June is Lipedema Awareness month, and as such Dr. Thomas Wright and his staff at Laser Lipo and Vein Center, are sharing information about this potentially serious medical condition.
What is Lipedema?
Lipedema is a condition that affects the adipose (fatty/fat) tissues, usually in the legs and sometimes the arms. Lipedema causes these areas to accumulate fatty tissue. The condition is characterized by the following:
- It can be an inherited condition
- It is usually a condition exclusive to women
- It can occur in all sizes of people — from obese individuals to those who are underweight
- It presents as excess deposit of fat in unusual and particular patterns
- Unlike regular fat, lipedema fat usually cannot be eliminated through exercise and diet.
It is important to note that lipedema is often mistaken as obesity or lymphedema. The symptoms of lipedema are legs that look like columns and have larger lower halves. Additionally, they are often tender and may bruise easily. One way to visualize this condition is to image your body having a size 8 top, with a size 16 bottom. As lipedema progresses, the fat deposits continue to build, causing the body to grow heavier. In some cases, this lipedmic fat can also collect in the arms.
Treating Lipedema
You should note that lipedema does not respond to diet and exercise; however, you should still maintain a good exercise and diet routine as they can still help you reduce non-lipedema fat, as well as reduce inflammation.
The main treatment for lipedema involves decongestive therapy that includes manual lymphatic drainage that is a massage technique using movements to stimulate the flow of lymph fluids in the blocked areas back to healthy vessels. The therapy also includes using compression garments to increase pressure in the swollen areas and reduce fluid build up. Additionally, regular exercise can reduce fluid build up and boost mobility. Finally, liposuction techniques, especially water assisted procedures and tumescent lipo, can remove lipedema fat.
If you are concerned about lipedema or just want to know more, please contact us at Laser Lipo and Vein Center. We are happy to sit down with you to discuss this condition. We understand that it can be a very uncomfortable condition and we will help you find the best treatment or procedure to help you.
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