Download Our Surgical Team’s free Liposuction eBook
Adiposis dolorosa, meaning painful fat, or lipedema, is an adipose tissue disorder characterized commonly by disproportionate adipocyte hypertrophy. Can cause of lipedema be fixed?
While lipedema can present in different ways, it is commonly seen in female legs. Women who have lipedema fail to respond to extreme weight loss modalities, and even under strict diets, the lower extremities remain as a “column leg.”
Masses of nodular fat in the legs characterize this disease. While the symptoms may be easy to see, the cause of lipedema is significantly more difficult to pinpoint.
Cause of Lipedema
While there are several ideas, the cause of lipedema is still unknown and our research and understanding of the disease are still growing. Lipedema may begin if excess weight is significantly gained.
Excess weight is preferentially accumulated in the lower extremities and can begin in adolescence. The condition is however mostly found in female patients that experience any hormonal changes like puberty, pregnancy or menopause. Although not proven that genetics causes lipedema, family history is suspected to factor in the occurrence of lipedema.
Is lipedema a part of obesity?
Initially, it’s difficult to tell the difference between obesity and lipedema. Although obesity does not cause lipedema, patients who are overweight or obese often suffer from this condition.
However, people with that are of normal weight may also be affected. In the case of lipedema, fat can be seen particularly in the legs, hips, and buttocks, but the upper body usually stays unaffected, however with an obese patient the fat affects the entire body.
Fortunately, high definition VASER liposuction is a proven technique to address weight gain, whether it is caused by lipedema or not. If you are curious about your condition and would like to speak with a trained specialist on the cause of lipedema and how to fix it, contact us for a free consultation today.
See this 25-year-old female patient who uses VASER HD liposuction to address her body contouring concerns.
