Understanding Lipoedema: Causes, impacts, and treatment

In his latest online article, Mr Brian Simons gives us his insights into Lipoedema. He explains what it is, the impacts, the causes and the treatment.

What is Lipoedema?

Lipoedema, also known as lipedema, is a debilitating condition that predominantly affects women, accounting for approximately 11% of women worldwide. This condition is characterized by an abnormal buildup of fat in the legs and sometimes in the arms, leading to a painful and challenging experience for those who suffer from it. Unfortunately, despite its prevalence, lipoedema remains underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed, resulting in patients often being advised to lose weight, despite their efforts yielding little to no results.

What are the impacts of Lipoedema?

The profound effects of this condition are exacerbated by its hidden and widely unacknowledged nature, leading to discrimination, judgment, and reduced mobility, which can result in the development of other related health problems. As a result, patients frequently face considerable mental health difficulties, struggling with issues related to body image, self-esteem, and self-confidence, wrongly associating their challenges with weight gain, which they feel helpless in managing.

 Fortunately, in the UK, there are support groups dedicated to addressing this matter, providing valuable information and assistance to those seeking a better understanding and coping mechanisms.

What are the causes of Lipoedema?

The exact causes of lipoedema remain unknown; however, it is believed that hormonal changes, such as those occurring during puberty, pregnancy, menopause, and the use of contraceptive pills, could potentially be contributing factors

Most common symptoms of lipoedema are:

• The lower body being out of proportion to the upper body

• Weight gain predominantly in the hips, thighs and knees which is usually symmetrical.
• Excess weight not seen on hands or feet.
• Unexplained bruising.
• Ability to lose weight from upper body but not lower body.
• Affected areas may be sensitive to touch and pressure.
• Pain and heaviness felt in the affected areas.
• Skin of the affected areas can appear dimpled like orange peel.

What is the treatment for Lipoedema?

Liposuction is among the highly recommended treatments for Lipoedema, offering promising results for patients seeking relief from this condition. According to the Lipoedema UK 2021 Survey titled "Living with Lipoedema – Liposuction and Other Treatments," which involved 933 women with Lipoedema, an impressive 92% of participants reported a significant reduction in limb size and swelling after undergoing liposuction treatment. Furthermore, 87% of the respondents reported an overall improvement in their quality of life following the procedure.

While some patients may find benefits from an active lifestyle, weight loss efforts, compression garment usage, and lymphatic massages, liposuction can provide an additional stage of treatment for enhanced outcomes.

Mr Brian Simons is a highly regarded plastic surgeon with over 10 years of experience. You can book an appointment with him today on his Top Doctor’s profile.