If you’re dissatisfied with the appearance of your lower body, you may be worried that you are suffering from lipedema. When your legs are disproportionately large compared with your upper body, this could be the case. So, how do you tell if you have lipedema or just fat legs? Here, we take a look at some of the differences.
Lipedema patients often face prejudice. Even if they eat healthily and exercise, they are often accused of being fat and lazy. This simply isn’t the case. For most lipedema sufferers, there is nothing they can do to reduce the fat on their legs.
The Dangers of Obesity
Someone who is obese has an unhealthy and extreme body weight. The World Health Organization (WTO) states that anyone with a BMI of more than 30kg/m2 is obese. However, you also need to consider other factors. The waist-to-hip ratio and stomach circumference are also key indicators of obesity. People who are obese often suffer from secondary health problems. They may have diabetes, fatty livers or hypertension.
People who are obese can lower their body weights by exercising and eating healthily. Lipedema sufferers cannot. This often leads them to stop trying, and they, then, gain weight. As a result, the extra fatty tissue puts a strain on the body and lymphatic system. This leads to a condition called lipo-lymphodema.
How Is Lipedema Different from Obesity?
It’s very hard to spot the difference between obesity and lipedema. This is why many sufferers ask whether they have lipedema or just fat legs. However, there are some signs to look out for. In those suffering from lipedema, there will be extra fat on the buttocks, hips, and legs. Usually, the upper body will remain slim. In the case of obese people, there is extra fat around the whole body.
Lipedema is a hereditary condition. If it affects any of your family members, chances are it may affect you as well. Also, lipedema sufferers experience pain with pressure and bruise easily. Meanwhile, obese people without lipedema do not experience those symptoms.
I Think I Have Lipedema, What Can I Do?
Obesity and lipedema have one thing in common. Both are chronic diseases. Eating healthily and exercising more will help to reduce the symptoms of lipedema. However, the only real treatment is liposuction. This removes the fat cells permanently from the affected areas so the lower body can regain a normal appearance.
If you’re wondering whether you have lipedema or just fat legs, it’s important to seek medical advice. If you, then, receive a diagnosis of lipedema, you can seek treatment at an early stage. Here at Artistic Lipo and Plastic Surgery, we can carry out lipedema liposuction to remove the diseased fat cells. This can help to bring relief from pain and discomfort. It can also restore your self-confidence by helping to give you the slimmer, normal-looking legs you desire. Contact our expert team today and find out more about how we can help you.
Dr. Thomas Su, is the owner and cosmetic surgeon of Artistic Lipo. He has led our full-time clinic specializing in awake-only liposuction since 2007. Dr. Su began his medical career in internal medicine, practicing that until 2005, when he began to provide a full spectrum of non-invasive cosmetic procedures.
