Plastic Surgeons Have the Right Training
Plastic surgery is one of the most competitive medical specialties. During residency, plastic surgeons train in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, which includes liposuction, skin removal, abdominoplasty (tummy tucks), cancer reconstruction, trauma care, and complex wound treatment. Many go on to complete fellowships in body contouring, which directly applies to treating lipedema.
To stay board-certified, plastic surgeons must prove ongoing proficiency in liposuction and continue their education in blood loss management, infection prevention, and complication control—all critical for lipedema patients.
Other surgeons (general and ENT) and non-surgeons (dermatologists, gynecologists, internal medicine physicians, etc.) do not receive this level of body-focused surgical training, nor is it part of their board exams or continuing education.
👉 Plastic surgeons are trained, tested, and monitored for the skills needed in lipedema surgery.
Hospitals Only Credential Plastic Surgeons for This Surgery
Hospitals carefully control which doctors can operate in their facilities. Non-plastic surgeons are not allowed to perform lipedema surgeries in hospitals because they lack the proper training. They usually do not have privileges to operate in a hospital, no matter how hard they promote themselves as “lipedema experts.”
Plastic surgeons also follow strict safety standards, including those from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, which require overnight hospital monitoring for large-volume liposuction (over 5 liters). This is because removing large amounts of fat can cause dangerous fluid shifts, low blood pressure, and blood loss.
Non-plastic surgeons sometimes avoid hospitals altogether and instead perform these large-volume procedures in small surgery centers or even in their office—sending patients home the same day. This practice is unsafe and not permitted in accredited hospitals.
👉 If a surgeon can’t admit patients to a hospital, they shouldn’t be doing lipedema surgery.
Don’t Be Misled by Marketing or Insurance Shortcuts
Some physicians with little or no surgical training market themselves as “lipedema experts.” They may advertise “lymph-sparing water-assisted liposuction” or “awake liposuction.” These terms are marketing gimmicks—not medically recognized techniques—and can even be dangerous. Often, these doctors cannot perform procedures under general anesthesia because they lack training and credentials.
Insurance companies may also try to steer you toward non-plastic surgeons to save money. Fortunately, many insurers refuse to cover lipedema surgery if it’s performed by someone other than a plastic surgeon.
👉 Check every doctor’s board certification here: certificationmatters.org. If they’re not a board-certified plastic surgeon, you should not choose them for lipedema surgery.
Don’t Take Chances
Your health and safety come first. Only plastic surgeons possess the necessary training, oversight, and hospital credentials required to perform lipedema surgery safely. After confirming they are a board-certified plastic surgeon, the next step is to find one with specific experience treating lipedema.
👉 A plastic surgeon is always the safest choice.
We Have Done the Research for You
We have interviewed hundreds of board-certified plastic surgeons and worked with dozens. We have evaluated them for their training, experience, and willingness to work with insurance. We are relentless in our search to find safe, effective, and ethical surgeons to serve women with lipedema. Our members are currently working with over a dozen board-certified plastic surgeons nationwide who meet or exceed all of the criteria.