Diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency associated with Lipedema
If you’ve been dealing with legs that hurt, swell, and don’t respond to diet for years, it may not be “just being overweight.” At CICVE, we take a multidisciplinary, non-surgical approach to lipedema with a clear goal: to improve your quality of life.
What is lipedema? Lipedema is a chronic fat tissue disorder that causes a symmetrical and painful accumulation of fat, primarily in the legs, while sparing the feet. It affects almost exclusively women and is not a matter of lack of willpower: it does not improve through diet alone. Many women live with it for years without knowing its name, being told it is “excess weight” or “fluid retention.”
- A personalized, patient-centered approach
Our approach: Support, not surgery. That’s what sets us apart. In a field where many centers push for surgery, at CICVE we’ve chosen a different path: – We don’t perform surgery for lipedema or liposuction. We’re committed to a conservative and sustainable approach. – We don’t promise to cure it, because there is no cure. We can, however, help you manage it and slow its progression. – We work as a team—vascular surgery, endocrinology, and physical therapy—with a single goal: to help you live better. We prefer to honestly tell you what truly helps in your case, rather than suggest unnecessary procedures.
How We Work: A Coordinated Team Lipedema cannot be managed by a single medical specialty. That is why we coordinate three complementary approaches: Vascular surgery. We evaluate and treat the associated venous pathology, which frequently accompanies lipedema and worsens its symptoms. We begin by ruling out these conditions with a Doppler ultrasound. Endocrinology. This specialty addresses the hormonal and metabolic components, which are key in a condition that worsens during stages such as puberty, pregnancy, or menopause. Physical therapy. This involves compression, drainage, and adapted exercise—the cornerstones for relieving discomfort and maintaining mobility.
What's included in your first consultation: We listen to your story and how lipedema affects your daily life. – We examine your legs and perform a Doppler ultrasound to rule out or confirm venous disease. – We provide you with a clear diagnostic explanation, without technical jargon. – We design a personalized plan and coordinate the necessary referrals within our team. You’ll leave the appointment knowing what you have and what the next step is.
