Lymphedema Surgery Center
Part of Cardiovascular Health
Leaders in Lymphedema and Lipedema Treatment
Our surgeons specialize in new approaches that improve quality of life for people with lymphedema and lipedema. Stanford participates in clinical trials that offer our patients advanced treatment options based on the latest research.
What We Offer You for Lymphatic Disorders
- Specialized expertise in diagnosing and treating lipedema and all forms of lymphedema in their early and late stages. Go to Conditions Treated
- Advanced treatment options for lymphedema and lipedema, including liposuction, lymph node transfer, and lymphovenous bypass, to improve quality of life. Go to Treatments
- Team-based approach to treatment with surgeons, cardiologists, and other specialists from multiple fields working together to plan and deliver your care. Go to Your Care Team
- Clinical trials for lymphedema care, including the encouraging national BioBridge study that fosters growth of new lymph vessels to bypass blockages. Go to Clinical Trials
- Comprehensive support services such as assistance with insurance coverage and the Surgical Lymphedema App that walks you through the pre- and post-op process. Go to Support Services
- Ease of access to lymphedema and lipedema surgeons at two convenient locations in the Bay Area for coordinated care close to home and work. Go to Accessing Care
We offer advanced, comprehensive treatment for people with lymphedema and lipedema. Whether the condition is in its earliest stage or you come to us after other therapy options have failed, we have experience and success in treating these conditions.
Depending on your needs, we may use a single treatment or combine therapies to give you the best results. Our expertise includes care for:
Stanford is pioneering the way in developing advanced treatments for lymphedema and lipedema. As an academic medical center, we get firsthand experience with new technology and innovations in lymphatic system care.
INNOVATION HIGHLIGHTS
- Stanford is the lead site of a promising National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded clinical trial that uses a collagen-based fiber, known as a BioBridge, to regenerate blood and lymphatic vessels in people who have undergone lymph node transfer. With this combined procedure, people have experienced volume reduction in the affected area by an average of 60%.
- We are using new liposuction techniques in lipedema that allows us to remove thick, fibrous tissue that traditional liposuction cannot treat.
All Treatments
Depending on your situation and lifestyle, we may use one treatment method or a combination. Our surgical treatments include:
Tumescent liposuction: During this outpatient procedure for lipedema, the doctor injects the affected areas with a solution containing epinephrine to help reduce bleeding and swelling and lidocaine as a local anesthetic. The surgeon then uses a gentle, vacuum-like instrument to remove excess fat.
Dry liposuction: The doctor inserts a small vacuum-like tool through a small incision in the targeted area to remove the buildup of fluid and tissue. This outpatient procedure is less invasive than traditional debulking and requires less recovery time.
Lymphovenous bypass: During this minimally invasive outpatient procedure, the surgeon creates a pathway between obstructed blood and lymph vessels to restore lymph drainage. Rerouting those connections can help reduce swelling over the long term.
Lymph node transfer: A surgeon transplants healthy lymph nodes and vessels from other parts of the body to the area with lymphedema. Stanford is one of the few centers in the country that uses reverse lymphatic mapping (injecting a safe dye into the lymph system to see how it drains). This procedure ensures that the donor site does not develop lymphedema after surgery.
Debulking: We may use this procedure as an alternative to liposuction in some cases. The surgeon makes an incision to remove tissue and fluid from the affected area. At Stanford, we save as much of your skin as possible and use skin grafts from other parts of the body for reconstruction if necessary.
Treatments by Condition
We offer a personalized approach to care and treat all types of lymphatic disorders – from the earliest stages to the most severe. Read more about our treatments for these conditions:
Clinical Trials
Our surgeons are instrumental in paving the way for groundbreaking treatments for lymphedema and lipedema. Stanford is the lead site for a revolutionary, NIH-funded clinical trial using lymph node transfer with BioBridge. This bioengineered collagen product helps regenerate blood and lymph vessels to build new channels for better lymph flow.
Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, advanced clinical trials. Open trials refer to studies currently accepting participants. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but may open in the future. To learn more about the clinical trials we offer, contact Leslie Roche, RN at (650) 723-1396.
Your Lymphedema and Lipedema Care Team
At Stanford, our highly experienced plastic and reconstructive surgeons collaborate with doctors from multiple disciplines, including cardiology, oncology, urology, and radiology, to provide you with tailored, coordinated care. Our skilled team works together to develop a personalized plan for you, using the latest treatments for lymphedema and lipedema.
Your Doctors
Plastic And Reconstructive Surgeon
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons specialize in the most current ways to treat lymphedema and lipedema through surgery. They work with you to choose the leading surgical techniques that fit your unique situation and give you the best results.
View All {0} Plastic And Reconstructive Surgeons »Cardiologist
Cardiologists specialize in treating early-stage lymphedema through nonsurgical therapies, like compression therapy, lymphatic drainage, and long-term management. If you are having surgery, they perform a full medical evaluation at the Center for Lymphatic and Venous Disorders and collaborate with our surgeons to provide you with comprehensive care.
View All {0} Cardiologists »Multidisciplinary Partners
Our doctors work with various specialists to determine the best plan for you. For example, if lymphedema stems from cancer treatment, our doctors work with the oncologists at our Cancer Center to create a plan that coordinates with your cancer treatment.
Your doctors may team up with many other Stanford specialists, including:
- Interventional radiologists
- Urologists
- Vascular surgeons
- Nuclear medicine specialists
Stanford is an Academic Medical Center, which is a type of hospital setting where doctors teach the entire spectrum of medical education. Students range from beginning medical students to fully licensed and practicing doctors completing advanced subspecialty training. Stanford Medicine is a partnership between Stanford University School of Medicine and Stanford Health Care. Since Stanford is a teaching hospital, you can expect to meet many providers and providers in training:
- Attending physician: a doctor who supervises doctors in training or in medical school
- Fellow: a doctor doing postgraduate level work and specializing in care of patients with specific conditions
- Resident: a doctor who has graduated from medical school and is in training (also called “residency”) here at Stanford. A resident is also called an intern.
- Medical student: a student who is currently enrolled in medical school with the goal of becoming a doctor
Extended Care Team
Advanced Practice Providers (APP)
Advanced practice providers, such as nurse practitioners or physician assistants, work side-by-side with doctors to help with treatment and provide support, such as writing prescriptions and changing dressings. APPs also help provide pre- or post-op care, coordinate with other clinics, and answer your questions.
Nurse Coordinators
Nurse coordinators guide you through the entire process and handle all nonsurgical components of your care. They schedule surgery and appointments, handle disability and insurance paperwork, and collaborate with the finance office and social workers, if needed.
Physical Therapists
We provide referrals to trained physical therapists in your local community who specialize in lymphedema support.
Support Services
We offer a vast array of support services to help you feel your best throughout the entire treatment process. In addition to providing referrals to trained physical therapists in your local community who specialize in lymphedema support, our doctors write prescriptions for the customized compression garments you will need to wear before and after surgery. Other support services include:
- Case Management
- Financial Counseling
- Guest Services
- Integrative Medicine (acupuncture, massage)
- Interpreter Services
- Nutrition Services
- Spiritual Care
- Stanford Health Library
- Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic
- Cancer Care Services (for cancer treatment)
We make it easy to access the care and support you need, at our two convenient locations in the Bay Area.
Frequently Asked Questions
We participate in a wide range of insurance plans. View the list of insurance plans accepted by Stanford Health Care »
Have insurance or pre-authorization questions? The Patient Financial Clearance team is available Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., to answer your questions. Please call 650-724-4445 or 1-877-291-7335 (toll free).
When choosing a doctor, it’s important to consider the doctor’s clinical training, experience and expertise in a specialized area that matches your health care needs.
You can find the right Stanford doctor for you by using our doctor directory and filtering the results based on a medical category, specialty, or doctor’s last name. View our list of Lymphatic Surgeons >>
We offer a number of support services, including support groups, interpreter services, nutrition services, a health library, and a variety of classes and events. Learn more about our support services »
You can call the Lymphedema Surgery Center directly to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors. Call 650-498-6004 to make an appointment.
Yes, Stanford Health Care offers financial assistance for patients who are uninsured or underinsured. Meet with one of our financial counselors to find the best approach to paying for your health care. Financial counselors are available Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Learn more about financial assistance services »
You will also need to have the following information with you when you check in:
- Insurance card
- A form of payment for any co-pays or deductibles
- One form of photo ID:
- Valid state-issued driver’s license
- Valid state-issued ID card
- Valid passport
- Valid U.S. Military ID card
- Valid U.S. Permanent Resident Card
Always feel free to bring someone with you to your appointments. A family member or friend can help ask questions, remember the information your care team gives you, and provide support.
Write down your questions before your appointment and rank them in order of importance, beginning with the most important ones. If there isn’t enough time to have all your questions answered during your appointment, ask your doctor who you can speak with to get your other questions answered.
The Lymphedema Surgery Center is located at the two following addresses:
Lymphedema Surgery Center - Palo Alto:
Stanford Women’s Cancer Center
900 Blake Wilbur Drive
First Floor
Stanford, CA 94304
Phone: 650-498-6004
Please plan to arrive 20-30 minutes prior to your appointment time due to construction near the main hospital campus. This will allow you plenty of time to park, locate your clinic and complete any additional paperwork.
Valet and self-parking options are available for a fee.
Lymphedema Surgery Center - South Bay:
Stanford Cancer Center South Bay
2589 Samaritan Drive
San Jose, CA 95124
Phone: 408-426-4900
Please print, fill out, and return the Medical Record Release Form to your new patient coordinator. The medical release form is an authorization form for external facilities to release medical records to Stanford Health Care.
You have multiple options when it comes to paying your bill.
- Online:
- You can pay your bill in MyHealth or the MyHealth mobile app, our secure health information tool for patients
- You can also pay as a guest without creating a login.
- By mail:
- Stanford Health Care Hospital Payment Processing P.O. Box 740715, Los Angeles, CA 90074-0715
- By calling a Customer Service Representative at 1-800-549-3720, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
For more information about billing, visit our Billing page.
Patient billing services at Stanford Health Care are provided by the billing office. To inquire about a bill that you received, please contact customer service:
Stanford Hospital Billing
Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
1-800-549-3720
We offer a number of support services, including support groups, interpreter services, nutrition services, a health library, and a variety of classes and events. Learn more about our support services »
To determine if a clinical trial is right for you, talk to your doctor. He or she can refer you to a research coordinator for more information on studies that may be right for your specific condition.
You can also find the guidelines for who can participate in a particular clinical trial online. However, it is best to work with your doctor to decide the right care approach for your needs.
Please call our clinic receptionists at 650-498-6004. They are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to help you reschedule or cancel your appointment.
Many of our programs are available to international patients.
Our International Medicine Services team can help you find the right doctor, estimate medical costs, book travel, and get you information about Stanford programs and services.
Please call +1 650-723-8561 or email IMS@stanfordhealthcare.org to get started.
For Referring Physicians
PHYSICIAN HELPLINE
Fax: 650-320-9443
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Stanford Health Care provides comprehensive services to refer and track patients, as well as the latest information and news for physicians and office staff. For help with all referral needs and questions, visit Referral Information.
You may also submit a web referral or complete a referral form and fax it to 650-320-9443 or email the Referral Center at ReferralCenter@stanfordhealthcare.org.
You can request an appointment at one of two locations:
Lymphedema Surgery Clinic Palo Alto: 650-498-6004.
Lymphedema Surgery Clinic South Bay: 408-426-4900.