{"id":21397,"date":"2024-11-27T13:49:58","date_gmt":"2024-11-27T13:49:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/drpapaioannou.gr\/%category_slug%\/lipedema-therapy\/surgical-correction-of-skin-laxity\/"},"modified":"2025-10-31T11:47:11","modified_gmt":"2025-10-31T11:47:11","slug":"surgical-correction-of-skin-laxity","status":"publish","type":"surgeries","link":"https:\/\/drpapaioannou.gr\/en\/body-contouring\/lipedema-therapy\/surgical-correction-of-skin-laxity\/","title":{"rendered":"Surgical Correction of Skin Laxity"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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A major concern for many patients with lipedema is what will happen to their skin if they lose weight or undergo extensive liposuction. Patients\u2019 worries are partly justified; however, in most cases, liposuction does not cause sagging,<\/strong> and we can often avoid procedures to correct sagging, which unfortunately are more burdensome in terms of recovery and leave noticeable scars that cannot be hidden.<\/p>

At this point, it is helpful to understand how liposuction works and how sagging can be prevented.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Liposuction and Tissue Laxity<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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By definition, liposuction does not cause tissue laxity. In fact, based on numerous clinical studies, we know that liposuction can actually result in a 10\u201315% tightening of the treated area.<\/p>

The reason liposuction has been associated with laxity is that in cases of severe laxity, liposuction cannot be performed properly because the tissue structure is too soft for uniform fat removal. In other cases, when fat is removed too superficially, the skin may wrinkle due to the loss of underlying natural support.<\/p>

To avoid laxity, certain basic principles <\/strong>must be followed regarding the design and execution of liposuction for lipoedema<\/a> treatment<\/strong>. Laxity <\/strong>can appear as either skin laxity, which manifests as a wrinkled surface<\/strong>, or subcutaneous tissue laxity<\/strong>, mainly of the connective tissue around the fat, giving the impression of sagging tissue.<\/p>

In the first case\u2014skin laxity\u2014this can occur due to age<\/strong>, loss or damage of the superficial fat layer <\/strong>from improper liposuction, or significant weight loss.<\/p>

True skin laxity is treated either with corrective procedures such as arm lift <\/strong>(brachioplasty) or thigh lift, or with minimally invasive methods <\/strong>such as radiofrequency, micro-LPG therapy, etc. Laxity of the underlying tissues, meaning fat and ligaments, is primarily addressed through proper liposuction, though in more severe cases, surgical tightening may also be required.<\/p>

As you can see, preventing or treating laxity requires a detailed assessment of the areas, evaluating tissue quality, skin condition, and the extent of lipoedema. It is a multifactorial process<\/strong> that demands significant experience both in liposuction and in lipoedema treatment.<\/p>

In many cases, additional tightening surgeries can be avoided, achieving excellent results with liposuction alone. It is crucial that the treating physician can accurately identify lipoedema<\/a>, even in cases of significant laxity, as otherwise the results may be disappointing.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Enhance your silhouette as it deserves.<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Lipedema treatment focuses on body harmony\u2014without pain, swelling, or unnecessary exhaustion.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Brachioplasty (Arm Lift)<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Lipoedema can affect the upper limbs, particularly the arms, but may extend below the elbows or toward the armpits<\/strong>. From our experience, many patients with lipoedema undergo brachioplasty unnecessarily because the underlying condition\u2014lipoedema\u2014is not recognized. This can result in unnecessary surgery and improper treatment of the lipoedema, often leading to recurrence or disproportion and deformities of the arms.<\/p>

When we see a problem with the arms, the first consideration should be treating the lipoedema, which is the primary condition. Lipoedema and excessive fatty tissue create heavy arms that appear lax. In these cases, proper liposuction can significantly reduce the weight burden <\/strong>on the tissues and effectively treat laxity without the need for brachioplasty.<\/p>

In cases where skin laxity is more pronounced due to age or poor collagen quality, brachioplasty becomes necessary for an optimal surgical outcome. Skin tightening <\/strong>may also be needed if lipoedema is extensive or combined with severe obesity, reducing tissue elasticity.<\/p>

The procedure is usually performed through a longitudinal incision from the armpit to the elbow. Mini-brachioplasty<\/strong>, with a small incision only at the armpit, is generally unsuitable for lipoedema cases. Strategically, brachioplasty can be performed simultaneously with or after liposuction<\/a>.<\/p>

We prefer a two-stage approach when laxity is borderline, as in some cases we may avoid brachioplasty, or in extensive lipoedema cases where large fat removal is required.<\/p>

Brachioplasty with a longitudinal incision can vary<\/strong>\u2014the scar may be zigzag, extend beyond the armpit or elbow. In lipoedema patients, brachioplasty without liposuction is not appropriate. The procedure lasts about 2 hours, performed as a day-case under general anesthesia.<\/p>

Initial recovery takes about 10 days, and scars typically require 3\u20136 months to become less noticeable. <\/strong>Elastic garments with bolero-type sleeves are worn for 4\u20136 weeks.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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See your body in a new balance.<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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With FaceTouchUp, you can see for free how your body may look after lipedema<\/strong> correction\u2014simply by uploading a photo. Explore the before-and-after results easily and quickly, before making any decision.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Thigh Lift<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The purpose of a thigh lift is to improve sagging, mainly on the inner thighs <\/strong>or generally around the perimeter of the thighs. There are two types of procedures, depending on the extent of the incision. In the first case, which for distinction is called a mini thigh lift, a horizontal incision is made at the base of the thigh, starting from the lower gluteal fold and extending to the groin area. This procedure primarily aims to improve the inner thighs up to approximately the mid-thigh.
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In the second case, an additional vertical incision <\/strong>is made from the root of the thigh down to the knee, on the inner side of the thigh. The goal of a thigh lift is to correct sagging around the entire thigh<\/strong>. Both procedures are mainly intended for individuals with obesity who have experienced significant weight loss and less so for patients with lipedema. However, in some cases, they are appropriate for achieving an optimal aesthetic result. A prerequisite is that lipedema has been properly addressed. <\/p>\n

Thigh lifting in patients with lipedema is usually performed in a second stage, after we have completed correction with liposuction. The reasons are as follows: <\/p>\n