Which doctor diagnoses lipoedema, and how does the examination work? What to expect at Klinik am Seestern in Düsseldorf and which specialists make the diagnosis for German statutory 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 the Klinik am Seestern, Düsseldorf-Lörick
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.
01
Lipoedema diagnosis in Düsseldorf: examination at Klinik am Seestern
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 Klinik am Seestern in Düsseldorf, 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.
The clinic is on the left bank of the Rhine in Lörick, in the Am Seestern office district near the B7. The U77 connects the main station directly with the Am Seestern stop, and anyone arriving by car will find free parking on the grounds. This is how you can reach us from all parts of Düsseldorf, from Meerbusch and from Neuss.
02
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 Düsseldorf, you are on the right track: the health insurer recognises this diagnosis too. In the consultation we tell you which specialists come into question for you.
03
Klinik am Seestern and the specialist: 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 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.
04
How the lipoedema examination works in Düsseldorf
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
05
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.
06
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?.
07
When you should have lipoedema examined in Düsseldorf
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.
08
What to bring to the examination in Düsseldorf
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 book your appointment in Düsseldorf online as a patient with German statutory health insurance, as a self-pay patient or still undecided.
09
After the diagnosis: what happens next
Once the diagnosis is made, conservative treatment with compression, lymphatic drainage and exercise usually begins, more on this under Treating lipoedema without surgery. If it does not relieve the symptoms sufficiently after at least 6 months, lipoedema surgery may be an option. Which requirements the German health insurer sets for this, you can read under Lipoedema surgery as a patient with German statutory health insurance. The operation via the insurer usually takes place at the Nationalklinik of the Weight Doctors in Wertheim, while examination and aftercare remain in Düsseldorf.
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 Klinik am Seestern 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 Klinik am Seestern allowed to make the diagnosis for German statutory health insurance?
For the benefit covered by German statutory health insurance, the four-eyes principle applies. The confirmed diagnosis is made by a specialist authorised for this, and the decision to operate is 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.
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.
Where in Düsseldorf can I be examined for lipoedema?
At the Klinik am Seestern, Am Seestern 4 in 40547 Düsseldorf-Lörick. The clinic is on the left bank of the Rhine near the B7, the U77 runs directly from the main station to the Am Seestern stop, and there is free parking on the grounds.
I am a lipoedema and lymphoedema patient and have been trying to find help for about 10 years. Here it was no problem at all! I was called in quickly, was well looked after, my questions were answered very professionally, and I was able to leave the practice in tears of joy! Many thanks for the support so far.
Alina · October 2026
The friendliness of everyone I dealt with.
Anonymous · July 2026
I had my appointment at the practice for a consultation about my lipoedema, and I really want to leave a review even though I haven't had any surgery there yet. The reason is that this was the first time I felt truly taken seriously during an examination of my lipoedema. Dr. Witt was very friendly and professional from the start, and at the same time incredibly pleasant and humane. He took an exceptional amount of time, examined me very thoroughly and answered all my questions in detail. He is incredibly respectful and explains realistically what could be done and how the whole process would work. I found it particularly positive that at no point did a hectic or unpleasant mood arise. You never had the feeling of being “brushed off” or being under time pressure. Instead, the whole atmosphere was calm, relaxed and trusting. Dr. Witt was very committed, photos were taken of the affected areas and every possible treatment was explained in an understandable way. Dr. Witt explained everything in detail, yet never came across as complicated or distant. Although he is an absolute specialist in his field, I felt at all times that I could speak openly and ask any question. It felt more as if I had been a patient there for a long time. It was also particularly important to me that I never felt pushed towards an operation. It is still not at all clear whether I will have my operation at all, and yet I was taken incredibly seriously and treated with respect. That is exactly what built so much trust in me. I would also very much like to mention the lady at reception, Marris, in a positive way. She was super polite, had a very pleasant and calm manner and immediately gave me a good feeling. Although it was almost 5 p.m. and the end of the working day was approaching, she was incredibly friendly to me and did not seem at all annoyed or stressed. It is precisely such little things that make a huge difference to me personally and reinforced my positive overall impression of the practice. The practice itself is also absolutely impressive. It is extremely modern, high-quality and stylishly furnished. You feel more as if you are entering a luxury hotel than a traditional doctor's practice. Everything seems very well thought out, calm and professional. The organisation around the appointment was also excellent. Even before the appointment, communication was always very friendly, quick and professional. Questions were answered immediately and the whole process seemed perfectly organised. I was also allowed to park in the clinic's car park, which was an enormous relief since everything in the area was completely full. Although it was already later in the afternoon, Dr. Witt even personally saw to it that enquiries were made internally about my question regarding costs. Shortly after I had left the practice, I already received all the information by email. That too simply shows how professionally and attentively they work there. Overall, an exceptionally positive experience, of a kind you unfortunately only rarely have in the medical field. Absolutely fabulous.
Kerasoula P. · June 2026
Very beautiful clinic, wonderful reception and great service. The consultation with the doctor was very comprehensive and she addressed all my questions, which is all you could wish for as a patient / customer. I will definitely have my treatment done here.
Sandra W. · April 2026
Dr. Bromba took the time and advised me very well.
Anonymous · April 2026
A very kind doctor. I felt very comfortable from the first moment!
Elisabeth-katrin · March 2026
Everything was great, just one small remark..... I didn't get any dinner/bread in the evening. The most important thing for me was the operation, or rather everything around it.
Mix · February 2026
I was welcomed and advised incredibly kindly. The consultation takes place on an equal footing and without medical jargon, and what I like best is that they paid attention to what the best treatment is for my concern, and not to what would earn the practice the most money. I took a week to think it over, but actually the decision to choose the clinic was made much sooner.
Anonymous · January 2026
Everyone was very friendly, especially the nurses.
Anonymous · October 2025
I had a consultation and felt taken seriously and understood. They took a lot of time for me, and the examination and the conversation were very thorough. In the end, the treatment is too expensive for me, so I won't be able to have it done.
Anonymous · October 2025
Very competent and friendly consultation.
Anonymous · October 2025
Very competent consultation, super friendly staff!
Anonymous · September 2025
Medical assistant with partly insufficient professional competence.
Andreas M. · August 2025
Very competent consultation and medical examinations. I feel very well looked after.
BrigitteM · August 2025
I really liked the super friendly manner of the ladies at reception, and also that the doctor took the time to see and advise me, as well as the nice lady who went through the cost plan with me. I felt wonderfully looked after and will definitely have my treatment there. Thank you once again for everything so far.
Astrid R. · August 2025
A conversation in peace and without time pressure. I felt very well looked after.
Anonymous · August 2025
I was welcomed very nicely. The doctor was also very nice and answered all my questions. She also showed understanding that one does not decide straight away.
Anonymous · July 2025
Dr. Bromba's calm, matter-of-fact manner and his competence really convinced me during the consultation.
