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    The content on this page is not current guidance and is only for the purposes of the consultation process.

    Liposuction for chronic lipoedema

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    Interventional procedures consultation document

    In chronic lipoedema, the bottom, legs, and sometimes the arms become enlarged because of abnormal build-up of fat cells. This leads to pain, bruising, and limited mobility. Under either general or local anaesthesia, the abnormal fat is removed using suction through punctures in the skin (liposuction). Afterwards, a compression garment must be worn most of the time for several months after surgery. The procedure may need to be repeated. The aim is to reduce swelling and pain.

    NICE is looking at liposuction for chronic lipoedema.

    NICE's interventional procedures advisory committee met to consider the evidence and the opinions of professional experts, who are consultants with knowledge of the procedure.

    This document contains the draft guidance for consultation. Your views are welcome, particularly:

    • comments on the draft recommendations

    • information about factual inaccuracies

    • additional relevant evidence, with references if possible.

    NICE is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, eliminating unlawful discrimination and fostering good relations between people with particular protected characteristics and others.

    This is not NICE's final guidance on this procedure. The draft guidance may change after this consultation.

    After consultation ends, the committee will:

    • meet again to consider the consultation comments, review the evidence and make appropriate changes to the draft guidance

    • prepare a second draft, which will go through a resolution process before the final guidance is agreed.

    Please note that we reserve the right to summarise and edit comments received during consultation or not to publish them at all if, in the reasonable opinion of NICE, there are a lot of comments or if publishing the comments would be unlawful or otherwise inappropriate.

    Closing date for comments: 2November 2021

    Target date for publication of guidance: March 2022