See this 25-year-old female patient who uses VASER HD liposuction to address her body contouring concerns.
Adiposis dolorosa, meaning painful fat or lipedema, is a fatty tissue disorder characterized commonly by disproportionate adipocyte hypertrophy. The extensive overgrowth of fat cells results in the stretching and thinning out of the overlying skin and compression of nerve fibers. Compression neuropathy is the root cause of the pain associated with lipedema. The real dilemma is whether the root cause of lipedema can be eliminated.
While lipedema can present in different ways, it is commonly seen in female legs. Women with lipedema fail to respond to extreme weight loss modalities, and even under strict diets, the lower extremities remain as a “taut 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. This uncontrolled growth of fat deposits will inevitably compromise lymphatic drainage and subsequent thinning out of the overlying skin.
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 preferentially accumulates in the lower extremities and can begin in adolescence. The condition is, however, mostly found in female patients that experience hormonal changes like puberty, pregnancy, or menopause. Although not proven genetics causes lipedema, family history is suspected of factoring 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 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.
