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Lipoedema diagnosis in Dortmund

Which doctor diagnoses lipoedema, and how does the examination work? What to expect at Westfalenklinik in Dortmund and which specialists make the diagnosis for German statutory health insurance.

Book consultation0231 54 504 900
Who will treat you hereDr. Reifenrath, Dr. Gruner, Dr. Simidjiiska, Dr. med. univ. Zamani, Prof. Witt, Dr. Jenner
Examination
Conversation, palpation and measuring
For health insurance
Diagnosis by authorised specialists
Ultrasound
rules out other causes
At a glance

Lipoedema diagnosis at a glance

A specialty of its own
does not exist for lipoedema
Diagnosis for health insurance
Angiology, dermatology, physical medicine or phlebology
Four-eyes principle
Diagnosis and decision for surgery separate
Examination
Medical history, palpation and measuring
Key symptom
Pain on pressure and touch
Ultrasound
only to rule out other causes
Bring with you
Findings, prescriptions and weight history
Consultation
at Westfalenklinik, Dortmund
  • Not a laboratory value: the doctor recognises lipoedema from symptoms and findings.
  • For health insurance: the confirmed diagnosis is made by a specialist authorised to do so.
  • Get your bearings beforehand: the self-test and WHtR calculator help with a first assessment.

Lipoedema diagnosis in Dortmund: examination at Westfalenklinik

It often takes years before lipoedema is recognised. Aching, heavy legs are put down to being overweight, diets have no effect on the legs and arms, and the distress grows. A clear diagnosis is the first step to a suitable treatment, whether conservative or surgical.

At Westfalenklinik in Dortmund, our doctors take time over the examination. They listen to your story, examine your legs and arms and discuss with you what the findings mean and which options are open to you. A personal contact stays at your side throughout, from the first consultation to the final check-up.

The clinic has been located at Rosemeyerstraße 2–4 for 25 years, directly on the B1/A40 near the Signal Iduna Park. By car, take the Dortmund-Hombruch exit on the B1, turn right into Wittekindstraße and after 700 m right into Rosemeyerstraße; you park on the building’s car park deck directly in front of the entrance. From the main station, you can reach us with the U45 to Stadtgarten and the U42 to Theodor-Fliedner-Heim.

Which doctor diagnoses lipoedema?

There is no specialty of its own for lipoedema. Often the GP practice is the first point of contact and refers you to a specialist practice if there is a suspicion. For liposuction as a benefit of German statutory health insurance, the diagnosis must come from a specialist in one of these fields:

  • Internal medicine and angiology
  • Dermatology
  • Physical and rehabilitative medicine
  • Additional qualification in phlebology

So if you are looking for a phlebologist for lipoedema in Dortmund, you are on the right track: German statutory health insurance recognises this diagnosis too. Under the decision of the Gemeinsamer Bundesausschuss, GPs and plastic surgeons are not entitled to make the initial diagnosis. In the consultation we tell you which specialists come into question for you.

Westfalenklinik and specialist practice: who does what

Examination and consultation with us

Our doctors examine you, assess the extent and stage and advise you on treatment, including on whether liposuction is an option for you.

The confirmed diagnosis

If German statutory health insurance is to cover the operation, a non-operating specialist authorised for this confirms the diagnosis.

The decision to operate

Under the four-eyes principle, a different doctor from the one who made the diagnosis decides whether liposuction is indicated.

How the lipoedema examination works in Dortmund

  1. 01

    The conversation about your symptoms

    Where does it hurt, since when, and in which phases of life has it changed? We ask about treatments you have already had, about your weight history and about whether women in your family have similar symptoms.

  2. 02

    A look at your legs and arms

    Is the fat distribution the same on both sides? Do your hands and feet stay slim while the thighs, knees or upper arms are fuller? Are there pads on the insides of the knees or the backs of the upper arms?

  3. 03

    Palpating the tissue

    With lipoedema, the tissue often hurts even under light pressure. We palpate how the skin and subcutaneous fatty tissue feel and where the symptoms are located.

  4. 04

    Measuring

    Circumferences, height, weight and waist circumference record the findings. They also give BMI and the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), which count for German statutory health insurance.

  5. 05

    The question of lymphoedema

    If the feet or hands swell as well, lymphoedema may also be present, a so-called lipolymphoedema. It needs its own treatment before pathological fatty tissue can be removed.

Woman sitting on the sofa holding her aching knee, symbolic image of the symptoms of lipoedema

Ultrasound, bruises, nodules: what does not support the diagnosis

An ultrasound scan of the vessels can rule out other causes such as vein disorders. According to the current guideline, however, it cannot detect lipoedema. The diagnosis rests on your symptoms and the physical examination.

Bruises after minor knocks and nodules in the tissue are described by many of those affected. According to the 2024 guideline, however, neither is a reliable sign, because they also occur without lipoedema. The stage also says nothing about how severe the symptoms are: it only describes how the skin and tissue look. More on this under Lipoedema symptoms and stages and in the article Frequent bruises on the legs.

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Lipoedema, lymphoedema or cellulite? Telling them apart in the diagnosis

Part of the diagnosis is ruling out other causes. Lymphoedema often begins in one leg and includes the foot, being overweight is distributed over the whole body, cellulite does not hurt. We compare the conditions in detail under Lipoedema, lymphoedema or cellulite?.

When you should have lipoedema examined in Dortmund

An appointment for clarification is worthwhile if several of these points apply to you:

  • Legs or arms hurt under pressure and touch
  • The feeling of heaviness and tension increases over the course of the day
  • Diets and exercise hardly change the legs and arms
  • Both sides are equally affected, hands and feet stay slim
  • It began in puberty, pregnancy or the menopause

The sooner the cause of your symptoms is clarified, the more specifically you can do something about them. Lipoedema does not necessarily progress: a stable weight, compression and exercise can relieve the symptoms, and if that is not enough, surgery is an option.

What to bring to the examination at Westfalenklinik

  • Previous findings and doctors’ letters
  • Prescriptions and proof of compression and lymphatic drainage
  • Your weight history of recent months
  • A list of your medications
  • Notes on your symptoms and questions

Beforehand, our lipoedema self-test with WHtR calculator helps with a first assessment. You can book your consultation appointment online or arrange it by phone on 0231 54 504 900.

What does lipoedema surgery cost in Dortmund? German health insurance or self-⁠pay

We check your entitlement and guide you through the application to your health insurer.

As a self-pay patient, the costs depend on the scope of the treatment, the number of affected body regions and the stage. After your first consultation at Westfalenklinik you will receive a no-obligation treatment quote with final prices including statutory VAT. Financing is possible through our financing partner, more under Financing your treatment.

Who will treat you here

The whole team

Frequently asked questions

Which doctor diagnoses lipoedema in Dortmund?

There is no specialty of its own for lipoedema. For German statutory health insurance, the diagnosis is made by specialists in internal medicine and angiology, in dermatology, in physical and rehabilitative medicine, or with the additional qualification in phlebology. At Westfalenklinik in Dortmund we examine and advise you and tell you who comes into question for the diagnosis.

Can a phlebologist make the lipoedema diagnosis?

Yes. Doctors with the additional qualification in phlebology are among the specialists whose diagnosis German statutory health insurance recognises for liposuction.

Is Westfalenklinik allowed to make the diagnosis for German statutory health insurance?

No. For the benefit covered by German statutory health insurance, the four-eyes principle applies. The initial diagnosis is made by a non-operating specialist authorised for this; under the decision of the Gemeinsamer Bundesausschuss, GPs and plastic surgeons are not entitled to do so. The decision to operate is then made by a different doctor. Our doctors examine you, advise you on treatment and check whether liposuction is indicated.

Can lipoedema be detected with ultrasound?

No. According to the current guideline, an ultrasound can rule out other causes such as vein disorders, but it cannot detect lipoedema. The diagnosis rests on your symptoms and the physical examination.

Are bruises or nodules a sure sign of lipoedema?

No. Many of those affected bruise easily, and some feel nodules in the tissue. Both also occur without lipoedema, however, and under the current guideline are not regarded as a reliable sign. More on this in the article Frequent bruises on the legs.

Can I test myself for lipoedema?

Our lipoedema self-test with ten questions gives a first orientation. It shows how many typical signs apply to you. It does not replace the diagnosis.

What is lipolymphoedema?

This is the name for lipoedema to which lymphoedema has been added. Lymph fluid then also builds up in the tissue, and the feet or hands often swell as well. The lymphoedema is treated separately first, where necessary together with doctors of other specialties.

What should I bring to the examination?

Previous findings and doctors’ letters, prescriptions and proof of compression and lymphatic drainage, your weight history of recent months and a list of your medications. Also make a note of where it hurts and since when.

What does lipoedema surgery cost in Dortmund?

The costs depend on the scope of the treatment, the number of affected body regions and the stage. As a self-pay patient, you will receive a no-obligation treatment quote after the first consultation at Westfalenklinik, and financing is possible through our financing partner.

Where in Dortmund can I be examined for lipoedema?

At Westfalenklinik, Rosemeyerstr. 2–4, 44139 Dortmund. The clinic is located directly on the B1/A40 near the Signal Iduna Park; by car, take the Dortmund-Hombruch exit and park on the building’s car park deck directly in front of the entrance. From the main station, take the U45 to Stadtgarten and then the U42 to Theodor-Fliedner-Heim.

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