Many doctors mistake it for obesity or lymphedema due to similar swelling. Since BMI-based diagnoses dominate healthcare, patients are often told to “just lose weight”, despite dieting and exercise not resolving the condition.
What exactly is lipedema?
Lipedema is a medical condition that mainly affects women. It’s often confused with obesity, but it’s not the same thing. It is a chronic and progressive condition in which there is irregular fat deposition, especially on the legs, buttocks and sometimes even arms. The fat cells accumulate in unnatural ways, which can cause a lot of discomfort, swelling and sometimes even mobility issues. It’s pretty common for this to happen when there are hormonal changes, like during puberty, pregnancy or menopause.
What’s the main difference between this and classic obesity? Lipedema doesn’t affect the whole body. It’s totally possible that the rest of your body stays nice and slim, while your legs gradually get bigger.
How can you recognise it?
✅ Symmetrical fat distribution – Unlike lymphedema, which usually affects one limb, lipedema affects both sides of the body evenly.
✅ Fat deposits stop at the ankles/wrists – There is often a noticeable “bracelet” or “cuff” effect where the fat accumulation abruptly stops at the ankles or wrists, leaving the feet and hands unaffected.
✅ Pain, tenderness, and easy bruising – Affected areas can be painful to the touch, even without significant pressure, and prone to bruising due to fragile capillaries.
✅ Firm, nodular fat texture – The skin may feel lumpy or have a “bean bag” texture due to the formation of small, fibrotic nodules in the subcutaneous fat.
✅ Legs feel heavy and swell throughout the day – While lipedema is not the same as lymphedema, some fluid retention can occur, worsening swelling by the evening.
✅ Fat does not respond to diet and exercise – Unlike regular weight gain, lipedema persists even in calorie-restricted diets or intensive exercise programs.
The condition is treatable
Lipedema is a progressive condition (if untreated, it worsens over time), but there are management options. The great news is that is fully treatable!
There are lots of conservative and long-term treatments that can improve your condition, including compression underwear, lymphatic drainage and special exercises. But if you want to get rid of it immediately and completely, there is a solution! Liposuction (Water-Assisted, Tumescent, or PAL Liposuction) is one of the most effective ways to remove lipedema fat permanently. Unlike cosmetic liposuction, specialized techniques are required to avoid damaging lymphatic structures.
In ROYAL MEDICAL we know how to approach a special treatment to vanish unwanted lipedema at your body. Let us know, we are here to help you too.