Thighs, knees and lower legs are most commonly affected in lipoedema. How you recognise the condition in the legs, how liposuction works and why more extensive findings are treated in several sessions.
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.
One building: Consultation, surgery and check-ups take place at Klinik am Seestern in Düsseldorf.
01
Lipoedema of the legs in Düsseldorf: examination and surgery under one roof
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 Klinik am Seestern. Examination, surgery and the check-ups afterwards take place in the same building: The specialist clinic for plastic and aesthetic surgery has its own operating theatres and rooms for the nights after the procedure.
You will find us on the left bank of the Rhine in Lörick, in the Am Seestern office district not far from the B7. By bus and train, take the U77 at the main station, which runs without changes to the Am Seestern stop; by car, you can park free of charge on the clinic’s premises. This also keeps appointments after the operation easy to reach from all parts of Düsseldorf, from Meerbusch and from Neuss.
02
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 Klinik am Seestern in Düsseldorf.
03
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.
04
How lipoedema surgery on the legs works at Klinik am Seestern
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.
Step 2
At the start
Tumescent solution. A tumescent solution is introduced into the treatment areas before the fatty tissue is suctioned out.
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.
Step 4
Afterwards
Compression. Compression trousers support healing. You wear them for about 6 to 8 weeks, day and night.
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.
05
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 Düsseldorf. If the arms are also affected, the order of legs and arms is part of this planning as well.
06
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.
07
Cost of lipoedema surgery on the legs in Düsseldorf
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 personal treatment quote after your consultation in Düsseldorf. You can finance the treatment through our partner, more on this under Financing your treatment.
Since October 2025, German statutory health insurance can cover liposuction for lipoedema at all stages if the requirements are met. Surgery is then usually carried out at the Weight Doctors Nationalklinik in Wertheim; consultation and aftercare remain in Düsseldorf. What these requirements are and how to proceed is explained under Lipoedema surgery as a patient with statutory health insurance. You book your consultation at Klinik am Seestern as a patient with statutory health insurance, as a self-pay patient or still undecided.
08
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 Klinik am Seestern in Düsseldorf 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.
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 Düsseldorf.
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 Düsseldorf?
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 personal treatment quote after the consultation, and financing is possible through our financing partner. Since October 2025, German statutory health insurance can cover liposuction at all stages if the requirements are met. Surgery is then usually carried out at the Weight Doctors Nationalklinik in Wertheim; consultation and aftercare remain in Düsseldorf.
Where in Düsseldorf is lipoedema of the legs treated?
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.
Costs and financing
Pay conveniently in instalments.
You can pay for your treatment in monthly instalments through our financing partner medipay, with terms of up to 72 months. We will tell you the price of your procedure after the consultation.
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.
