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Are you bothered by inexplicable pressure pains, as well as those unsightly swellings that spoil the overall aesthetic appearance of your otherwise slim body? Diets are ineffective and you ask yourself, “What’s the problem?”. It can’t be Lipedema, because only overweight people get it, right? Wrong! Slim women can also be affected by Lipedema. The chronic fat distribution disorder, which usually occurs during puberty or after hormonal changes, develops regardless of body weight, but is often associated exclusively with being overweight. This makes it particularly difficult to diagnose in slim people. An incorrect or late diagnosis means that those affected often do not receive adequate help for a long time and have to wait for the right treatment.
In this article, you will find out why Lipedema is so often overlooked in slim women, how the condition can manifest itself and what treatment options are available to you. We also shed light on the psychological challenges that many sufferers face and show how specialized treatment can help.
Lipedema is often overlooked or misdiagnosed, especially in relatively slim women. This is particularly problematic when those around them and even doctors dismiss the symptoms as aesthetic problems. As the condition is usually associated with being overweight, many doctors initially suspect other causes, such as cellulite or saddlebags. In addition, not every doctor specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of Lipedema.
Women who suffer from unexplained pain, swelling or hematoma formation, mainly on the upper and lower extremities, should therefore consult a specialist who is specifically familiar with Lipedema, such as
These experienced specialists are better able to differentiate between Lipedema and other diseases of the fatty tissue and thus make the correct diagnosis. However, always listen to your gut feeling and get a second opinion if in doubt. You can read more about what else is important when choosing a doctor under Which doctor can help me with Lipedema?
Lipedema often manifests itself through very specific symptoms that are noticeable to those affected because, for example, the proportions do not match the rest of the body and can cause various complaints. Typical symptoms include painful, symmetrical accumulations of fat on the legs and arms that do not disappear despite dieting and exercise. In slim people, for example, the ratio of a slim upper body to more voluminous extremities can be noticeable. Other symptoms include pressure pain, a feeling of tension in the affected limbs and the rapid formation of hematomas for no apparent reason.
If you notice persistent pain, hardening or feelings of pressure, tension and cold in certain areas of the body, your proportions do not correspond to your usual appearance and you suspect Lipedema, it is advisable to consult a specialist. The earlier Lipedema can be diagnosed, the sooner treatment can be tailored to you.
At LIPOCURA® we have developed a special self-test for an initial assessment. The result of this test can be taken into account in a personal consultation in order to make an informed diagnosis.
Whether slim or not, treatment of lipoedema is important to prevent the disease from progressing. If left untreated, Lipedema can progress over the years and lead to further symptoms, such as lipo-lymphoedema. Treatment options include conservative measures and minimally invasive surgical procedures.
Conservative treatment options primarily include compression therapy and manual lymphatic drainage. Compression therapy involves wearing special compression garments that exert even pressure on the affected tissue and can therefore reduce the formation of oedema and support lymph flow. Manual lymphatic drainage, a special massage technique, also helps to remove accumulated fluid in the tissue and reduce swelling. These measures can alleviate the symptoms and make mobility and everyday life easier for those affected. However, these conservative methods do not change the distribution of fat in the body. They have a symptom-relieving effect, but not a causal one, and do not result in a permanent reduction of the abnormally altered fatty tissue.
Liposuction for Lipedema is considered to be the only method to date for permanently removing the diseased fat cells and thus both alleviating the noticeable discomfort and taking the aesthetic aspect into account. However, this procedure should only be carried out by experienced specialists who understand and can take into account the special features of lipoedema. At LIPOCURA®, we perform liposuction using the tumescent technique with the particularly tissue-sparing PAL technique (PAL = power assisted liposuction). With the help of vibration-assisted liposuction, we completely detach the diseased fatty tissue and remove it permanently.
Slender women with Lipedema usually have a lower overall percentage of abnormally altered fatty tissue. This fat is often distributed over smaller but still noticeable areas, such as the thighs, knees or upper arms. As a result, the affected body regions appear disproportionate compared to the rest of the slim physique. It requires a particularly high degree of precision for the surgeon to create a seamless transition between diseased and healthy tissue.
Many slim women with Lipedema are faced with the question: “What’s wrong with me?” They often feel misunderstood and not taken seriously by doctors and those around them. As Lipedema is often associated with being overweight, others may not suspect a disease, but a purely aesthetic issue. The stigma “too slim for a disease” makes everyday life difficult for many of these women. The constant pressure to justify themselves and the feeling of not being taken seriously can lead to social isolation, self-doubt and even depression.
Targeted education of those around them is therefore all the more important. Misunderstandings can be reduced by sharing trustworthy information and, if necessary, involving a caregiver in discussions with the doctor. Sharing information in the constantly growing Lipedema community also helps to find understanding and support.
For many slim patients, there is also the question of whether they are even eligible for liposuction. Body weight is less important than the severity of the symptoms and the localization of the affected fatty tissue. Modern diagnostic procedures such as the 3D scan “MyLIPOAvatar” enable precise planning for liposuction in order to permanently alleviate the symptoms.
At LIPOCURA®, we know and understand the complaints, concerns and needs of Lipedema patients. We know that the chronic fat distribution disorder can occur in both slim and fuller women, and we address the individual needs of patients with a detailed and holistic diagnosis. During a detailed consultation, our specialists take a thorough medical history and discuss previous symptoms and complaints.
The diagnosis of lipoedema in slim women requires particular care, as the fat distribution is often more subtle. We therefore rely on a combination of specialized examinations to precisely identify the disease:
These diagnostic procedures are designed to detect even subtle signs of lipoedema in slim women that might otherwise be overlooked.
Early diagnosis is particularly important for slim women, as Lipedema is often only recognized at an advanced stage when symptoms increase and everyday life is significantly impaired. If Lipedema is diagnosed early, conservative measures such as compression therapy and lymphatic drainage can alleviate the symptoms at an early stage and slow down the progression of the disease. In addition, a timely diagnosis enables early planning of liposuction for Lipedema, which not only reduces the symptoms in the long term, but also reduces the psychological burden on those affected.
Do you have further questions about dealing with Lipedema, its diagnosis and treatment? We will be happy to answer them. Feel free to make an appointment for a personal consultation with our LIPODOCS.
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