LIPEDEMA · CONSERVATIVE SUPPORT · BELGIUM
Lipedema support in Belgium, grounded in tissue physiology
Lipedema is not simply a matter of shape. It is a chronic condition of the fatty tissue that often brings pain, heaviness and a tendency to bruise easily. At Maison Ipanema Institute, our lipedema support in Belgium begins with physiology: how your tissue behaves, where fluid tends to accumulate, and what your body needs in order to feel more at ease. Always conservative, and always in coordination with your physician.
PHYSIOLOGY
Understanding lipedema from the inside
Lipedema is characterised by a symmetrical, disproportionate increase in fatty tissue, most often in the legs and hips and sometimes in the arms, while the hands and feet are typically spared. It occurs almost exclusively in women and frequently changes during hormonal transitions such as puberty, pregnancy or menopause.
Why the tissue becomes so sensitive is still being actively researched, but a simplified causal chain helps to make sense of it:
- Low-grade inflammation within the fatty tissue makes the small blood vessels more fragile and more permeable.
- More fluid then escapes into the surrounding tissue, creating oedema that is felt as heaviness and tension.
- The lymphatic system must clear this fluid. A persistently high lymphatic load can, over time, strain that system.
- Where fluid and inflammatory signals linger, the risk of fibrosis rises: tissue becomes firmer, less supple and often more tender.
Conservative support works along this chain. It does not remove lipedema fat, but it may help reduce fluid load and tissue tension, which supports comfort and mobility. Lipedema cannot be cured, but it can be managed.
WHO IT IS FOR
Who our support is designed for
We support women whose lipedema has been diagnosed by a physician, as well as those who are seeking medical advice and wish to build a conservative routine in the meantime. Typical situations include:
- legs that feel heavy, tight or painful, particularly towards the end of the day or in warm weather;
- sensitivity to touch and easy bruising;
- difficulty finding, tolerating or maintaining the right compression;
- preparing for lipedema surgery, or recovering after a procedure;
- lipedema combined with fluid retention or lymphedema, where focused lymphatic support is helpful.
For broader background, visit our lipedema page.
OUR APPROACH
A conservative, multidisciplinary approach
Lipedema calls for a coherent plan rather than isolated sessions. Every programme begins with a thorough assessment: your history, your physician’s findings, the condition of your skin and tissue, your daily demands and your personal goals.
From there, your support is built around four pillars:
- Manual lymphatic drainage: gentle, rhythmic techniques that support lymphatic flow and may help reduce fluid load in the tissue. Learn more about lymphatic drainage in Limburg.
- Compression guidance: help with understanding, wearing and sustaining the compression prescribed by your physician or fitter.
- Movement: advice on tissue-friendly activity such as walking, swimming or cycling, which engages the muscle pump without overloading the tissue.
- Tissue care: where appropriate and after assessment, fascial mobilisation, therapeutic taping, photobiomodulation (PBM) or Endermologie/LPG to support tissue suppleness.
We work in coordination with your physician and refer you to a doctor, compression specialist or other professional whenever that is in your interest. There is no standard number of sessions; it is determined together after assessment.
AROUND SURGERY
Support before and after lipedema surgery
If you and your surgeon decide on a surgical procedure, support beforehand can help prepare the tissue: a lower fluid load, greater familiarity with compression and a clear understanding of what recovery involves.
After surgery, we follow the logic of the NCT Method®, adapted to each phase of wound healing. Timings vary per person and per procedure:
- Inflammatory phase (roughly the first 7 to 10 days): very gentle work, with no deep pressure.
- Proliferative phase (approximately day 7/10 to 21): controlled progression, early fascial mobilisation and taping.
- Remodelling phase (from approximately day 21, for several months): progressive scar work and technology once the tissue is ready.
When aftercare can begin depends on the procedure and the surgeon’s approval; it is often within the first week. See also postoperative recovery and post-liposuction aftercare in Belgium.
LIMITS AND SAFETY
What we do, and what we do not
Our support is conservative and complementary. We do not diagnose, we do not prescribe medication and we do not perform medical acts. A diagnosis of lipedema is always made by a physician, and your physician or surgeon remains your first point of contact.
Contact your surgeon or physician immediately if you notice:
- fever or feeling generally unwell;
- pain that is increasing rather than easing;
- redness or warmth of the skin;
- sudden or one-sided swelling;
- any wound problem, such as opening, discharge or odour.
Call 112 in case of calf pain with swelling, or shortness of breath.
LOCATIONS
Maasmechelen and Meise
Our main location is at Koninginnelaan 72, 3630 Maasmechelen, in the province of Limburg. It is easily reached from Genk, Hasselt, Lanaken and Maaseik, as well as from the Dutch border region around Maastricht.
Two days a week, we also see clients in Meise (Flemish Brabant), within a plastic surgery clinic. The exact address is shared when your appointment is confirmed. Practical details are available on our contact page.
MAISON IPANEMA
Why Maison Ipanema
Maison Ipanema Institute was founded by Neiva Cimini, originally from Rio de Janeiro and based in Belgium since 2015. She is a certified massage therapist recognised by the Belgian Federation of Massage Therapy, holds a postgraduate qualification in dermatofunctional physiotherapy (Brazil) and has further training in lymphology, wound-healing physiology and mechanobiology. Neiva is not a physician or physiotherapist; her work lies in tissue support and recovery.
She created the NCT Method® and is an invited speaker at ISAPS Body Masters 2026 in Barcelona, as well as a speaker and member of the scientific committee of Beyond The Scalpel in Brussels. We welcome clients in Dutch, English, French and Portuguese. You may also be interested in postoperative massage in Maasmechelen or our homepage.
Practical information
Maasmechelen · Limburg
Maison Ipanema Institute
Koninginnelaan 72, 3630 Maasmechelen (Limburg, Belgium)
+32 471 46 37 02 · reception@maisonipanema.be
Languages: Dutch, English, French, Portuguese
View on Google Maps →Meise (Flemish Brabant)
Treatments inside a plastic surgery clinic, two days a week. The address is shared when your appointment is made.
Frequently asked questions
Answered honestly.
Can lipedema be cured?
No. Lipedema is a chronic condition that cannot be cured, but it can be managed. Conservative support focuses on comfort, mobility, pain and quality of life, and it does not remove lipedema fat.
Do I need a diagnosis before starting?
A diagnosis of lipedema is always made by a physician. If you suspect lipedema but have not yet been diagnosed, we recommend consulting a doctor first. We are glad to align our support with their findings.
How many sessions will I need?
There is no standard number of sessions. The rhythm and length of your programme are determined together after assessment, based on your tissue, your symptoms and your goals.
Does manual lymphatic drainage replace compression?
No. Compression and lymphatic drainage complement each other. Drainage supports the clearance of fluid, while compression helps maintain that effect in daily life. We can also help you wear your compression more comfortably.
When can I start after lipedema surgery?
This depends on the procedure and the surgeon's approval; it is often within the first week. In the first phase we work very gently, with no deep pressure, and timings vary from person to person.
Where do appointments take place?
Our main location is Koninginnelaan 72 in Maasmechelen, Limburg. Two days a week we also work in Meise, inside a plastic surgery clinic; the address is shared when you book.
Begin with a first conversation
The first conversation matters: it lays the foundation for a programme that fits your tissue and your life. Schedule your assessment via WhatsApp on +32 471 46 37 02 or write to reception@maisonipanema.be.
Maison Ipanema Institute does not perform medical procedures, diagnoses or prescriptions. All care is non-medical, conservative and complementary to the treatment provided by your physician.
Maison Ipanema
Institute
Postoperative recovery, lymphology and lipedema support in Limburg and Belgium. Founded by Neiva Cimini.
Areas
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