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Lipoedema in the legs in Dortmund

Thighs, knees and lower legs are most commonly affected in lipoedema. How you recognise the condition in the legs, how liposuction works at the Westfalenklinik in Dortmund and why more extensive findings are treated in several sessions.

Book consultation0231 54 504 900
Who will treat you hereDr. Reifenrath, Dr. Gruner, Dr. Simidjiiska, Dr. med. univ. Zamani, Prof. Witt, Dr. Jenner
Duration of surgery
about 2 to 5 hrs
Anaesthesia
local anaesthesia or general anaesthesia
Stay in the clinic
outpatient or 1 to 2 nights
At a glance

Lipoedema surgery on the legs at a glance

Typical areas
Thighs, knees, lower legs and hips
Duration of surgery
about 2 to 5 hrs
Anaesthesia
local anaesthesia or general anaesthesia
Stay in the clinic
outpatient or 1 to 2 nights
Sessions
one or several, depending on the finding
Compression
6 to 8 weeks, day and night
Back out among people
after 7 to 10 days
Financing
possible through our financing partner
  • Both legs alike: Lipoedema affects the right and the left to the same degree; the feet stay slim.
  • Step by step: More extensive findings are spread over several sessions for safety reasons.
  • On site in Dortmund: consultation and aftercare at the Westfalenklinik, and for self-pay patients the operation as well.

Lipoedema of the legs in Dortmund: examination and surgery at the Westfalenklinik

Whether your legs show the signs of lipoedema, and what liposuction on the thighs, knees and lower legs can do for you, is something you clarify with our doctors at the Westfalenklinik in Dortmund. For surgery and care afterwards, the specialist clinic for plastic and aesthetic surgery does not depend on external surgical centres or affiliated clinics: after larger procedures you stay in our patient rooms, cared for at night by our own qualified staff trained in emergency medicine.

You will find us at Rosemeyerstraße 2–4, directly on the B1/A40 and very close to the Signal Iduna Park. By car, leave the B1 at the Dortmund-Hombruch exit and park on the building’s parking deck directly in front of the entrance. By public transport, take the U45 from the main station to Stadtgarten and from there the U42 to Theodor-Fliedner-Heim. This means the appointments after the operation are also easy to reach; from Dortmund Airport it is about 12 km via the B1.

How to recognise lipoedema of the legs

In many women, lipoedema first shows in the legs. These signs are typical:

  • Both legs are affected to the same degree
  • The feet stay slim; a step can form above the ankles
  • Pain on pressure in the thighs and on the inner side of the knees
  • Heavy, tight legs that become more noticeable in the evening
  • The inner thighs rub against each other when walking
  • Diets change the upper body, but hardly anything in the legs

If several points apply to you, our self-test gives a first orientation. What stages 1, 2 and 3 describe in the legs is explained under Lipoedema symptoms and stages. Whether lipoedema is actually present is determined by a medical examination, for example during a consultation at the Westfalenklinik in Dortmund.

Which areas of the legs are treated in lipoedema surgery

Outer side of the thighs and hips

On the outer side of the thigh and hip, the so-called “riding breeches” often form. The padding often extends as far as the buttocks.

Inner side of the thighs

Here the tissue rubs together when walking, and the skin can become sore. Slackening skin often shows first on the inner sides, which is why the question of a later tightening is also part of the planning here.

Knees

Padding on the inner side of the knees is one of the typical signs of lipoedema. It can hurt when sitting, kneeling or under pressure.

Lower legs and ankles

Lipoedema can extend as far as the ankle, while the foot stays free. Whether the lower legs are treated as well depends on your findings.

How lipoedema surgery on the legs works at the Westfalenklinik

  1. Step 1

    Before the procedure

    Marking. Your doctor marks the areas on the thighs and lower legs that are to be suctioned and goes over the plan with you once more.

  2. Step 2

    At the start

    Tumescent solution. A tumescent solution is introduced into the treatment areas before the fatty tissue is suctioned out.

  3. Step 3

    The suction

    Vibration-assisted liposuction. The diseased fatty tissue is suctioned out through small punctures. The vibrating cannula is intended to make the suction easier and to protect the surrounding tissue.

  4. Step 4

    Afterwards

    Compression. Compression trousers support healing. You wear them for about 6 to 8 weeks, day and night.

  5. Step 5

    The first nights

    Observation. After larger procedures you stay in the clinic for 1 to 2 nights; after smaller ones you can go home the same day.

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Five women in white underwear, legs and hips in view, symbolic image of lipoedema on the thighs, knees and lower legs

How many operations does lipoedema of the legs need?

There is no fixed number, and the stage alone does not determine it either. What matters is how many areas are affected and how much fatty tissue is to be suctioned. With advanced lipoedema affecting the thighs, knees and lower legs, the amount can be several litres. It may then be necessary, for safety reasons, to spread the treatment over several sessions.

How the sections are divided and how much time lies between two sessions is planned with you by your doctor after the examination in Dortmund. If the arms are also affected, the order of legs and arms is part of this planning as well.

Conservative treatment of the legs before surgery

Before liposuction on the legs is considered, conservative treatment usually comes first: compression stockings or compression trousers, manual lymphatic drainage and exercise can relieve pain and a feeling of tightness. For a service covered by German statutory health insurance, at least 6 months of this therapy without weight gain are among the requirements. If symptoms persist despite consistent treatment, surgery may be an option. What conservative treatment involves is explained under Treating lipoedema without surgery.

What does lipoedema surgery on the legs cost in Dortmund? Quote and German health insurance

What the treatment costs depends on the number of areas, the amount removed and the number of sessions. As a self-pay patient, you will receive a no-obligation treatment quote after your consultation in Dortmund. The Westfalenklinik’s prices are final prices including statutory VAT, accommodation, meals, follow-up treatments and anaesthesia are not added afterwards. You can finance the treatment through our financing partner, more on this under Financing your treatment.

Since October 2025, German statutory health insurance can in principle cover liposuction for lipoedema at any stage if the requirements are met. We check your entitlement and support you through the application to your health insurance. Which requirements apply is explained under Lipoedema surgery as a patient with statutory health insurance.

Three women in black swimsuits cheering with their arms raised, symbolic image of everyday life after liposuction on the legs

After liposuction on the legs: everyday life, compression and tightening

In the first few days, swelling and bruising on the legs are normal. You come to the Westfalenklinik in Dortmund for the check-ups. You are usually back out among people after 7 to 10 days; with compression, a return to work is possible in many cases after about 2 weeks. It takes about 4 to 6 weeks until you have fully recovered. What you should pay attention to during this time is explained under After lipoedema surgery.

If the skin remains loose after healing, especially on the inner sides of the thighs, a thigh lift may be an option, and for moderately slack skin RENUVION® as well. You can read about the options under Skin tightening after lipoedema surgery.

Who will treat you here

The whole team

Frequently asked questions

Which areas of the legs are treated in lipoedema surgery?

Treatment is given where the diseased fatty tissue has formed, mostly on the outer and inner sides of the thighs, on the inner side of the knees and on the lower legs, often also on the hips and buttocks. Which areas these are in your case, we determine together with you after the examination.

How many operations are needed for lipoedema of the legs?

There is no fixed number. It depends on how many areas are affected and how much fatty tissue is to be suctioned. For an extensive finding, it may be necessary for safety reasons to spread the treatment over several sessions. The stage alone does not determine the number either.

Why do the knees often hurt in lipoedema?

On the inner side of the knees, lipoedema typically forms fat pads that can hurt under pressure, for example when sitting with the legs crossed. In advanced lipoedema, the high load on the joints can also contribute to misalignments such as knock-knees.

Which doctor is the right one for lipoedema of the legs?

The diagnosis for German statutory health insurance is made by specialist doctors in angiology, dermatology or physical and rehabilitative medicine, as well as by doctors with additional training in phlebology. The liposuction itself is performed by doctors specialising in plastic surgery. More on this under Lipoedema diagnosis in Dortmund.

How long do I have to wear compression after surgery on the legs?

You usually wear the compression trousers for about 6 to 8 weeks, day and night. They are intended to counteract swelling and to prevent dents in the surface of the skin. With compression, a return to everyday life and to work is possible in many cases after about 2 weeks.

Are scars left after liposuction on the legs?

Small scars of about 4 to 5 mm form at the puncture sites of the cannulas. They are placed at inconspicuous sites where possible and usually fade over time. How scars develop varies from person to person.

What does lipoedema surgery on the legs cost in Dortmund?

The costs depend on the number of areas treated, the amount of tissue removed and the number of sessions. As a self-pay patient, you will receive a no-obligation treatment quote at final prices after the consultation at the Westfalenklinik, and financing is possible through our financing partner. Since October 2025, German statutory health insurance can in principle cover liposuction at any stage if the requirements are met.

Where in Dortmund is lipoedema of the legs treated?

At the Westfalenklinik, Rosemeyerstr. 2–4, 44139 Dortmund. The clinic is located directly on the B1/A40 in the immediate vicinity of the Signal Iduna Park; by car, take the Dortmund-Hombruch exit and park on the building’s parking 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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