may eventually develop fluid retention (lymphoedema) in their legs. This type of inflammation can become worse by the end of the day and may improve overnight. 

But the fatty inflammation of lipedema is constant. These symptoms can cause limitations on mobility and psychological problems, such as low self-esteem. 

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey receives patients from Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia, and nearby areas for lipedema treatment.

For more information on procedures and treatments offered by Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Paul McCluskey and the Plastic Surgery Institute of Atlanta, visit:

• psiatlanta.com
• sexualaesthetics.com

Serving patients in and around Atlanta, Buckhead,  Roswell, Marietta, Georgia and surrounding areas.