MANUAL LIPEDEMA EXTRACTION (MLE)

One of the characteristics of lipedema are firm, sometimes tender nodules. These can be small and referred to as “lipedema pearls”. However, they can also grow larger to the size of golf balls. Since lipedema fat is derived from inflammatory process, the nodules that develop are not only extremely firm but they are also intertwined in other connective tissues and firmly attached to the skin. Often times patients who are at stages 3 and 4 have such thick fibrous fat that not all their lipedema fat can be removed with liposuction due to cannula size. Removing these nodules is part of Lipedema Reduction treatment, but also needs to be performed in a gentle enough manner to spare fragile structures such as lymphatics, nerves, skin, and tissue.