Liposuction

Lipoedema is a painful, excessive, and symmetrical increase in fatty tissue on the arms or legs. A typical characteristic is a tendency to develop haematomas (bruises), even after minor injuries. In addition, increased fluid retention may occur in the affected areas of the body. Lipoedema occurs almost exclusively in women. The standard treatment is known as complex physical decongestive therapy. It consists of lymphatic drainage, compression using special stockings, and exercise therapy.

For several years now, physicians have also been offering the surgical removal of fatty tissue from the affected parts of the body, known as liposuction. Liposuction is a surgical treatment method that has been included in the standard care provided by statutory health insurance funds for the treatment of grade III lipoedema on a temporary basis from 01/01/2020 until the end of 2025.

For liposuction in cases of grade I or II lipoedema, no costs are covered. This is because there is currently no reliable evidence that liposuction offers an advantage over other treatment methods for these stages. For this reason, the Federal Joint Committee, consisting of physicians, hospitals, and health insurance funds, has initiated a clinical trial covering all severity grades.

Further information on the current clinical trial investigating the effectiveness of liposuction can be found on the website Website “Clinical trial on liposuction for lipoedema”.

Whether the requirements for coverage of liposuction costs are met is decided by the treating physician. Among other criteria, grade III lipoedema must be present, and physical therapies (compression therapy and lymphatic drainage) must have been carried out for at least six months without sufficient success.

Liposuction is usually performed on an outpatient basis. If inpatient treatment is required, it can also be carried out in a hospital.