This book is written as a guide for patients suffering from lipedema. Known as a common, painful fat distribution disorder characterised by a disproportional fat accumulation, lipedema represents an unmet medical need where scientific evidence on both pathophysiology and its treatment is still lacking. As the number of affected patients is increasing, besides striving to map the conundrum of clinical signs and relate these to their underlying mechanisms, developing standardised approaches addressing both fat mass reduction and body contouring are key issues able to warrant therapeutic success. In this book, our intention was to look at this complex disease from all its actual perspectives and provide a concise summary of the actual state of knowledge for all those affected. 

After looking into the most actual data on the aetiology, pathophysiology and course of the disease, the book then focuses on our complex treatment protocols wherecurrent conservative and surgical treatment options are systematically analyzed, considering their long-term chances of success as well as associated risks and side effects. We propose a three step treatment approach. 1^st step initiates with weight control and addresses obesity, if present. 2^nd step is an individual liposuction therapy plan to treat all lipedema areas, and more. 3^rd step includes body contouring surgery, only in patients with massive skin laxity after liposuction and / or massive weight loss.

<b>1. Lipedema </b>1.1 Fat tissue  1.2 Physiopathology of lipedema1.3 A closer look on actual scientifical evidence1.4 Hormonal activity of the fat tissue 1.5 Lipohypertrophy1.6 Theory of microvascular leakage and lymphatic interaction1.7 Uncontrolled fatty proliferation1.8 Edema in Lipedema1.9 Pain1.10 A chronic progressive evolution?1.11 Obesity and lipedema1.12 Clinical symptoms and direct effects of lipedema 1.13 Appearance, stages, classifications and evolution1.14 Diagnosis<b> </b><b>2. Lymphedema</b>2.1 Anatomy and function of the lymphatic system2.2 Causes of lymphedema2.3 Clinical appearance2.4 Diagnosis of Lymphedema2.5 Therapy of Lymphedema2.6 Operative therapy of lymphedema2.7 The LYMPHA Principle (Lymphatic Microsurgery Preventive Healing Approach)2.8 Similarities and differences - lip and lymphedema <b>3. Lipedema Treatment</b>3.1 How to stabilize your weight3.1.1 Conservative options for weight stabilization3.1.2 Surgical options for weight stabilization 1013.2 Complex Physical Therapy in Lipedema treatment CPT<ul><li>Compression treatment</li><li>Manual lymphatic drainage</li><li>Lymphatic drainage</li><li>Exercise therapy</li><li>Rehabilitation treatment</li></ul>3.3 Complex surgical treatment of lipedema3.4 The individual therapy plan for lipedema treatment3.5 Liposuction - general information3.6 Liposuction techniques and forms<ul><li>Classic liposuction</li><li>Water jet assisted liposuction (WAL)</li><li>Power-assisted liposuction (PAL)</li><li>Ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL)</li><li>Laser-assisted liposuction (LAL)</li></ul>3.7 General thoughts about Liposuction<ul><li>Setting: outpatient - inpatient ?</li></ul>3.8 Requirements and preparation for liposuction3.9 The liposuction procedure3.11 Postoperative treatment and follow-up after liposuction3.12 Success and long-term effect of liposuction3.13 Complications and risks of liposuction3.14 Sequence of the complex-surgical therapy plan3.15 Conclusion on surgical liposuction treatment of lipedema3.16 An example of a treatment3.17 Fat grafting <b>4. Body contouring after extensive liposuction and massive weight loss</b>4.1 Medical indication for tightening of excess soft tissue4.2 Medial thigh lift4.3 Upper arm lift4.4 Buttock lift4.5 The circumferential lower body lift<br><b>5. Further general information</b>5.1 What plastic surgery can do and what not5.2 How to find the right doctor5.3 Meet your plastic surgeon including checklist<br>