Not sure if you’re dealing with lipedema or simply struggling with weight gain? Here’s the key: not all fat is created equal.
While commonly confused, lipedema and obesity are quite different and indicate very specific characteristics. Before you beat yourself up when the needle on the scale fails to budge after months of diligent exercise and diet regimens, let’s take a look at the differences between obesity and lipedema.
Understanding the Key Differences Between Lipedema and Obesity
Lipedema is a fat deposition disorder that affects roughly 11% of the female population. While obesity doesn’t lead to lipedema, lipedema can progress to obesity, especially if left untreated, mismanaged, or misdiagnosed.
It’s important to note that while lipedema and obesity both involve excess fat, they are distinct conditions with unique causes and effects. Understanding these differences can help you avoid misdiagnosis and make sure you’re pursuing the right treatment options.
Unlike obesity, which is primarily driven by lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise, lipedema is a genetic disorder often triggered by hormonal changes. This condition results in the abnormal accumulation of fat that is resistant to traditional weight loss methods, such as diet and exercise.
Obesity, on the other hand, is generally linked to overconsumption of calories and lack of physical activity. It typically affects both genders and can be managed with lifestyle changes like proper diet and exercise. Lipedema, however, does not respond to these measures in the same way.
Let’s now explore the unique characteristics of lipedema to help you better understand how it differs from obesity.
Characteristics of Lipedema
- Affects the lower region of the body, specifically buttocks, thighs, and calves, causing “cankles” and sparing the feet. In later stages, lipedema fat may affect the arms, sparing the hands. The body assumes a distinctive, column-like structure.
- Lipedema fat is hard, lumpy, and painful to the touch, leading to swelling, bruising, and soreness.
- Lipedema characteristics begin to take shape during the onset of puberty, pregnancy, or another hormonal milestone in a woman’s life.
- Lipedema fat doesn’t respond to diet or exercise and often requires surgical intervention for effective mitigation that will lead to an improved quality of life. Non-invasive treatments, such as compression garments and lymphatic drainage massage may relieve painful symptoms in the earlier stages of the fat deposition disorder.
- It’s possible to have lipedema and still be fit, especially if the disorder is being properly managed.
- If lipedema is misdiagnosed or left untreated, it can easily lead one on the path to obesity.
- Mobility may become limited if left untreated.
Characteristics of Obesity
- Fat accumulation affects both men and women, including children of any age.
- Fat accumulation in obese people responds positively to proper diet and exercise.
- Fat accumulates mostly in the center of the body, specifically around the abdomen, buttocks, and hips.
- Fat isn’t hard, lumpy, nor painful.
- Except in rare cases, mobility is not threatened.
- Excess fat in obese individuals can pose serious health risks, such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular dysfunction.
BMI and the Link Between Obesity and Lipedema
Both lipedema and obesity can increase one’s BMI (Body Mass Index). If lipedema is misdiagnosed as obesity, patients will inevitably grow frustrated with their futile fitness efforts to shed the packing pounds and succumb to an unhealthy lifestyle that can worsen their lipedema, progressing into obesity and dangerously increasing their BMI.
The key to keeping your lipedema in check is to be properly diagnosed and adhere to a rigorous treatment plan, as specified by your doctor. If you are managing your lipedema with compression garment therapy, lymphatic drainage massage, whole-body vibration, or surgical intervention—such as Manual Lipedema Extraction—it’s essential to stay committed to your treatment plan. Consistent management helps prevent your lipedema from progressing into more advanced, debilitating stages or leading to obesity.
To learn more, please contact us at our Beverly Hills, California office to schedule a consultation with any of our highly trained specialists