Lipedema Fat Vs. Regular Fat – Do I Have A Medical Condition?

Lipedema is a medical condition that involves abnormal fatty tissue deposits. For this reason, doctors often misdiagnose it as obesity. However, when you consider lipedema fat vs. regular fat, there are several differences. Although both conditions can have a similar appearance at first glance, when you look more closely, they are very different. If you’re wondering whether you’re suffering from lipedema or whether you’re just obese, read on to find out more.

A Different Distribution

The first difference between regular obesity and lipedema is the distribution of fat. In the early stages of lipedema, it’s difficult to tell whether you have the condition or whether you’re just fat. However, as the condition progresses, the pattern of fat distribution associated with lipedema becomes clear.

Lipedema typically affects the lower body. This means that a sufferer could have a much larger lower body than upper body. A lipedema sufferer’s lower body could be a size 14, but her upper body could be a size 8. This would be very unlikely in someone who is obese. Usually, when someone is obese, there is a relatively even distribution of fat. 

No Effect on The Feet 

When people are obese, the condition is equally likely to affect their ankles and feet. Meanwhile, people with lipedema usually have a cuff of fat around their ankles. Their feet will continue to look normal. In those who have arms affected by lipedema, there will be a cuff of fat around their wrists. Their hands will continue to look completely normal. Again, this is very different from regular obesity, where hands will be equally fat as the wrists.

Pain and Discomfort

Although lipedema fat and regular fat can both reduce the sufferer’s mobility, there are differences when it comes to pain. When people are obese, they are unlikely to experience any pain or discomfort when they touch their fat. However, in people with lipedema, the fat can be uncomfortable or even painful when touched. They may also bruise easily on the affected areas, something that won’t happen with regular fat. 

Texture 

In the early stages of lipedema, the fat will often look and feel the same as fat associated with obesity. Yet, even at Stage 1, there may be some differences in texture. A person may feel nodules under the skin. While the fat will still feel soft, it will feel different to the upper body. As the disease progresses, the difference in color and texture will become more noticeable. Fatty lumps the size of a fist may appear, and the skin may begin to look discolored and mottled. Fatty nodes will also now start to be obvious under the skin. Eventually, in cases of lipedema, the skin will become hardened and thick. Again, this will not happen in cases of regular obesity.

Diagnosing Lipedema

Lipedema can look very much like regular fat, especially in its early stages of development. It can, therefore, be difficult to spot at first, even for a doctor. However, as the condition worsens, as it eventually will, the difference in lipedema fat vs. regular fat becomes more obvious. If you suspect you have lipedema, getting an early diagnosis will enable you to get treatment more quickly. 

Here at Artistic Lipo and Plastic Surgery, we are specialists in liposuction for lipedema. Dr. Su is an expert in the field who can help reduce your pain and discomfort. Lipo for lipedema can restore mobility and improve the appearance of the affected areas. This can help boost confidence and self-esteem and improve your quality of life. Contact our friendly, expert team today, and find out how we can help you.