Lipoedema & Its Impact on Women’s Health

An adipose (fat) tissue disorder that almost exclusively affects women, lipoedema is an important but often neglected area of women’s health. It is both poorly recognised and often misdiagnosed as obesity; many women struggle to get an accurate, timely diagnosis and access to the best ways to manage it. There are many different treatment strategies for lipoedema, and tumescent liposculpture may be considered as a treatment option for a lot of women. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Lipoedema is the abnormal  buildup and swelling of fat cells in the legs and hips (and sometimes arms) that almost exclusively affects women. It is a chronic condition that changes the shape of the body, and normal weight loss strategies are often not effective in alleviating it.

• Lipoedema is a progressive condition that affects women’s health and well-being both physically and emotionally, with commonly associated issues that include pain, compromised mobility, and significant body image concerns.

• Lipoedema can also lead to anxiety, embarrassment, depression, joint issues, flat feet, knock-knees, venous disease, and secondary lymphoedema or lipo-lymphoedema.

• Tumescent liposculpture for lipoedema at Be Sculptured can be one of many effective, minimally invasive treatment approaches, ideally for women with Stage 1 or Stage 2 lipoedema, often relieving a lot of symptoms and attempts to put the body into more natural proportions.

What is Lipoedema?

It is estimated that as many as 1 in 9 Australian women are affected by lipoedema. 

Lipoedema is a chronic, progressive disorder of the connective and adipose tissue that can be very debilitating. It rarely affects biological men (if so, usually in the presence of male hormonal dysfunction such as low testosterone or liver disease) and is characterised by the uneven accumulation of abnormal fat in the legs, hips, buttocks, and sometimes the arms. The hands and feet tend to not display swelling from lipoedema.

Types of Lipoedema:

Type I: Fat is between the navel and hips

Type II: Fat is between the pelvis and knees

Type III: Fat is between the pelvis and ankles

Type IV: Fat is between the shoulders and wrists

Type V: Fat is between the knees and ankles

Lipoedema severity is classified as:

Stage 1: The skin appears normal and feels smooth, but small nodules of fat tissue can be palpated.

Stage 2: The surface of the skin is uneven and larger fatty nodules can be both palpated and seen.

Stage 3: Large fatty nodules are present, especially in the thighs and knees, with trunk-like legs and large skin/fat folds. Balance, mobility, and joint health can be impaired.

Stage 4: Lipo-lymphoedema develops and there are large tissue overhangs on the legs (or arms). This indicates the concurrent presence of both lipoedema and lymphoedema.

Why Does Lipoedema Primarily Affect Women?

Lipoedema appears to have a genetic basis and is more likely to occur in women whose mother or grandmother was affected. 

The condition is associated with the female hormone oestrogen. It usually presents for the first time during periods of hormonal shift or upheaval, including at the onset of puberty, during pregnancy, or at menopause. It may also occur whilst using hormonal contraception that contains oestrogen (combined oral contraceptive pill, contraceptive vaginal ring, etc). It is also more common in women with a very high BMI, as fat cells play a role in oestrogen production, especially after menopause. 

Lipoedema Symptoms in Women  

• Symmetrical swelling of the legs between the hips and ankles (or arms from shoulders to wrists)
• Legs appear “trunk-like”
• Skin in affected areas can feel cool, spongy, or soft and may look dimpled (like orange peel)
• Easy bruising
• Pain/tenderness/sensitivity on light touch
• Heaviness or discomfort of affected areas later in the day, in hot or humid weather, or after physical activity
• Distinct visual signs of fatty tissue deposits
• Non-pitting (pitting suggests lymphoedema, which is a disorder of the lymphatic system)
• No wounds or discolouration on the lower legs (as would suggest venous disease)
• Fatty tissue presentation that is not compatible with an obesity diagnosis (in obesity or overweight, the entire body exhibits signs of excess fat deposits)

Note that lipoedema is not related to obesity or weight gain, but it does often occur concurrently in women who are obese or overweight. Unlike being overweight or obese, lipoedema does not respond to exercise or diet.

Any body type can experience this condition.

What is the Impact of Lipoedema on Daily Life?

Too many women impacted by lipoedema remain undiagnosed, and some will be misdiagnosed as having obesity. 

This is a very painful condition for a lot of women, and the affected area is commonly tender, swollen, and more likely to bruise. It can become difficult to walk, exercise, and perform daily tasks due to pain, heaviness, and discomfort.

The impact is not just physical, and it can have very detrimental effects on one’s self-esteem and body confidence. It can also make shopping for clothing difficult, as sizing to accommodate swollen limbs but a normal-sized torso, or a large disparity between the size of the upper and lower body, can be near impossible.

A lot of affected women will go on to develop associated health issues including joint problems, obesity, and secondary lymphoedema (another chronic condition that causes swelling in the body’s soft tissues due to a buildup of lymph fluid, this occurs when the lymphatic system is not working properly).

Tips for Living With Lipoedema

• Try to maintain a healthy weight and address health issues like obesity, diabetes, and arthritis with your GP.
• Exercise gently and regularly – walking, swimming, or biking can help improve mobility, reduce weight gain, and minimise swelling.
• Try eating a healthy, anti-inflammatory or heart-healthy diet (e.g. Mediterranean diet) and drink plenty of water.
• Keep your skin moisturised.
• Wearing compression stockings may help.
• Book a consult at Be Sculptured to assess whether you are a good candidate for liposculpture for lipoedema.

Get Relief From Lipoedema at Be Sculptured

You don’t need to suffer in silence, as there are effective treatments that can improve outcomes for women with lipoedema, improving comfort, reducing swelling, and building confidence.

Be Sculptured is a renowned, centrally-located Sydney liposculpture clinic with a satellite clinic situated on the Gold Coast. Our experienced liposculpture proceduralist offers liposuction for people who have mild to moderate lipoedema. 

Our lipoedema liposuction procedures do not require overnight hospital admission or general anaesthetic.

Please note that our liposculpture liposuction procedures are limited for Stage 1 or Stage 2 lipoedema and that to be eligible for liposculpture for lipoedema at Be Sculptured, your BMI (body mass index) must be below 35. 

Why not get the ball rolling now on a happier, healthier future?

Call 0484 898 977 or visit our website today to book a consultation with our liposculpture proceduralist, Dr Meaghan Heckenberg. 

Alternatively, request a consultation here or send us an email at [email protected].