Lipoedema surgery in Spain, with a female specialist and a real hospital behind her
For women from the UK and Ireland living with lipoedema. The NHS does not fund liposuction for lipoedema, and many women end up searching for surgery abroad with very little to go on. Dr. María Lourdes Yagües is a plastic surgeon who has made lipoedema her main field. She operates at Hospital Quirónsalud Málaga, a full private hospital under three hours from London, and she sees international patients the way the best clinics do: an online assessment first, a written all-inclusive quote before you book a flight, and follow-up by video once you are home.
- A surgeon who specialises in lipoedema, not a clinic that also does it. She diagnoses it, stages it, treats it conservatively when that is the right call, and operates with water-assisted liposuction (WAL), the technique that is gentlest on vessels and lymphatics.
- A female plastic surgeon. Many women with lipoedema have spent years being told it was “just weight”. Being examined and listened to by a woman who understands the condition changes the whole experience.
- A real hospital. Intensive care, 24-hour medical cover and an international patient department with interpreters, hotel agreements and airport transfers. Not a boutique clinic, not an outpatient theatre.
- Everything in English, in writing. Consultations in English, a written quote that includes surgeon, anaesthetist, hospital, garment and all follow-up visits, and video reviews at 1, 3 and 6 months.
What her patients say
Verified Google reviews from lipoedema patients (translated from Spanish).
★★★★★
Putting myself in the hands of Dr. Yagües (and her team) has been the best decision I have made since I was diagnosed with lipedema. Not only were they tremendously kind, the doctor is empathetic and speaks to you with all the care in the world. I personally was terrified of surgery and the way she explains everything reassured me…
Maria Barba
★★★★★
I had WAL liposuction for grade 1 lipedema and […] I finally see in the mirror the body I always dreamed of. After 3 years visiting doctors in different cities without feeling safe with any of them, I found Dr. Yagües in Málaga. From the moment I walked into her office I knew she was the right person: close, professional, human…
s RM
★★★★★
I found the doctor thanks to a former patient’s recommendation, and from the very first moment I knew I was in the best hands. I had been struggling with lipedema in my legs for a long time, and thanks to her I have recovered not only my physical well-being but also my confidence and my joy…
Margari
Surgery
Lipoedema surgery with water-assisted liposuction (WAL)
Intervention time
Surgery lasts 2 to 3 hours; one night in hospital
Anesthesia
General or spinal anaesthesia
Recovery
7 to 10 days in Málaga, then video follow-up from home
Price
From €6,000 per session, all-inclusive
First consultation 100€
This amount will be deducted from the total cost in all treatments (except lipedema) if you proceed with the surgery.
We offer financing options tailored to your needs.
First assessment by Dr. Yagües
Do you have lipoedema? Tell Dr. Yagües about your case
Dr. Yagües, a female surgeon specialising in lipoedema, reads every case personally and replies within 24 working hours with a first, no-obligation assessment. Hospital Quirónsalud Málaga.
Phone number
633 288 268
About Dr. María Lourdes Yagües
My dedication to medicine is a true calling. I discovered my vocation at the age of 14. I chose this specialty because it combines the scientific and the artistic. And my work allows me to help people. In consultations, we will address issues that go beyond the desire for cosmetic change, creating an atmosphere of tranquility, trust, security, and professionalism. I am proud to belong to some of the most prestigious societies worldwide, such as ASAPS, SECPRE, AECEP, SETGRA, and WOPRASS.
Contact
How it works, step by step
1. Online assessment from home
You fill in a short lipoedema questionnaire and send a few photographs. Dr. Yagües reviews them and you have a video consultation with her in English. She tells you honestly whether you have lipoedema, which stage, whether surgery makes sense in your case and how many sessions you would likely need. If surgery is not the right answer, she will tell you.
2. Written, all-inclusive quote
You receive a written quote that includes the surgeon and anaesthetist, the hospital stay, the operating theatre, the compression garment and all follow-up visits in Málaga. No hidden extras. Lipoedema surgery starts from €6,000 per session; the exact figure depends on the areas treated and the amount of tissue to remove.
3. Travel and stay
We recommend a stay of 7 to 10 days. Málaga airport has direct flights from most UK and Irish airports and is 15 minutes from the hospital. The hospital’s international department can arrange transfers and hotel rates; we also tell you which areas are convenient for a quiet recovery.
4. Pre-operative checks and surgery
The day before surgery you have your in-person consultation, blood tests and a Doppler ultrasound of the legs. Surgery lasts 2 to 3 hours under general or spinal anaesthesia and you stay one night in hospital.
5. Recovery in Málaga
You are reviewed at 48 hours and again before you fly. Most patients walk the same day, wear the compression garment from day one and can travel after 7 to 10 days with the surgeon’s go-ahead.
6. Follow-up from home
Video reviews at 1, 3 and 6 months and direct contact with the clinic on WhatsApp for anything in between. If a second session is needed, it is planned around your calendar, usually 3 to 6 months later.
What you can expect after lipoedema surgery
Less pain at rest and on pressure (in many cases it disappears), lighter legs, better mobility and a halt in the progression of the disease. Lipoedema surgery is a medical treatment, not a cosmetic one, and results are judged on how you feel and move, not only on how the legs look.
You can see real cases in our before and after gallery.
Frequently asked questions from UK and Irish patients
Is it safe to fly after lipoedema surgery?
Yes, once the surgeon has reviewed you, normally 7 to 10 days after surgery, wearing your compression garment and walking during the flight.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on the stage and the areas affected. Many patients need two sessions (for example thighs and knees, then calves and arms); some need only one, some three. Dr. Yagües tells you what to expect at the online assessment.
Will my insurance cover it?
Lipoedema is a recognised medical condition and some international insurers cover part of the treatment. We provide the medical reports you need to ask your insurer; we cannot guarantee their decision.
Do I need to speak Spanish?
No. Consultations are in English, and the hospital has an international department with interpreters.
Can I combine it with a holiday?
Think of it as a recovery trip rather than a holiday: gentle walks, rest and follow-up visits. The climate helps, but the first week is for healing.
This page provides general information. Only a clinical assessment can confirm a diagnosis of lipoedema and whether surgery is indicated in your case.
