Saddlebags despite sport? How to recognise whether lipedema is the cause

The reflection in the mirror is no longer a source of pleasure, the problem areas are too much in the centre of our critical gaze. What’s more, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find suitable clothes in the wardrobe, as trousers and skirts stretch uncomfortably over the bum and thighs. Do you feel the same way? Then you may be suffering from so-called ‘saddlebags’. This refers to fat pads that have formed in the thigh area in particular and cause disproportionate bulges in clothing.

To make matters worse, these pads cannot be combated by dieting, endurance sports or targeted gymnastics. If pain, sensitivity to pressure and an increased tendency to bruising are added to this, it could possibly be a case of lipedema. This is because the chronic fat distribution disorder often occurs in the thigh area and causes saddlebags there.

In this blog article, you will find out how saddlebags develop, what the term means and what options there are for getting rid of fat deposits.

What are saddlebags?

The rather colloquially used term saddlebags is actually derived from a specific item of clothing. It refers to special trousers worn by riders in equestrian sports. At a time when fabrics were not as elasticated as they are today, these trousers were cut with plenty of freedom of movement in the outer thigh area. And so that they fitted better into the long riding boots, the trouser legs were tight-fitting from around knee height. This resulted in rather shapeless breeches with functional properties.

The visual appearance of historical riding clothing can be transferred almost 1:1 to a well-known condition that affects many women. Fat pads can form on the outer thighs and buttocks. On the other hand, the lower legs appear rather slim or normally proportioned. The body silhouette of affected women thus resembles the classic saddlebags.

Depending on the origin and accompanying symptoms of the fat deposits, it may be due to obesity or a disease of the fatty tissue. A symmetrical distribution on both legs that is resistant to diet and exercise could be lipedema. The chronic fat distribution disorder often occurs on the arms and legs. It often takes the form of saddlebags. The fatty tissue disorder is usually accompanied by pain, sensitivity to pressure and an increased tendency to bruising. It is also possible to have so-called limb lipohypertrophy, a genetic fat distribution anomaly that leads to more fatty tissue being stored in the legs than in other areas of the body.

However, saddlebags lipedema is not the result of a lack of exercise or an excessive lifestyle with rich and unhealthy food. Rather, it is a disease of the fatty tissue which, according to scientific assumptions, is caused by a predisposition. Lipedema is often observed in families where susceptibility is inherited from generation to generation. However, there is still no reliable evidence for this.

Who is affected by saddlebags?

Saddlebags are a problem that almost exclusively affects women and young girls. They often form during hormonal changes in the body, for example during puberty, hormonal contraception (the pill), pregnancy or the menopause. The two hormones progesterone and oestrogen play a decisive role here. The female hormone oestrogen in particular plays a central role when it comes to the distribution of fatty tissue. The distribution of fat in the female body is disturbed by hormonal fluctuations or phases of change. If lipedema is present, the altered oestrogen balance can cause a flare-up and worsen the symptoms. If there is a predisposition to lipedema, however, it could become the trigger for the disease.

It is often observed that lipedema is passed on from grandmother to mother and daughter within the family due to genetics. However, not every woman in the family is automatically affected. The disease often skips a generation and does not break out.

Why are saddlebags so persistent?

Whether the unloved saddlebags can be combated often depends on the cause. If there is a fat distribution disorder, dietary measures or special exercise therapy usually do not have the desired effect. The diseased fat cells are extremely stubborn and can only rarely be reduced slightly, even with general weight loss. Simply training saddlebags away does not work.

Lipedema is therefore a phenomenon, especially on the legs. Affected women can have an otherwise slim and athletic body and still develop relatively wide hips with thick thighs. Nevertheless, special diets and a tailored exercise programme can help to alleviate the symptoms of lipoedema. Conversely, being generally overweight or obese can have a negative effect on lipedema and exacerbate the symptoms. More on this in the chapter ‘Prevention of saddlebags’.

Clinical picture of the fat distribution disorder

Lipedema could be the cause of a diagnosed saddlebags syndrome. The chronic fat distribution disorder occurs symmetrically on the thighs, hips and buttocks, while the knees and lower legs may appear slim. Other typical signs include pain in the affected areas of the body as well as increased sensitivity to touch and pressure. The legs feel heavy and ache both under stress and at rest. Women also often report a feeling of coldness. If bruising develops quickly even with light bumps, this is another indication of lipedema.

Stages of saddlebags / lipoedema

Lipedema in the form of saddlebags can be divided into four different stages, which are characterised by mild to severe restrictions and discomfort. Pain can occur at any stage and with varying intensity.

• In stage I lipedema, the skin on the thighs is usually still smooth. Thickened fatty tissue may already be forming in the subcutaneous tissue. The body shape changes.
• Stage II lipedema is characterised by individually pronounced fat pads that are perceived as fine ‘noodles’ under the skin. The silhouette of the saddlebags becomes more and more pronounced.
• In stage III lipedema, the fatty tissue on the thighs has spread and the circumference has increased considerably. At this stage, the impairments are already very severe.
• If lipedema remains untreated for a long time, lymphoedema can also develop, which leads to fluid accumulation. Specialists refer to this fourth stage as lipo-lymphoedema.

Preventing saddlebags – what can I do?

To prevent saddlebags that are not caused by lipedema, there are basically no countermeasures that can prevent the disease from breaking out. Nevertheless, women with a family history of chronic fat distribution disorders can take preventative measures to reduce the risk of developing the disease. The following approaches are recommended:

• Regular exercise that is easy on the joints, such as cycling, swimming or yoga.
• Wear compression clothing during sport. This counteracts water retention in many types of sport and promotes blood circulation.
• Avoid being severely overweight by eating too many calories. This relieves the strain on tissue and joints in the long term.

It is important to know that these measures are no guarantee that lipedema will not develop. However, they can help to alleviate the symptoms from the outset.

What helps against saddlebags?

Firstly, a clear diagnosis is of crucial importance. The reason for the development of saddlebags must be found out and whether it is a disease. If lipedema is present on the thighs, it is not always easy to make a reliable diagnosis.
There are many tissue disorders that have similar symptoms.Lipedema has also not yet been fully researched.However, specialists can use certain tests and their experience to recognise or rule out a chronic fatty tissue disorder with a high degree of certainty.Once the diagnosis has been made, treatment can be personalised and tailored to the degree of the disease/complaints.

Generally, conservative treatment methods are initially used to treat saddlebags. They primarily serve to alleviate the symptoms and improve the quality of life. Manual lymphatic drainage also promotes fluid transport in the affected areas of the body.
Symptoms can be further reduced with the appropriate exercise therapy and special exercises against saddlebags, provided there is no clinical picture.

These measures help to slow down the progression of the disease and reduce saddlebags that are not caused by the disease.However, they cannot cure lipedema.A permanent improvement is only possible through surgery, in which the diseased fatty tissue is specifically removed.
Liposuction for lipedema is the only effective method to combat the disease.

Surgical removal of saddlebags

Liposuction is a recognised treatment method for saddlebags caused by lipedema. It is important that the procedure is performed by an experienced specialist who specialises in lipedema.
This is the only way to achieve optimal results and avoid the risk of complications or relapses.

During professional liposuction, the diseased fatty tissue on the thighs and other problem areas is removed gently and effectively.
This not only leads to an aesthetic improvement in body image, but also reduces the discomfort associated with the disease, such as pain and heaviness.This is very likely to improve your quality of life.

Conclusion: removing saddlebags – permanently and holistically

The phenomenon of saddlebags on the legs is a burden for many women, as it is an aesthetic and everyday burden that can also be painful. If it is a chronic fat distribution disorder called lipedema, diet and exercise will not help patients.
In this case, targeted measures such as compression, lymphatic drainage and finally liposuction help to achieve a lasting improvement.

A reliable diagnosis is the first step in sustainably combating the physical and emotional impairments and initiating effective treatment methods. Early detection of the problem is crucial for this.

This is why you should contact a lipedema specialist directly if you suspect you have lipedema.
At the LIPOCURA® treatment centres, our specialists will support you with their comprehensive expertise and many years of experience. We practise a holistic treatment concept in which we not only look at the directly affected regions, but also consider the entire body and your life circumstances. Let our specialists provide you with personalised advice tailored to your needs. We are there for you with a high level of expertise and understanding.