About Us
, the French Lipoedema Association
Please allow us to introduce the three founding physicians of our association:
Dr. Nicolas Zwillinger, Dr. Paul Pittaluga, and Dr. Michèle Cazaubon.
Longtime friends and specialists in lipedema, they joined forces and pooled their expertise on February 16, 2024, to create this association.
Driven by a shared desire to better understand this complex condition, they have made it their mission to explore lipedema in all its complexity, taking into account various factors such as hormones, metabolism, and many others.
Each brings their own specialty to the table: plastic and cosmetic surgery, vascular surgery, and angiology. Their commitment to scientific research,medical education, and improving the management of lipedema is reflected in their daily practice. Together, they work to advance science and offer patients a comprehensive and innovative approach to this condition, which remains all too little understood.
Dr. ZWILLINGER
President
Dr. Nicolas Zwillinger, a renowned plastic and cosmetic surgeon, is now a leading authority in the treatment of lipedema. A 2004 graduate of the Paris V Faculty of Medicine and a 2006 trainee at Necker Hospital, he has built his career at prestigious Parisian hospitals, where he was notably awarded the Silver Medal of the Paris Hospitals.
A former assistant chief resident at the Hôpitaux de Paris, Dr. Zwillinger also holds a degree in microsurgery. He is an active member of renowned professional societies such as the French Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (SOFCEP) and the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS).
Deeply committed to raising awareness of and providing care for lipedema, he also serves as president of the France Lipoedème association, where he actively contributes to raising awareness and advancing research on this condition, which remains all too little known.
A pioneer in France in water-assisted liposuction (W.A.L.), Dr. Nicolas Zwillinger uses the most advanced surgical techniques to provide his patients with specialized and innovative care.
With an exceptional track record at renowned medical institutions such as Clinique Paris Étoile, the Clinique Sainte-Geneviève, and the Clinique du Trocadéro, Dr. Nicolas Zwillinger embodies excellence in plastic and cosmetic surgery.
Since 2006, he has practiced with passion, rigor, and an uncompromising commitment to the quality and safety of care, making each procedure a personalized and exceptional experience.
Today, as CEO of the Clinique Esthétique Paris Étoile, he personally meets with his patients, combining cutting-edge surgical expertise with personalized care.
Dr. PITTALUGA
, Treasurer
Dr. Paul Pittaluga is a leading authority in the field of vascular surgery and lipedema research. After graduating from the Faculty of Medicine in Nice in October 1995, he quickly distinguished himself through his commitment to medical excellence.
His many years of experience, gained in France and abroad—notably at the Mayo Clinic in the United States and atthe Universidad San Salvador in Buenos Aires, Argentina—have enriched his expertise and solidified his reputation on the global medical scene.
In January 2022, Dr. Paul Pittaluga founded the Riviera Veine Institut in Monaco, followed more recently by the Paris Veine Institut in the capital—leading centers in the field of vascular surgery that demonstrate his leadership and commitment to medical innovation.
It was within these institutions that he developed and perfected the ASVAL method for the treatment of varicose veins, a major breakthrough in vascular surgery. At the same time, as treasurer of the France Lipoedème association, he applies his expertise to research and raising awareness of this condition, which remains all too little known.
His involvement in prestigious international scientific societies, as well as his role as a reviewer for leading medical journals, illustrate his constant commitment to advancing the field. With more than 50 original articles, 36 book chapters, and over 600 presentations to his credit, his contributions have had a significant impact on medical practice and the understanding of the human venous system, making him a respected authority and a source of inspiration for his peers.
Dr. CAZAUBON
Founding Member
Dr. Michèle Cazaubon, a founding member of our association, is a renowned specialist in angiology with extensive expertise in the diagnosis and management of vascular diseases.
She has worked in some of Paris’s leading hospitals, including Bichat, La Pitié-Salpêtrière, and Ambroise Paré, as well as at renowned institutions such as the American Hospital of Neuilly and the Clinique du Val d’Or in Saint-Cloud, thereby gaining a diverse and comprehensive range of experience.
Dr. Michèle Cazaubon, a founding member of our association, offers her patients the most modern and appropriate vascular imaging techniques, with a particular focus on imaging of the lower extremities, especially in the context of lipedema, a recent area of specialization.
As Secretary General of the French Society of Angiology since 1998, she has developed an extensive network of contacts across various specialties, both nationally and internationally, demonstrating her commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and the continuous improvement of vascular care.
Trained in cardiology and angiology, Dr. Cazaubon takes a comprehensive approach to the management of vascular conditions, placing the quality of care and the well-being of her patients at the heart of her practice.