NEED A SATURDAY APPOINTMENT?

We are Open on Saturdays. (Consultations & surgery offered)

Call us today to book your appointment!

(514) 736-7792

Request Consultation
Dr. Edouard Coeugniet, MSc.

Lipedema Specialist

Lipedema should not define you. Redefine your normal! My mission is to tear down the barriers to care so that every Lipedema patient can get the world-class care she deserves.

In recent years, there has been a rising awareness of the condition called Lipedema.

Lipedema is a common and chronic condition affecting women, and it is estimated to occur in approximately 1 in 9 women in Canada. This condition causes significant fat accumulation, particularly around the thighs and legs. With most cases developing during hormonal changes like puberty, pregnancy, or menopause.

Understanding Lipedema

What is Lipedema?

Lipedema is a condition that is caused by abnormal fat cells disproportionately located in the lower body, and sometimes in the arms, that almost exclusively affects women. The fat is abnormally increased in the hips and legs but significantly less in the abdomen – nearly the opposite of obesity.

It is distinguishable by five characteristics:

  • It can be inherited
  • It occurs almost exclusively in women
  • It can occur in women of all sizes, from the seriously underweight to the morbidly obese
  • It involves the excess deposit and expansion of fat cells in an unusual and particular pattern bilateral and symmetrical and usually from the waist to a distinct line just above the ankles
  • Unlike the typical fat of obesity, lipedemic fat generally cannot be lost through diet and exercise.
Understanding Lipedema

Signs & Symptoms of Lipedema

Lipedema is a chronic condition often mistaken for obesity or lymphedema, characterized by abnormal fat accumulation, primarily in the legs, hips, and sometimes arms. At Lipœdème Montréal, Dr. Edouard Coeugniet, MSc., specializes in diagnosing and treating Lipedema, helping patients recognize its distinct signs and symptoms for early intervention. Below are the key indicators of Lipedema:

  • Disproportionate Fat Distribution: Excess fat in the legs, hips, or arms that is resistant to diet and exercise, often creating an uneven body shape.
  • Symmetrical Appearance: Affected areas typically appear symmetrical, impacting both sides of the body equally.
  • Pain or Tenderness: Sensitivity or discomfort in affected areas, often worsened by touch or pressure.
  • Easy Bruising: Frequent or unexplained bruising in the areas with abnormal fat accumulation.
  • Heaviness or Fatigue: A sensation of heaviness or tiredness in the limbs, impacting daily activities.
  • Nodular Skin Texture: Skin may feel nodular or "bean-bag-like" due to underlying fat deposits.
  • Progressive Swelling: As Lipedema advances, swelling (edema) or mobility issues may develop, further affecting quality of life.
Signs & Symptoms of Lipedema
Lipedema Treatment in Montreal

Treating Lipedema With A Special Liposuction Technique

Lipedema Treatment in Montreal
Lymph Sparing Liposuction

A gentle technique of liposuction is a very effective treatment option for lipedema. It is indicated for patients who exhausted the merits of conservative treatment. It works by removing the lipedema fat while sparing the lymphatic vessels. At Lipœdème Montréal, Dr. Edouard Coeugniet, MSc. uses Water-Jet Assisted Liposuction (WAL). During this process, Dr. Coeugniet will use physiologic water (saline) as a pulsating jet that releases the adipose tissue for liposuction.

Water jet assisted liposuction (WAL technique) is a gentle procedure that doesn’t affect underlying organs and structures, such as muscles, nerves, and blood vessels. It’s also precise and doesn’t cause pain.

WAL technique is significantly gentler on the lymphatic system compared to traditional liposuction methods.

This video demonstrates how Body-Jet water-assisted liposuction works to break up unwanted fat for easy removal.

Water-Jet Assisted Liposuction

A Gentle Approach to Lipedema Treatment

Water-assisted liposuction offers a cutting-edge solution for those struggling with lipedema, It gently dislodges fat with a water-jet, preserving the delicate lymphatic vessels, blood vessels, and connective tissue. This minimizes trauma, reduces bruising, and helps alleviate pain, swelling, and heaviness while improving mobility.


Benefits of WAL

  • Less traumatic
  • Less blood loss
  • Reduced recovery time
  • Tissue viability
  • Precision

Lipedema vs Lifestyle-induced Obesity

Lipedema is a chronic, painful fat disorder that can co-occur with obesity, but is not the same thing. Unlike obesity, which is a generalized fat accumulation that improves with diet and exercise, lipedema causes an abnormal, painful fat buildup primarily in the legs and arms that is resistant to traditional weight loss methods.

Latest News

Explore our latest blogs and news

Want to achieve your goals? Let's get started today!