Patients suffering from lipedema often feel that their concerns are dismissed by medical providers. They have been told they are fine, that it’s all in their head, or advised to lose weight, or suggested to take ibuprofen for pain. Dr. McCluskey is committed to hearing your story and seeing your photographs to understand your journey and experiences leading to this point. While not every patient is a candidate for lipedema liposuction surgery, there are always treatment options available and a correct diagnosis must be made.
Many Lipedema patients have consulted multiple doctors, physical or occupational therapists, weight loss providers, massage therapists, and chiropractors, often with little relief due to improper diagnosis. Dr McCluskey has had many lipedema patients who are in a doctor’s office undergoing an ultrasound or doppler study of their legs when the technician, not the physician, suggests that the patient has lipedema and should seek a referral to a lipedema specialist. Distinguishing between lipedema and lymphedema can be challenging for providers who don’t have much experience with both of these conditions, which is understandable.
Patients must first have the opportunity to be seen, heard, properly evaluated, and diagnosed. This point cannot be understated. From Dr McCluskey’s extensive experience with lipedema patients, their initial concern is that they haven’t been taken seriously by other providers. They’ve often tried dietary changes, lifestyle modifications, and compression garments with no change or relief. Many patients have undergone venous and lymphatic procedures but have yet to receive answers as to why their arms and legs are large and have no shape, or why their legs are tender and bruise so easily. The process of diagnosing lipedema takes time, and additional time for lipedema consultations is built into Dr. McCluskey’s schedule.
The patient has a story to tell. She has been on a long, difficult and often painful journey and she just wants for someone to listen and to understand what she’s been through and what she wants to achieve. Sometimes, more than one consultation or evaluation is necessary to understand the patient’s goals and to create and initiate a treatment plan. Whatever it takes, Dr McCluskey and his team will work diligently to properly diagnose lipedema and to build a custom treatment plan, tailored to each patient’s specific needs.